Summary of publication
This report contains the findings of the independent end-of-program evaluation of the Australia Volunteers Program (the program), a ten-year (FY 2017–2027) $260 million program.
Tetra Tech International Development was commissioned by DFAT to deliver the evaluation from August 2024 to February 2025. The purpose of the evaluation was to explore efficiency, effectiveness, sustainability, relevance, and coherence of the program.
Overall, the report found the program to be effective and strategically important, building on Australia’s history of global volunteering to build relationships, contribute to development outcomes and strengthen recognition for volunteering. The report included eight recommendations to improve program delivery.
DFAT welcomes the evaluation findings. Considering that the program is in its final stage of implementation, the recommendations will inform the design and implementation of the next phase (scheduled to commence in July 2027). Further detail on implementation of recommendations is detailed in DFAT’s management response.
Full publication
- Independent Evaluation of the Australian Volunteers Program [PDF 2.2 MB]
- Independent Evaluation of the Australian Volunteers Program [DOCX 4 MB]
Management response
- Management Response to the 2025 Evaluation of the Australian Volunteers Program (2017-2027) [PDF 553 KB]
- Management Response to the 2025 Evaluation of the Australian Volunteers Program (2017-2027) [DOCX 35 KB]