Development assistance in Fiji
Australia is committed to defence, police, border and security engagement that fosters a peaceful, secure and resilient Pacific, for the mutual benefit of both Australia and Fiji. Continuing to train, exercise and deploy together will help Australia and Fiji meet the expectation of PIF leaders that the Pacific region can manage regional security challenges.
To enhance our security cooperation, we are working in partnership with Fiji towards these outcomes:
- Interoperability between Australian and Fijian defence, police and border security agencies is enhanced
- Fiji's capability to deliver effective security domestically, regionally and globally (through peacekeeping operations) is strengthened
- Improved infrastructure better supports defence, police, and border security forces
- Cybersecurity and critical technology cooperation is improved.
Key supporting investments
- Defence Cooperation Program
- Pacific Maritime Security Program
- Police Cooperation
- Cyber Security Cooperation
Defence Cooperation Program
The Defence Cooperation Program has made a significant contribution to Australia's international defence engagement since the 1960s. The program promotes the capacity of our international partners, improves Australia's capacity to work with partners in response to common security challenges, and builds strong people-to-people links with regional security partners at the tactical, operational and strategic levels.
Australia and Fiji have partnered to build the new Maritime Essential Services Centre (MESC) located in Lami, Fiji. The MESC will serve as a multipurpose building to enhance Fiji's maritime capabilities. Australia will continue to provide support to Fiji in maintaining and sustaining the facility, to ensure the value of the MESC will be enjoyed for years to come. This is in addition to our ongoing maintenance and sustainment support to the Australian delivered Blackrock peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief camp, and Stanley Brown wharf. These contributions highlight our long term commitment to supporting Fiji's security infrastructure.
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Pacific Maritime Security Program (PMSP)
Defence is delivering capability to enhance maritime security through the Pacific Maritime Security Program (PMSP). The PMSP is a 30-year commitment that builds on the Pacific Patrol Boat Program – collectively representing more than five decades of continuous maritime security engagement with our Pacific partners. Through the PMSP, Australia is delivering 24 Guardian-class Patrol Boats to 12 Pacific partners. This capability is supported by through-life maintenance and sustainment support, crew training, and Navy advisers embedded alongside Pacific militaries and security forces to promote safe operations. The PMSP continues and expands Australia's long-term contribution to a peaceful, prosperous and secure Blue Pacific.
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Pacific Maritime Security Program
Police Cooperation
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has members deployed to Fiji who are responsible for law enforcement cooperation, joint operations and capability building. Working closely with the Fiji Police Force (FPF), the AFP provide operational support to combat crime threats and support executive succession planning, leadership development, Fiji Police Academy accreditation, police welfare networks and human resource systems.
On 4 March 2025 the AFP and Fiji Police Force (FPF) signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further strengthen ties between the two agencies under the spirit of solesolevaki [a traditional Fijian ideal that embodies resilient and solidified community effort]. Grounding our policing partnership in the spirit of solesolevaki means confronting difficult and complex challenges together, drawing on shared values and working as one towards our mutual interests. The MoU covers information sharing, coordination for cross-border and transnational operations as well as corporate and leadership support.
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Cyber Security Cooperation
Australia and Fiji are committed to an enhanced partnership on cyber security and critical technology issues. On 30 April 2024, Australia and Fiji signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cyber Security Cooperation. It focuses on meeting shared cyber security challenges that face Australia, Fiji and our region through uplifting local cyber capabilities and strengthening related governance mechanisms. The MoU also outlines enhanced information-sharing and cooperation on secure technologies, online safety, cybercrime and cyber incident response – including support for the development of Fiji's National Computer Emergency Response Team.