Summary of publication
The 2025 Independent Review of the Pacific Security College (College) was commissioned by DFAT and conducted by Strategic Development Group between July and October 2025. The 2025 Review takes in the College's operations from 2022 to 2025 and assesses progress toward implementing recommendations from an Independent Mid-term Review of the College commissioned by DFAT in 2021, which reviewed the College's operations July 2019-2022. The 2025 Review also assesses progress toward the College's intermediate and end of program outcomes, and the College's overall effectiveness – including to what degree the College and its offerings are recognised by stakeholders as addressing Pacific Island Forum countries' security requirements. The 2025 Review will inform a Design Update for the next phase of Australia's investment in the College (October 2026 – September 2034) ahead of the conclusion of the College's current investment term in September 2026.
DFAT's Management Response addresses the findings and recommendations of the 2025 Review.
The College was designed to assist Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) members with implementation of the 2018 Boe Declaration on Regional Security, which affirms Pacific leaders' expanded concept of security, inclusive of both traditional and non-traditional security issues. Launched in November 2019, the College contributes to strengthening regional security through education and enhanced people-to-people relationships, including facilitating training for Pacific security officials, as well as table-top exercises, workshops and conferences attended by regional and national security specialists. The College also supports PIF members to identify security priorities and provides technical assistance to Pacific Island countries to develop and implement national security policies. The College is currently delivered by the Australian National University. Initially funded through an Official Development Assistance (ODA) commitment of $15 million from July 2019 to September 2022, the ANU's contract to deliver the College was extended to September 2026, with ODA funding of$4.2 million per year.
Report
- Pacific Security College Program Review [DOCX 413 KB]
- Pacific Security College Program Review [PDF 815 KB]