Overview
Tuvalu, formerly known as the Ellice Islands, is located midway between Hawaii and Australia in the South Pacific Ocean. It comprises nine islands (four reef islands and five coral atolls). Tuvalu's population is approximately 9,646 (World Development Indicators, 2024), with about half living on the atoll of Funafuti, which is the capital.
Political overview
Tuvalu became independent from the United Kingdom in October 1978. It is a constitutional monarchy with a 16-member unicameral parliament elected every four years. Cabinet consists of the Prime Minister, elected by a majority of the members of parliament, and several ministers. The Prime Minister is the head of government. There are no organised political parties and members usually align with informal groupings. Members of Parliament are elected by, and represent, their respective island constituencies.
Tuvalu held its general election on 26 January 2024, and final election results for all 16 seats were announced on 27 January 2024. The Hon Prime Minister Feleti Teo OBE announced the makeup of the Tuvalu Government on 28 February 2024.
His Majesty King Charles III is the Head of State and is currently represented in Tuvalu by His Excellency, Governor General, Reverend Sir Tofiga Vaevalu Falani.
Bilateral relations
The Australian Foreign Minister officially opened the Australian High Commission in Funafuti, Tuvalu on 7 February 2019. The High Commission has enabled Australia to strengthen relations with an important partner and key member of the Pacific Islands Forum. The presence of the resident High Commissioner assists to maximise the impact of our development program in Tuvalu.
The Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union treaty entered into force on 28 August 2024, a momentous step in the elevation of the long-standing partnership between our two countries. The Falepili Union is about safeguarding the future of Tuvalu’s people, identity and culture for generations to come.
Under the Treaty, Australia recognises Tuvalu’s continuing statehood and sovereignty and commits to assist Tuvalu in response to a major natural disaster, health pandemic or military aggression. Australia and Tuvalu will mutually agree on third party engagement in Tuvalu’s security and defence-related matters.
The Falepili Mobility Pathway is a new Australian Government visa that provides Tuvaluan citizens with the choice to live, work and study in Australia.
Tuvaluan Prime Minister Feleti Teo OBE officially opened the Tuvaluan High Commission in Canberra on 28 July 2025. The new diplomatic mission is supporting a growing Tuvaluan diaspora community in Australia. His Excellency Mr Samuelu Laloniu is the first Tuvalu High Commissioner to Australia.
Development partnership
More information on our development partnership with Tuvalu.
People to people links
Australia Awards
Australia and Tuvalu have a shared focus on quality education for Tuvaluan students.
Every year the Australia Awards scholarships are offered to approximately 10 Tuvaluan students to study at tertiary institutions in Australia and the Pacific. The scholarships enable students to gain the skills and knowledge needed to contribute to their country's development.
Australia Awards scholarships focus on areas of importance to Tuvalu's development, including education, health, engineering, and infrastructure suppport.
Labour mobility initiatives
Tuvalu accesses the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme which helps to fill labour gaps in rural and regional Australia by offering employers access to a pool of reliable, productive workers. It also allows Pacific and Timor-Leste workers to take up jobs in Australia, develop their skills and send income home to support their families and communities.
Australia is committed to ensuring the PALM scheme delivers for Tuvalu and plays a central role in realising Te Kete - Tuvalu's National Development Strategy.
Volunteers
The Australian Volunteers Program supports partner organisations operating across the Pacific, Asia and Africa to achieve locally-led change and the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals. The Program fosters strong connections between Australia and communities globally to contribute to achieving equitable development outcomes. The Program commenced re-engagement in Tuvalu in 2024.
Economic overview
Tuvalu is a United Nations-designated Least Developed Country. Tuvalu's remote economy is dominated by the public sector. Fishing licences and the marketing of Tuvalu's internet domain name '.tv' contribute to government revenue.
The Tuvalu Trust Fund
In 1987, the Tuvalu Government established a publicly owned investment fund to provide a safety net against fluctuations in government income. The earnings of the Tuvalu Trust Fund are used to help the government finance the gap between its annual budgeted revenue and expenditure.
The Governments of Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom have made major contributions to the Tuvalu Trust Fund, with smaller grants from Japan and the Republic of Korea. Australia is a board member of the Tuvalu Trust Fund. Revenue from the Fund supports the stability of Tuvalu’s budget and economy. It also enables the government to undertake development programs, including upgrading outer island schools and fisheries centres.
Trade and investment
Australian merchandise exports to Tuvalu in 2021-22 totalled $7.5 million. Australian currency is legal tender in Tuvalu, but Tuvalu also circulates its own coins.
High level visits
November 2025: The Hon Sir Iakoba Taeia Italeli, Speaker of the Parliament of Tuvalu, led a visit of four Tuvaluan parliamentarians to Canberra. They met with Assistant Minister for Pacific Island Affairs, the Hon Nita Green.
November 2025: Deputy Prime Minister Panapasi Nelesone visited Melbourne to attend the Tuvalu Trust Fund Board Meeting.
August 2025: The Hon Prime Minister of Tuvalu the Hon Feleti Teo OBE attended the Pacific Infrastructure Conference in Brisbane.
July 2025: Prime Minister of Tuvalu the Hon Feleti Teo OBE visited Australia to officially open the Tuvaluan High Commission. He met with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator the Hon Penny Wong, Minister for Pacific Island Affairs the Hon Pat Conroy, Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen, Minister for Home Affairs, Immigration and Citizenship, Tony Burke, and Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Hon Matt Thistlethwaite. Tuvaluan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Labour and Trade the Hon Paulson Panapa was also part of the delegation.
July 2025: Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen visited Tuvalu to deepen climate and energy partnerships and progress Australia’s bid to host COP31 in partnership with the Pacific in 2026.
December 2024: President of the Senate, Senator the Hon Sue Lines, led a cross-party delegation to Funafuti.
November 2024: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Labour and Trade the Hon Paulson Panapa, visited Australia and met with Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong, and Minister for International Development and the Pacific, the Hon Pat Conroy.
October 2024: The Hon Prime Minister of Tuvalu the Hon Feleti Teo OBE visited Australia to attend the handover of Tuvalu’s replacement Guardian-class Patrol Boat. He met with Deputy Prime Minister Marles, Minister Keogh and Assistant Minister Gorman.
August 2024: Minister of Home Affairs, Climate Change and Environment the Hon Dr Maina Talia, visited Australia and met with ministerial counterparts.
July 2024: The Hon Prime Minister Feleti Teo OBE visited Australia. He met Prime Minister the Hon Anthony Albanese, Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator the Hon Penny Wong, and Minister for International Development and the Pacific the Hon Pat Conroy.
May 2024: Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator the Hon Penny Wong and Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham visited Tuvalu to sign the Joint Statement on commitment to the Falepili Union and explanatory memorandum.
August 2023: Minister for International Development and the Pacific the Hon Pat Conroy visited Tuvalu.
June 2023: Then Governor-General, H.E General the Hon. David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), visited Tuvalu.
April 2023: Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator the Hon Penny Wong visited Tuvalu.
August 2019: Then Prime Minister of Australia the Hon Scott Morrison visited Tuvalu, and was joined by then Minister for International Development and the Pacific the Hon Alex Hawke.
February 2019: Then Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women Senator the Hon Marise Payne visited Tuvalu.
July 2015: Then Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck visited Tuvalu.
March 2012: Then Governor-General, H.E Ms Quentin Bryce visited Tuvalu. She was accompanied by then Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, the Hon Richard Marles.