2023-24 bilateral allocation [budget estimate]

$69.4 million

2023-24 total Australian ODA [budget estimate]

$89.9 million

2022-23 bilateral allocation [budget estimate]

$68.0 million

2022-23 total Australian ODA [budget estimate]

$85.8 million

2021-22 total Australian ODA [actual]

$130.7 million

Over more than 50-years, Australia's development partnership with the Philippines has been an important and continuing part of our relationship. It has had a longstanding focus on education, peace and security, including in Muslim Mindanao, and disaster and climate resilience. Australia also runs programs in economic growth, infrastructure, governance, law and justice, and social protection. 

Australia works at the national and community level across a range of sectors, allowing us to deepen our bilateral relationship and build enduring partnerships.

Pillar 1 – health security

Australia's development assistance seeks to improve the Philippine Government's capacity to respond to health needs that have arisen from or are exacerbated by COVID-19. Given our long-standing partnerships with key humanitarian and multilateral organisations, we are well placed to pivot our programs to deliver critical equipment and services, and support Philippine agencies to address constraints and improve their systems.

Further information on programs addressing health security in the Philippines can be found at Pillar 1 – health security in the Philippines.

Pillar 2 – stability

Australia's support to the Philippines fosters inclusive, cohesive communities and helps mitigate threats to regional security, reinforcing our strong defence and security cooperation partnerships. Our support has a substantial focus on the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), which is home to some the country's poorest and most vulnerable communities.

Australia's investments in education help ensure learning continuity for students to avoid an increase in school dropout rates, which would have long term economic and social implications. We assist with distance learning and help to train teachers to deliver classes remotely, including tailored support for learners with disabilities.

Through Australia's governance programs, we are developing a network of civil society organisations, national and local government leaders, and other stakeholders that are able to help the Philippine Government make timely COVID-19 related decisions and develop healthcare and economic policy.

Further information on programs addressing stability in the Philippines can be found at Pillar 2 – stability in the Philippines.

Pillar 3 – economic recovery

To support the Philippine Government's economic recovery program, Australia is working innovatively with key partners to strengthen policies and institutions and advance inclusive economic growth. We also work with local governments and women-led small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to increase their preparedness for and resilience to economic shocks, including impacts from climate change.

The pandemic has made more urgent the need for semi- and low-skilled workers to adapt to the emerging changes facing key Philippine industries. Australia is working with the Philippine Government and the private sector on the challenges of technological disruption, by helping identify the skills required by workers most at risk of being displaced by automation. Efforts to reskill and upskill workers will be important to boost labour competitiveness and kick-start the economy.

Further information on programs addressing economic recovery in the Philippines can be found at Pillar 3 – economic recovery in the Philippines.

Program highlights

In 2022-23, Australia's development program:

• Provided over 8.1 million COVID-19 vaccine doses (since 2020), including six million paediatric doses, as well as routine immunisation support.
• Provided $6.4 million in emergency humanitarian support to those affected by Super Typhoon Rai and Severe Tropical Storm Nalgae through UN agencies and non-government organisations.
• Improved education access to disadvantaged and remote communities in the Bangsamoro region by supporting early grade education of 6,559 girls and 6,883 boys.
• Trained 145 senior Philippine government officials through four Australia Awards short courses focused on Digital Leadership in the Public Sector, Law of the Sea, Emergency Broadcasting, and Dam Design and Safety.
• Funded research and capacity building projects to improve the productivity, competitiveness and sustainability of agri-food systems for human, environmental and economic resilience.
• Trained 109 local government officials and community members (93 per cent women and girls) to promote sexual and reproductive health and help prevent gender-based violence.
• Supported 270 women entrepreneurs (including seven with disabilities) to improve 49 micro and small enterprises.

In August 2023, Australia released a new international development policy, setting the long-term direction for our development program.

The new policy will guide Australia's future development program in the Philippines.