Central to Australia and Tuvalu's shared vision of mobility with dignity is investing so that Tuvaluans can stay and thrive in their homeland. To make this possible, we will continue support in critical sectors including health and education; focus on promoting gender equality, deepen our sporting and church connections; and increase our focus on culture. This will be reinforced by efforts to deepen connections between our countries and enhance Tuvalu's resilience.
Education
Australia and Tuvalu recognise that access to quality education is a foundation for opportunity and development. Australia is supporting education through the Tuvalu and Australia Partnership for Quality Education. It aims to:
- improve primary school literacy and numeracy teaching
- • strengthen the quality and relevance of secondary education and additional education opportunities for girls and boys, including learners with disability
- improve the quality of secondary and vocational education, and the Ministry of Education and Human Resource's people and systems.
Australia will continue to provide scholarships for Tuvaluan students to study at tertiary institutions in Australia and the Pacific. Through Australia Awards Scholarships, Australia will support emerging Tuvaluan leaders to develop skills and strengthen contributions to their nation's development and prosperity.
Tuvalu is engaging in Australia’s regional skills program, Pacific Australia Skills (2025-2029), which is supporting skills for employment and preparing people for opportunities at home and across the region.
Health
Australia will continue to invest in programs to deliver essential health services and strengthen health systems in Tuvalu. Australia is working closely with the Pacific Community (SPC) to improve secondary health care and clinical governance at the Princess Margaret Hospital, and is supporting women’s health through the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) and Tuvalu Family Health Association partnership; as well as strengthening digital health records.
We are committed to working with Tuvalu on shared health priorities and are designing a new bilateral health partnership to commence in 2025–26, building on our existing key areas of support. We will also expand our support to meet Tuvalu's health workforce, equipment, and medical supply needs so that more essential services can be delivered in country, reducing the costs of overseas medical referrals.
Sport
We will continue support to promote Tuvalu's sporting ambitions at both the community and elite levels. This includes PacificAus Sports, the development pathway for Tuvaluan teams and athletes to compete in elite competition and access high-performance coaching in Australia and internationally, and Australia’s sports for development program, Team Up. We will continue to look for opportunities to support community sport and disability and social inclusion in Tuvalu.n.
Church Partnerships
Through the Pacific Church Partnership Program, we will continue to engage with church leaders in Tuvalu on development outcomes for their communities and build the capacity of emerging leaders to tackle key challenges in the region. With strong indigenous participation, our church partnerships strengthen connections between Australian and Tuvaluan communities, building on the longstanding cultural and spiritual links between Australian First Nations and Pacific peoples..