2025-26 bilateral allocation [budget estimate]

$25.9 million

2025-26 total Australian ODA [budget estimate]

$46.0 million

2024-25 bilateral allocation [budget estimate]

$25.9 million

2024-25 total Australian ODA [budget estimate]

$46.0 million

2023-24 total Australian ODA [actual]

$36.9 million

Funding from these measures will be included in actual figures published in the relevant Australia's Official Development Assistance: Statistical Summary.

Australia's development cooperation aligns with the Government of Nauru National Sustainable Development Strategy (NSDS). We will work with the Government of Nauru to implement this policy and establish a Development Partnership Plan, that will replace the Nauru COVID-19 Development Response Plan.

Key commitments of the International Development Policy include genuine and respectful partnerships, strengths-based approaches, climate resilience, gender equality and inclusion (disability and social), ensuring we work with local partners in country, innovative development financing and accountability for results.

Prior to finalisation of the Development Partnership Plan, Australia continues to work within the Partnerships for Recovery: Australia's COVID-19 Development Response framework – which is focused on three key pillars for recovery – health security, stability and economic recovery.

Australia is Nauru's largest bilateral aid donor. Australia’s bilateral development assistance focuses on economic governance, education, health and infrastructure. Australia supports Nauru through regional programs including social protection, labour mobility, sport and humanitarian. 

Education

Australia is implementing the Nauru Education Program ($20 million, 2022 - 2027), which focuses on improving student enrolment, improving attendance, and supporting teachers to continue helping Nauruans access quality education. The program supports learning outcomes and strengthening systems in the Department of Education and Department of Vocational Training and Professional Development.  

Economic Governance

As Nauru's largest development partner, Australia is contributing to Nauru's economic security and resilience and working in partnership to strengthen governance.

The Nauru-Australia Partnership on Economic Governance ($60m over 8 years, 2023 – 2031) will assist the Government of Nauru to enhance and implement robust public financial management to strengthen resource allocation and the enabling environment for economic diversification.

As a member of the Nauru Intergenerational Trust Fund Committee, Australia will continue to contribute to the long-term budgetary self-reliance of Nauru. The Fund remains a mutual priority and an important mechanism to support Nauru's economic sustainability, positioning Nauru to access dividends to manage future economic transitions.

Australia also supports the UNDP Nauru Accountable and Inclusive Governance Project to support effective, inclusive and accountable governance and promote more informed and active participation of the community, particularly young people and women, in good governance, politics and public life.

Infrastructure

Australia is supporting Nauru’s infrastructure and connectivity priorities.  Australia is co-financing the Sustainable and Climate Resilient Connectivity Port Project with the Asian Development Bank and the Green Climate Fund. Through the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific), Australia is upgrading Nauru’s International Airport and investing in faster and more reliable internet through the East Micronesia submarine cable.

Health

The Raña Tsimorum program (AUD50 million, 2025-2034) is helping manage health threats, delivering inclusive and high-quality health services and supporting healthy lifestyles.
Through our One Health program with veterinary organisations, we are bringing specialized veterinary teams to help build Nauru’s capacity to respond and deal with zoonotic disease outbreaks and manage animal populations. This program conducts student outreach about animal safety and welfare.

Cross-Cutting Issues

Climate and Disaster Resilience

Australia integrates climate change into the planning and implementation of all its aid investments in Nauru. The port redevelopment project has a sustainable and climate-resilient focus. Nauru also benefits from a range of Australia's regional and global climate change investments, both through climate change and disaster risk specific programs and mainstreaming across other sectors. Australia is funding technical support from the World Food Programme to strengthen national food security governance and mechanisms.

Gender

All DFAT development investments embed gender elements as part of the investment. With support through the UNDP Nauru Accountable and Inclusive Governance Project, Women's Empowerment Nauru Association (WENA) officially registered as the first women's focused civil society organisation in Nauru in 2023. Through our health investments, we are supporting UNFPA's Transformative Agenda.