Australian aid helps build a safer world for all.

It saves lives, helps prevent crises, and strengthens stability in our region.

At a time of rising global risks, aid remains a modest but effective investment in peace, stability and shared prosperity.

It is good for our neighbours and good for Australians.

Showing your support helps ensure it remains valued and protected.

Add your voice in support of Australian aid.

Why Australian aid matters now

Smart aid prevents crises before they escalate

Australia’s development partnerships strengthen resilience across our region before instability takes hold.

✓ Strengthens health systems and pandemic preparedness

✓ Stabilises fragile communities

✓ Reduces the risk of conflict and displacement

✓ Reduces the conditions that fuel extremism and transnational crime

Early intervention reduces the likelihood of costly humanitarian and military responses later.

Every $1 invested in disaster risk reduction can save up to $14 in future response costs.

Smart aid is prevention in action.

AUSTRALIAN Aid works – and it is modest

Australian aid delivers measurable impact each year.

✓ 8.6 million people received humanitarian assistance

✓ 1.5 million people improved food security

✓ 3.6 million women entrepreneurs were supported

✓ 316,000 services were provided to survivors of gender-based violence

Aid represents around 0.65% of the Federal Budget, or roughly 0.19% of Gross National Income.

That is about 50 cents per Australian per day.

For a relatively small public investment, it delivers real outcomes that save lives and strengthen stability in our region.

Aid reflects the best of who we are

Australia has long stood alongside our neighbours in times of need.

We are stronger when our region is stable, resilient and prosperous.

Smart aid strengthens relationships, builds trust, and shows that Australia is an engaged partner ready to step up when it matters.

It reflects our values and our long-term interests.

Aid strengthens Australia’s security

Security requires more than defence alone.

Right now, for every $100 in the Federal Budget, around $6 goes to defence and around 65 cents goes to aid.

Defence responds to threats.

Smart aid reduces the conditions that allow threats to emerge.

Diplomacy, defence and development work best together.

Aid builds long-term partnerships and shared prosperity

Vietnam shows what sustained Australian development partnership can achieve.

Australian support has evolved from building infrastructure like the My Thuan Bridge — the first bridge across the Mekong River — to strengthening economic reform, governance and skills programs.

Since 1973, Australia has invested around $3 billion in development assistance to Vietnam — spread over more than five decades.

Today:

✓ Two-way trade exceeds $28 billion annually

✓ Vietnamese tourism to Australia contributed $837 million in 2023–24 alone

✓ Australia and Vietnam have elevated ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

Long-term development cooperation helped lay the foundations for this transformation.

Smart aid strengthens relationships, builds economic opportunity, and contributes to stability that benefits both our neighbours and Australia.

the state of our world today

Helping here and in our region

Supporting Australians and supporting our neighbours are not competing priorities.

More than 99% of the Federal Budget is spent at home on health, education, infrastructure and cost-of-living support. Australian aid represents around 0.65% of the Budget – roughly 50 cents per Australian per day.

Research shows Australians often assume we spend far more. When people learn the true figure, most consider it reasonable.

Aid helps strengthen stability in our region, reduce the risk of conflict and displacement, and build long-term economic partnerships. Ten of Australia’s top 15 export markets today are countries where Australia once provided development support.

When John Howard left office, aid represented around 1% of the Federal Budget. Restoring it to that level would still leave 99% of spending focused domestically and lift Australia’s aid to around 0.3% of national income (GNI) – less than half the long-standing 0.7% international benchmark.

We can be responsible at home and engaged in our region. Our long-term security and prosperity depend on both.

WE CAN build a Safer World for All. Take Action & Join our mailing list today.

CHURCHES PETITION

The Heads of Australia’s Christian denominations have written to our political leaders, urging them to rebuild Australian Aid. Christians across the nation are invited to add their name to make a powerful stand for compassion, justice, and a safer world for all

Sign The Petition