Tonga
May 2024
Estimated Australian ODA: 2024-25: $44.9m
Gross National Income Per Capita: USD4,930 (2021)
Population: 106,858 (2022)
| Australian ODA | 2022-23 Actual ($m)* | 2023-24 Budget Estimate ($m)* | 2024-25 Budget Estimate ($m)* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Country Programs | 29.3 | 22.1 | 22.1 |
| Regional | 39.7 | 17.8 | 18.3 |
| Global | 2.7 | 2.3 | 2.1 |
| Other Government Departments | 3.0 | 2.7 | 2.5 |
| Total ODA to Tonga | 74.8 | 44.9 | 44.9 |
*Due to rounding, discrepancies may occur between sums of the component items in totals.
Australia is proud to partner with the Government and people of the Kingdom of Tonga.
Australia’s development partnership with Tonga supports Tonga’s priorities in economic sustainability, energy, security, infrastructure, social inclusion, health, education, climate change resilience, disaster preparedness and response, aviation, and agriculture.
Strategic direction
Australia and Tonga are working together to support a shared vision of a prosperous and stable Tonga, committed to inclusive economic recovery following the Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha’apai volcanic eruption and tsunami and global economic disruptions.
We share a commitment to climate action, women’s leadership and empowerment, and the protection and inclusion of the most vulnerable.
2023-24 Program highlights
- Australia has provided over AUD 45 million in budget support to Tonga in 2023-24 to support a range of sectors including health and education, and to underpin broader economic recovery.
- Australia has worked closely with Tonga as Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) in 2024, including to support their security, transport, and cyber security needs.
- Australia is delivering on Tonga's priorities for critical infrastructure including AUD 15 million for rapid renewable energy projects and AUD 31.25 million for upgrades to the Nuku'alofa Port.
- The long-term security cooperation between the Australian Federal Police and Tonga Police, and the Australian Defence Force and His Majesty's Armed Forces continues to be a pillar of strength.
- More than 3,650 Tongans are working in Australia as part of the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme (as at 29 August 2024).
- With Australian support, the Ministry of Health conducted medical outreach services to Tonga’s outer islands, improving diagnosis and treatment for 5,453 people.
- In 2023, Australia provided 35 Australia Awards scholarships for Tongans to study in Australia.
- Australia is working with Tonga to achieve reliable, sustainable, and safe domestic aviation connectivity in support of economic recovery and service delivery.
