To support Laos build human capital, our development partnership will focus on outcomes that deliver:
- Improved teaching practices that are responsive to students' needs – including the needs of ethnic minority children and children with disabilities – and support gender equality
- Improved capacity of targeted Lao organisations to build inclusive human resource development practices in line with the National Human Resource Development Strategy
- Support for health systems to prevent, detect, and respond to emerging infectious and non-infectious disease threats.
Australia will deliver human capital investments that assist Laos' socio-economic development, build leadership capacity, people-to-people and institutional linkages, and strengthen Laos' capacity to effectively engage in the Mekong sub-region, ASEAN and beyond.
This objective will be delivered through Australia's basic education and human resource development programs, including Australia Award Scholarships and alumni engagement. Our health sector support will primarily be delivered through regional and global programs, with bilateral support to help address the growing climate-linked problem of dengue fever in urban areas.
Basic Education Quality & Access in Lao PDR program Phase 2 (BEQUAL 2)
$52.7 million (2022-2028)
Basic education, including long-term investment in literacy and numeracy, is the critical foundation upon which secondary and tertiary education, skilled employment and economic development is built. BEQUAL improves primary students' learning outcomes by improving teaching quality. The program is strengthening its focus on inequality by going beyond gender mainstreaming and social inclusion, promoting inclusive education and supporting long-term change by improving spoken Lao skills for Grade 1 students who do not speak Lao.
Related documents
| Name of document | Year published | Type |
|---|---|---|
| BEQUAL Investment Design Document | 2014 | Design |
| BEQUAL Mid-Term Review Report and Mid-Term Review Response | 2018 | Review |
| BEQUAL Phase 1 Independent End of Program Review Report and Management Response | 2022 | Review |
| BEQUAL Phase 2 Investment Design Document | 2022 | Design |
| Mid-Term Review (MTR) of the Basic Education Quality and Access in Lao PDR (BEQUAL) Phase 2 | 2025 | Review |
Related link
Basic Education Quality and Access in Lao PDR
Laos Australia Institute (LAI) Phase 3
$32.0 million (2021-2026)
The Laos Australia Institute is Australia’s human resource development (HRD) program in Laos which implements Australia Awards Scholarships, short courses, targeted leadership capacity building, technical assistance and alumni engagement activities. Building on more than a decade of cooperation on HRD, LAI strengthens human resource development to support inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development in Laos.
Related documents
| Name of document | Year published | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Laos-Australia Human Resource Development Program: Design document | 2013 | Design |
| Laos Australia Institute Phase III Program Design Document | 2022 | Design |
| Laos Australia Institute Phase 3 independent review report and management response | 2025 | Review |
| Laos Australia Institute Phase 4 Investment Design Document | 2026 | Design |
Related link
Australia-Lao PDR Human Rights Technical Cooperation Program (HRTCP) Phase 3
$2.66 million (2023-2028)
The Human Rights Technical Cooperation Program assists the Government of Laos in its efforts to protect, promote and advance human rights in Laos by providing capacity building for government officials to engage in treaty body reporting processes.
Driving Down Dengue in the Lao PDR
$8.5 million (2024-2028)
This program contributes to a reduction of dengue transmission in Laos by using the Australian-developed Wolbachia method. The population of Wolbachia-carrying A. aegypti mosquitoes is increased in target areas through tailored release efforts and community outreach. The investment supports the Lao Government and communities to participate in the Wolbachia method through gender-equitable, inclusive and climate-informed actions.
Related link
Lao PDR’s 5th Population and Housing Census 2025
$5.4 million (2023-2027)
The project provides technical support in all preparatory phases of the census. A high quality census provides high quality and reliable disaggregated population data to inform evidence-based decision and policy making at national and subnational levels, including to inform the 10th Five Year National Socio Economic Development Plan 2026-2030. Australia’s support is significantly enhancing the quality and inclusiveness of the census through the conduct of a Post Enumeration Survey with gender responsive lens.
Related link
Lao PDR’s 5th Population and Housing Census 2025
Strengthening Food and Alcohol Safety Program in Lao PDR
$1.9 million (2025-2027)
This initiative is assisting Laos to strengthen food safety and alcohol surveillance, prevention and response, and supports alcohol control law revision in Laos.
The project will improve emergency response to food and alcohol related incidents; enhance laboratory capacity to detect harmful contaminants; and strengthen nationwide inspection of alcoholic beverages.
Strengthening Policymaking and Oversight of the National Assembly and Local Assemblies in Lao PDR
$707,999 (2025-2026)
This initiative supports the National Assembly and Local People's Assemblies to strengthen their research, legislative and oversight functions, contributing to greater executive accountability, more responsive policymaking, and improved governance in Laos. The project particularly focuses on building the capacity of newly elected legislators following the 2026 elections.