Aid issues

The fundamental purpose of Australian aid is to help people overcome poverty. Australia’s aid program is guided by five strategic goals, as set out in An Effective Aid Program for Australia: Making a real difference – delivering real results.

The strategic goals of the aid program are:

  • saving lives
  • promoting opportunities for all
  • sustainable economic development
  • effective governance, and
  • humanitarian and disaster response.

Australia works with governments of partner countries, mostly in the Asia-Pacific region, civil society organisations and multilateral agencies to achieve these goals. Funding decisions are guided by individual countries’ development priorities, an assessment of poverty, Australia’s capacity to make a real and measurable difference and our national interest.

The thematic strategies listed below provide further detail to inform program decisions in particular sectors. Additional thematic strategies will be developed and published over time.

Sustainable development factsheets

Building a sustainable future: Climate change
Building a sustainable future: Effective governance
Building a sustainable future: Healthy communities
Building a sustainable future: Inclusive communities
Building a sustainable future: Managing resources
Building a sustainable future: Protecting communities
Building a sustainable future: Resilient communities

 

Last reviewed: 17 April, 2012