Overview
Samoa is a Polynesian country northeast of Fiji. Samoa consists of four inhabited islands and several smaller, uninhabited islands. The capital and economic hub Apia is located on Upolu, the most populous of the islands. Upolu and Savai'i, the other main island, account for 99 per cent of Samoa's 205,557 population (2021).
In 1962, Samoa became the first Pacific Island country to achieve independence.
Political overview
Samoa is a parliamentary democracy. Samoa's constitution and its political system take substantial account of Samoan traditions and culture.
Samoa's Head of State, His Highness Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aleto’a Sualauvi II, was sworn in on 21 July 2017.
The National Legislative Assembly is elected by universal suffrage for five-year terms, with all seats reserved for matai – people who have chiefly status in Samoa's villages. The Prime Minister is the Hon La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt following an election on 29 August 2025.
Samoa was the first Pacific island country to introduce a constitutional reform guaranteeing women's political representation. In 2013, it passed legislation reserving a minimum of 10 per cent of parliamentary seats for women. The mechanism was first applied at the 2016 election and has since become a significant milestone for women’s political participation in the region.
Samoa has an independent judiciary and a separate court to resolve disputes over customary land and traditional titles.
Bilateral relations
The Independent State of Samoa and Australia established diplomatic relations on 31 March 1971.
Australia and Samoa are close partners with a longstanding relationship that is underpinned by mutual respect and trust. The partnership’s foundation and future direction are set out in The Australia-Samoa Bilateral Partnership Arrangement [Ole Fala Folasia I Lo Ta Va – The Map that Guides Us], launched by Prime Minister Albanese and then Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa in March 2023. The Map commits to strengthening cooperation through strategic alignment in diplomatic, development and economic engagement across five priority areas, with cooperation to be guided by shared principles.
Economic overview
Samoa’s economy – valued at approximately AUD 1.76 billion in 2024 – is underpinned by key sectors including tourism, services and agriculture. Tourism is a major driver of economic activity, contributing to around 20 per cent of GDP.
Remittances form another critical pillar of the economy, accounting for around 24 per cent of GDP in 2024. Samoa has one of the largest diasporas in the Pacific. Around 80 per cent of Samoan households receiving remittances from Samoans working abroad (primarily Australia, New Zealand and the United States). Foreign development assistance in the form of grants and direct aid also plays an important role in supporting national development and public services.
Approximately 60 per cent of the population is employed informally, working in subsistence agriculture or local commercial ventures.
Samoa's economy was heavily impacted by COVID-19, but demonstrated strength and resilience in its recovery. Tourism rebounded strongly following the reopening of international borders in August 2022, with visitors to Samoa in 2023 reaching 113.9 per cent of 2018-19 levels.
Trade and investment
Australia is a significant export destination and source of imports for Samoa. Major exports to Samoa include ships, boats, medical equipment and medicines, meat and dairy products.
ANZ Bank has a commercial bank in Samoa.
Find out more information about Australia’s trade and investment with Samoa [PDF].
People-to-people links
Labour Mobility
Samoa participates in the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, which enables Samoan workers to develop skills, earn an income and support their families by working in Australian critical sectors. As of November 2025 there were 2,550 Samoan workers in Australia under the PALM scheme. The PALM scheme makes significant contributions to sustaining Samoa’s economic growth and resilience by facilitating flows of remittances and delivering a skills dividend. The PALM scheme also helps create strong links between people, business, and communities, fostering deeper connections between Australia and Samoa.
Australia values its long-standing labour mobility partnership with Samoa. Australia is committed to working with Samoa to ensure participation in the scheme continues to yield mutual benefit. For more information on the PALM scheme, visit the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme website.
Samoa participated in the Pacific Engagement Visa program for the first time in the 2025-2026 round. For more information, including on how to apply, visit the Pacific Engagement Visa Support Service website.
Security cooperation
Australia and Samoa enjoy a strong security partnership. In 2009, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Samoa Police, Prisons and Corrections Service (SPPCS) signed the Samoa-Australia Policing Partnership (SAPP) to enhance the performance and responsiveness of the SPPCS. The AFP currently has three members deployed to Samoa, including one member supporting the Pacific Transnational Crime Coordination Centre in Apia.
The Australian Defence Force also supports Samoa's maritime security through the Pacific Maritime Security Program (PMSP). Samoa’s newest Guardian Class Patrol Boat Nafanua III, gifted through the PMSP arrived in Apia on 19 January 2024.
Diaspora
The 2021 census recorded over 98,000 Australians identifying themselves as of Samoan ancestry. There are a number of high-profile Australians with Samoan heritage who compete as professional athletes, especially in netball, rugby and rugby league. Due to the large Samoan diaspora in Australia, there are significant church, institution, and community links.
New Colombo Plan
Since 2014, the New Colombo Plan has awarded eight scholarships and 804 mobility grants for Australian undergraduates to undertake study, language training and internships in Samoa.
Australia Awards
Australia supports Samoa in developing a skilled workforce through Australia Award scholarships, which enable Samoans to study at tertiary institutions in Australia and across the region. These scholarships equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to contribute to Samoa's development.
Australia Awards are offered in priority fields such as science, health, education and engineering. Graduates are in strong demand when they return home. Since 2007, more than 500 Samoan Australia Award alumni have completed qualifications that help address skills gaps across the workforce.
A 2011 study by the Lowy Institute found that 25 per cent of Samoa's leaders had received a tertiary scholarship funded by Australia, highlighting the significant contribution that this program has made in expanding learning and leadership opportunities for Samoans.
High level visits
See High level visits to Samoa
Development Assistance
Australia's partnership with Samoa is grounded in shared values, respect and mutual benefit. Australia is Samoa's largest donor, with our enduring commitment to Samoa's development reflected in the establishment of long-term locally led programs designed to directly respond to Samoa's priorities.