Development cooperation fact sheets
November 2024
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Estimated Australian ODA 2024-25: $595.7 million
| Australian ODA | 2022-23 Actual ($m)* | 2023-24 Budget Estimate ($m)* | 2024-25 Budget Estimate ($m)* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific | 280.8 | 276.4 | 256.6 |
| Southeast Asia | 192.4 | 190.9 | 224.5 |
| South and Central Asia | 48.3 | 73.9 | 58.6 |
| Middle East and Africa | 9.2 | 9.8 | 18.8 |
| Rest of the World* | 37.1 | 26.8 | 37.4 |
| Total Education ODA | 567.8 | 577.7 | 595.7 |
*Includes ODA that is not attributed to particular countries or regions.
Movement of $6.6m from Southeast Asia to South and Central Asia (SCA) due to Mongolia's SCA reclassification.
Education is central to building a shared future with our region.
Education is a human right, a catalyst for development and a powerful driver for reducing poverty and building strong, inclusive and resilient communities.
Australia's education investments enhance the wellbeing of children and young people in Indo-Pacific partner countries and prepare them to contribute fully in their communities.
Strategic direction
Australia’s education investments support regional partners to measure progress towards SDG4 targets and identify areas for collective engagement. We are increasing our focus on evidence-based education and skills investments, especially for women, girls and people with disabilities.
We are listening and responding to partner government education priorities and the needs of schools and communities. Together, we are working to improve literacy and numeracy, essential for future learning and employment opportunities. Australia is also expanding access to its world-class education resources, alongside policy exchange and partnership opportunities, to reduce disadvantage, accelerate economic growth and support stability and security in our region.
Program highlights
- 1,807 students were on Australia Awards scholarships studying at 45 Australian tertiary institutions, as of early October 2024. 58 per cent were women and 4 per cent were accessing Australia Awards disability support. Almost 550 students are currently studying in Pacific tertiary institutions on Australia Awards scholarships.
- In 2024, over 90 per cent of teachers in 30 target districts in Laos received monthly professional development support under Australia's flagship education program, with 61 per cent of teachers showing improved teaching practices.
- In 2024, Australia worked with nine Indo-Pacific partners to access Global Partnership for Education funding, increasing partner countries' resourcing for quality education and resilient education systems that build stronger economies and stable societies.
- 1,278 people in rural areas of Vanuatu accessed vocational/business training in 2023 through the provincial Skills Centres established by the Vanuatu Skills Partnership.
