Australia’s development partnership with Vanuatu

2025-26 bilateral allocation [budget estimate]: $50.0 million
2025-26 total Australian ODA [budget estimate]: $85.6 million
2024-25 bilateral allocation [budget estimate]: $50.0 million
2024-25 total Australian ODA [budget estimate]: $83.2 million
2023-24 total Australian ODA [actual]: $88.1 million

Australia is Vanuatu's largest development and humanitarian partner. Our support is aligned with the Government of Vanuatu's development priorities, including priorities outlined in Vanuatu's National Sustainable Development Plan 2016 – 2030 [PDF].

Our programs are delivering quality outcomes across a range of sectors including education, skills, health, policing, justice, governance, economic development, infrastructure, climate resilience, GEDSI and humanitarian recovery.

We are working with the Government of Vanuatu and other partners to support improved essential services in sectors critical to Vanuatu's economic and social development, with a particular focus on supporting women and children and people with disabilities. Our programs champion local systems, organisations and communities to ensure local ownership and long-term sustainability.

As Vanuatu's close humanitarian partner, we are committed to working to support Vanuatu's recovery from the 17 December 2024 earthquake and successive cyclones in recent years including tropical cyclones Judy, Kevin and Lola in 2023, and to help build Vanuatu's resilience against future disasters and the impacts of climate change.

Australia is working with the Government of Vanuatu to implement Australia's new International Development Policy, including developing a Vanuatu Development Partnership Plan. Key commitments of this policy including genuine and respectful partnerships, strengths-based approaches, climate change, gender equality and inclusion, localisation, civil society, 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 Policy — which is focused on three key pillars for recovery - health security, stability and economic recovery. Country specific details are outlined in the Vanuatu COVID-19 Development Response Plan.

Pillar 1 – health security

Australia is Vanuatu's largest health sector partner, and we are working to support Vanuatu's efforts to improve delivery of equitable, accessible and better-quality essential health services. Our support is increasing the availability and quality of primary and clinical care, supporting immunisation, preventing and treating non-communicable diseases, and addressing vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue . We are committed to supporting improved health outcomes for the most vulnerable, particularly women and girls.

We are partnering with Vanuatu's Ministry of Health and with regional and multilateral organisations like the World Health Organisation on emergency health preparedness and response systems, and with the Pacific Community on medical workforce training. We also partner with Non-Government Organisations on social protection and water and sanitation issues, to help improve health services for all ni-Vanuatu.

Pillar 2 – stability

Vanuatu's economic recovery requires a foundation of stability and security as well as a well-educated population. Australia is working with Vanuatu to strengthen key legal and justice institutions (informal and formal) including the Vanuatu Police Force (VPF) and Vanuatu judicial agencies, with a focus on improving access to justice and police services for women, youth and people with disability. Our policing support is helping strengthen operational capabilities, organisational leadership, and management of the VPF. We also work with a range of partners to reduce the prevalence of violence against women and children, and to increase access to counselling support and legal services.

Our ongoing support in the education and skills sector is helping ensure all ni-Vanuatu children can access quality education, with a focus on improving literacy and numeracy, as well as helping to maintain continuity of learning through disaster events. This includes rebuilding disaster and climate resilient classrooms following the December 2024 earthquake and Tropical Cyclones in 2023. Our Australian Awards scholarships, as well as expanding women's economic empowerment and leadership programs, will also improve economic opportunities for ni-Vanuatu women and men.

Vanuatu is one of the most 'at-risk' countries to natural hazards in the world including cyclones, earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions. Australia is Vanuatu's primary humanitarian partner and is committed to supporting Vanuatu build its climate and disaster resilience, response and recovery capabilities.

In response to the December 2024 earthquake in Vanuatu, Australia provided $28 million humanitarian and recovery assistance including the deployment of emergency medical and search and rescue teams, relief supplies, and funding to support the restoration of critical services and infrastructure.

In 2023, Australia provided over $17.6 million towards Tropical Cyclones Judy, Kevin and Lola response and recovery activities including providing humanitarian supplies, supporting livelihoods and food security and repairing health, education and transport infrastructure.

Pillar 3 – economic recovery

Australia and Vanuatu are close economic partners and we are committed to supporting Vanuatu to realise its economic security and pursue transformative, sustainable and inclusive growth.

We are delivering a range of quality climate-resilient infrastructure in Vanuatu to improve livelihoods and drive economic growth. This includes rural roads that are linking communities to markets and government services. Our infrastructure programs provide skills training and local employment, supporting Vanuatu's businesses and contributing to economic growth.

Australia is supporting the Government of Vanuatu to strengthen governance and the delivery of government services including in areas such as public financial management and procurement. Australia is also providing sectoral and general budget support to help support Vanuatu's fiscal stability and deliver government services and critical reforms.

We are also supporting the Government of Vanuatu's desire to connect to the international economy, including through increased trade, tourism and investment from DFAT's regional economic prosperity programs. Our engagement with Vanuatu's private sector is also helping businesses diversify and grow.