Australian Development Cooperation
Australia will provide an estimated $500 million in bilateral funding to Papua New Guinea in 2024-25. Total Australian Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Papua New Guinea in 2024-25 will be an estimated $637.4 million. Australian ODA will help to meet development objectives in Papua New Guinea, including through investments in economic growth, education, health, law and justice, infrastructure, gender and subnational priorities.
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website has further information about Australia’s development assistance to Papua New Guinea.
Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)
The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), as part of the Australian Government’s official overseas aid program, links Australian agricultural scientific expertise with counterparts in Papua New Guinea (PNG), to develop collaborative research projects addressing a specific problem or to assist PNG to take advantage of new opportunities in the agriculture sector.
Collaboration with researchers in PNG is central to the development of all ACIAR’s projects. This creates home-grown and home-owned solutions that deliver results suited to the agricultural needs of PNG. Project design also encourages private sector, industry and non-government organisation (NGO) linkages.
ACIAR’s focus is on the Asia-Pacific region, reflecting that of the broader Australian aid program, and emphasises poverty reduction and improved livelihoods through more productive and sustainable agriculture.
Direct Aid Program Community Grants
The DAP Community Grants is a flexible small grants program funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The program supports locally led activities that improve development outcomes for communities in eligible countries. Community Grants are designed to assist organisations and community groups to deliver practical, sustainable and impactful activities that respond to local needs and priorities. This may include activities such as training, service delivery, community development initiatives and small-scale infrastructure projects.
The program aims to support activities that:
- improve the wellbeing and development outcomes of local communities
- respond to locally identified needs and priorities
- promote sustainable and inclusive development
- build community capacity and resilience
- deliver practical and measurable benefits for beneficiaries
Community Grants Program funding is available to:
- locally registered non-government organisations (NGOs)
- community-based organisations
- academic and educational institutions
- sporting organisation
- religious organsations
- individuals acting on behalf of a community or group for a development-related purpose
Community Grants funding is generally not available to:
- United Nations agencies or other multilateral organisations
- partner governments or government agencies
- Australian non-government organisations
- private businesses
- communities located in Australia
Priority areas may include:
- education
- health
- economic development and livelihoods
- gender equality
- disability equity and social inclusion
- climate resilience and disaster risk reduction
- environmental protection
- community empowerment and capacity building
- water, sanitation and hygiene initiatives
Community Grants Program Funding cannot be used for activities where the primary purpose is:
- supporting commercial ventures or generating profit
- funding ongoing operational costs such as salaries, utilities, rent or routine, administration expenses
- purchasing vehicles or other major operational assets
- funding international travel
- sponsoring major sporting tournaments or events without a clear development outcome
- supporting partner government activities
- promoting Australian commercial or political interests
Interested applicants can find out more and apply here
The Australian High Commission no longer accepts paper applications, or applications emailed to [email protected] (i.e. in Word or PDF). All applications should be submitted through the SmartyGrants website during the application window. Additional documents will not be accepted.