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 change action, 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.

Pillar 1 – Health Security

Australia is working with Nauru to support Nauru's broader health plans, including funding technical experts, training and infrastructure to support the Ministry of Health and Medical Services. Commencing in FY2024-25, a new health program, 'Raña Tsimorum' ($50 million, 2024-2034) will be implemented to strengthen Nauru's health system to support specific population groups. Key outcomes of the new program include: a stronger health system through health strengthening interventions, more efficient and effective delivery of quality health services including public health, and improved health outcomes focusing on demand as prioritised in the National Health Strategy.

Pillar 2 – Stability

Australia is contributing to the stability of Nauru and its people, through partnership with the Nauru Police Force, through climate-resilient infrastructure, and through the significant education program.

As Nauru's primary security partner, we continue to work in partnership with Nauru to support law and order, including through the Australian Federal Police's partnership with the Nauru Police Force, and partnering with Nauru to respond to violence against women and girls. Australia and Nauru cooperate closely on shared security challenges, for example through our shared commitment to combat maritime people smuggling.

Australia is investing substantially in infrastructure, including through the Sustainable and Climate Resilient Connectivity (port) project, co-financed with the Asian Development Bank and the Green Climate Fund. Through the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP), Australia is also supporting the  Nauru Airport Runway Rehabilitation project and the East Micronesia Cable project.

Australia will continue to implement the Nauru Education Program ($20 million, 2022 - 2027), which focuses on improving student school enrolment and attendance, improving learning outcomes and strengthening systems in the Department of Education and Training.  Australia will also continue to support Australia Awards for Nauruans.

Pillar 3 –Economic Recovery

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 political governance and promote more informed and active participation of the community, particularly young people and women, in good governance, politics and public life.

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.

Gender

All DFAT development investments embed gender elements as part of the investment. With support through the UNDP Nauru Accountable and Inclusive Governance, 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.