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Development cooperation fact sheets

Effective Governance Development Cooperation Factsheet

November 2024 

Estimated Australian Effective Governance ODA: 2024-25: $1,118.0m

Region2022-23 Actual ($m)*2023-24 Budget Estimate ($m)*2024-25 Budget Estimate ($m)*
Pacific515.5602.0645.6
Southeast Asia321.7319.0295.6
South and Central Asia31.947.855.6
Middle East and Africa12.67.67.1
Rest of the World*115.1121.6114.0
TOTAL Governance ODA996.91,098.01,118.0

* Inculded ODA that is not attributed to particular countries or regions.

Pie chart of Australian ODA, Governance by Sector Group, 2024-25 budget estimate:
12% Democracy and human rights
21% General budget support
13% Legal and judicial development
20% Other infrastructure and services
24% Public sector management and finance
10% Women’s organisations and ending violence against women

Effective governance is central to the vision of building a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

Australia prioritises investments in governance because it underpins effective, accountable states that can sustain their own development, deliver for and engage all citizens, and are resilient in the face of external pressures and shocks. Where governance is effective, all other development outcomes are also stronger. Governance is Australia’s largest sector investment.

Strategic direction

Australian investments are tailored to each local context. They support local leadership, foster accountable and inclusive governance policies and practices, improve access to basic services and support businesses to thrive.

Australia partners with public institutions such as parliaments, audit and law enforcement agencies, elections administrations, as well as multilateral, civil society and private sector organisations.

Our Governance work directly contributes to SDG1's target of poverty eradication, SDG5's commitment to gender equality and SDG 16's focus on peaceful and just societies, and effective and inclusive institutions.

Program highlights

  • With Australia’s support, Transparency International worked with the Government of Sri Lanka to strengthen its anti-corruption legal frameworks, including a new Anti-Corruption Act.  This resulted in the addition of 70 provisions, including the criminalisation of sexual bribery.
  • Australia’s partnership with provincial governments in PNG under the Subnational Governance Implementation Plan, improved access to safe drinking water by improving capacity, resources and water governance practices. Active representation of vulnerable groups ensured equitable water security.
  • Australia contributed to building safer communities in the Philippines by supporting Tumikang Sama-Sama (TSS) to mediate conflict in Sulu, though the Peace Building in Conflict Affected Mindanao Program. Working with security forces and local leaders, TSS negotiated a ceasefire which led to the signing of a peace covenant in May 2024.
Priority Sustainable Development Goals
Sustainable Development Goal 1, No poverty.
Sustainable Development Goal 5, Gender Equality. Sustainable Development Goal 15, Life on Land.
Sustainable Development Goal 16, Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.
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