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Australian aid: promoting prosperity,
reducing poverty, enhancing stability

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- Government aid (not an NGO)
- Australia’s investments improve
management of scarce water
resources, increase opportunities for economic growth, and improve access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene.

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- NGO
-SurfAid is an international development organisation that is dedicated to enriching lives, and increasing people’s choices and possibilities for realising their potential.

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- NGO
-We are Christians collaborating for a world free of poverty and injustice.
Because every person matters.
We work with and through churches, but our programs include all people regardless of their faith, sexuality, ethnicity, ability or gender.

We seek out the marginalised and the vulnerable. We listen to the voices of the poorest.

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- NGO
- ChildFund Australia is an independent and non-religious international development organisation that works to reduce poverty for children in many of the world’s most disadvantaged communities.

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2019-20 Budget Estimate:
$153.8 million*

Australia is well-placed to assist countries in the Indo-Pacific region by sharing our experience and expertise in managing complex water and sanitation challenges for sustainable economic growth and for good health.

In the Pacific we maintain a strong commitment to supporting improved water and sanitation service delivery. In Asia, the focus is on support for sustainable water resource management, financing and policy reform, engagement with the private sector, innovation and capacity building.

Australia is investing in water for development consistent with three strategies of Australia's aid program:

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Australia is well-placed to assist countries in the Indo-Pacific region by sharing our experience and expertise in managing complex water and sanitation challenges for sustainable economic growth and for good health. In the Pacific we maintain a strong commitment to supporting improved water and sanitation service delivery.

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SurfAid is a non profit organisation that helps to improve the health and wellbeing of people living in isolated regions around the world.

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We want every child to be able to say: "I am safe. I am educated. I am heard. I have a future."

ChildFund Australia is an independent and non-religious international development organisation that works to reduce poverty for children in many of the world's most disadvantaged communities.

It is a member of the ChildFund Alliance - one of the world's oldest and most experienced child-focused development agencies. With a global network of 11 organisations, the ChildFund Alliance assists more than 13 million children and families in over 60 countries.

ChildFund Australia directly manages and implements programs in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and Vietnam, while also supporting projects delivered by partner organisations throughout Asia, Africa and the Americas. Our work is funded through child and community sponsorship, as well as public donations and government grants.

We are committed to public accountability and transparency. Annually, our accounts in Australia are audited by independent consultants KPMG. Read our latest Annual report.

As a member of the Australian Council for International Development, and a signatory to the ACFID Code of Conduct and the ACFID Fundraising Charter, ChildFund Australia must meet high standards of corporate governance, public accountability and financial management.

In addition, ChildFund Australia is fully accredited by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade which manages the Australian Government's overseas aid program. Accreditation is a stringent process in which all operational activities - financial, managerial, fundraising and program - are analysed. This not only requires that ChildFund demonstrate that funds are distributed to community projects, but that they are spent effectively in those communities for the benefit of children.

ChildFund Australia is also a member of Accountable Now, a platform of international civil society organisations that strive to be transparent, responsive to stakeholders, and focused on delivering impact. As a member, ChildFund has signed 12 globally-agreed-upon Accountability Commitments and will report annually to an Independent Review Panel on our economic, environmental and social performance according to the Accountable Now reporting standards.

To better understand our organsiation, please see the below information:

ChildFund Australia Policies

Our History

After beginning work in China in 1938, ChildFund is now one of the world's oldest child-focused development organisations. ChildFund (or China's Children Fund as it was known then) was started by an American humanitarian, Dr J Calvitt Clarke, following the second Sino-Japanese War in 1937. Amidst reports of widespread devastation and the displacement of millions of families, Dr Clarke decided to take action to support the relief effort. From his home in Virginia, USA and with the support of wife Helen, Dr Clarke launched a nationwide appeal for funds for displaced children in China. In the midst of the Depression, and using his own money for stationery and postage, Dr Clarke found enough willing supporters to enable him to establish China's Children Fund (CCF) in 1938, sending the organisation's first contribution of US$2,000 to support local initiatives in China. Dr Clarke continued to write and appeal for assistance and, by the end of 1939, CCF had sent a total of US$13,000 to support the KuKong orphanage and a school in China. Eight decades later and CCF has transformed into the ChildFund Alliance, a global network of child-focused development organisations assisting children and families in over 60 countries.

In 1938, Dr Clarke had a vision: to provide life-saving support to families in China recovering from war. Today, ChildFund is represented in over 60 countries, helping the world's most vulnerable children.

Over our long history, ChildFund is immensely proud to worked in partnership with families and local communities across the globe to ensure that thousands of children can survive and thrive.

If you would like to make a difference to a child in a developing community, there are many ways you can help ChildFund to carry on Dr Clarke's vision.

Our Expenditure

Where your money goes

82 cents

in every dollar goes directly to helping children in poverty

13 million

children and families being supported in over 60 countries

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About Us | Vision, Expertise & History | ChildFund Australia

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ChildFund Australia is an independent and non-religious international development organisation that works to reduce poverty for children in many of the world's most disadvantaged communities. It is a member of the ChildFund Alliance - one of the world's oldest and most experienced child-focused development agencies.

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We are Christians collaborating for a world free of poverty and injustice.
Because every person matters. Because every person is beloved by God and invited to a life that is whole and hopeful.
As an agency of the Uniting Church in Australia, we connect Australian people to God's work in the wider world.

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We are Christians collaborating for a world free of poverty and injustice. Because every person matters. Because every person is beloved by God and invited to a life that is whole and hopeful. As an agency of the Uniting Church in Australia, we connect Australian people to God's work in the wider world.

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Have a look at all of the links and choose the one that interests you the most.

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Here at The Borgen Project, we are often asked why foreign aid is important. Foreign aid can save the lives of millions of people living in poverty around the world. It addresses issues such as health, education, infrastructure and humanitarian emergencies.

Foreign aid is a broad term. In a wide sense, it can be defined as "financial or technical help given by one country's government to another country to assist social and economic development or to respond to a disaster in a receiving country."

2 Ways Foreign Aid Helps the U.S.

Creates Jobs

Improves National Security

There are numerous reasons why foreign aid is important to help impoverished countries; discussed below are the six key targets.

Top 6 Benefits of Foreign Aid

1. Infrastructure: roads, bridges, institutions and sewer systems get built, giving people the ability to be mobile and have access to basic necessities such as electricity and running water.

2. Agricultural technology improvements: improvements enter the infrastructure within the agricultural businesses within recipient countries.

3. Education: classrooms get built, teachers receive training and children gain basic educational needs.

4. Health: vaccinations, mosquito nets, safe drinking water, access to hygiene education and basic sanitation are all brought in.

5. Humanitarian issues and natural disaster emergencies: life-saving support comes to those affected and possibly displaced due to natural disasters, emergency shelters are built for people affected by violence, and counseling services are made available.

6. National security: recipient countries can combat terrorism with the help of foreign aid as it decreases poverty, weak institutions and corruption and can help strengthen good governance, transparency and the economy.

Another reason why foreign aid is important is how it fosters a conducive diplomatic relationship between the donor and the recipient.

Impoverished nations receiving aid can eventually become independent and move towards democratic fundamentals with the help of donor countries.

There are hundreds of different donors of foreign aid. One of the most well-known donors of foreign aid comes in the form of Official Development Assistance (ODA).

It is provided by the Development Assistance Committee of the Organization for Economic Development Cooperation. The ODA provides foreign aid to poor countries in the form of grants and loans.

The ODA is important to impoverished countries as it provides specifically the materials needed to build effective infrastructure and expand educational programs and the access to schools. Additionally, it provides efficient responses to humanitarian emergencies.

One of the most well-known and largest providers of foreign aid is the International Development Association (IDA), which is part of the World Bank. It has 173 shareholders that provide grants and loans to 77 countries around the world, 39 of which are located in Africa.

The main goal of the IDA is to reduce inequalities, increase economic growth and improve the living conditions of those in poverty. These goals are addressed as IDA funds are given directly to the sectors of education, water, sanitation, agriculture and infrastructure.

The IDA provides little to no interest on its grants and loans and allows for a grace period of up to 10 years. It also allows the recipient country to make debt payments of up to 40 years.

Since 1960, the IDA has provided $312 billion in investments in 112 impoverished nations. In the last three years alone, there has been an average of $19 billion in grants and loans.

Foreign aid truly makes a difference to people living in poverty. It provides access to basic necessities and provides people essential conditions for living a peaceful and secure life.

- Kimber Kraus

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The Importance of Foreign Aid | The Borgen Project

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Here at The Borgen Project, we are often asked why foreign aid is important. Foreign aid can save the lives of millions of people living in poverty around the world. It addresses issues such as health, education, infrastructure and humanitarian emergencies. Foreign aid is a broad term.

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Unsure of what each of the goals mean? Use this... 

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Unsure of what each of the goals mean? Use this... 

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The Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs) are a set of targets relating to future international development. They are created by the United Nations and promoted as the Global Goals for Sustainable Development. They replaced the Millennium Development Goals that expired at the end of 2015. The SGDs run from 2015 to 2030. There are 17 goals and 169 specific targets for those goals.

The 17 goals

Goal 1: No Poverty

No Poverty - End poverty in all its forms everywhere

Extreme poverty has been cut by more than half since 1990- however, more than 1 in 5 people live on less than $1.25 a day

Poverty is more than lack of income or resources- it includes lack of basic services, such as education, hunger, social discrimination and exclusion, and lack of participation in decision making.

Gender inequality plays a large role in the perpetuation of poverty and its risks; They then face potentially life-threatening risks from early pregnancy, and often lost hopes for an education and a better income.

Age groups are affected differently when struck with poverty; its most devastating effects are on children, to whom it poses a great threat. It affects their education, health, nutrition, and security. It also negatively affects the emotional and spiritual development of children through the environment it creates.

Goal 2: Zero Hunger

Zero Hunger - End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture

Globally, 1 in 9 people are undernourished, the vast majority of these people live in developing countries

Agriculture is the single largest employer in the world, providing livelihoods for 40 per cent of today's global population. It is the largest source of income and jobs for poor rural households. Women comprise on average 43 per cent of the agricultural labor force in developing countries, and over 50 per cent in parts of Asia and Africa, yet they only own 20% of the land.

Poor nutrition causes nearly half (45 per cent) of deaths in children under five - 3.1 million children each year.

Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being

Good Health and Well-being - Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

Significant strides have been made in increasing life expectancy and reducing some of the common killers associated with child and maternal mortality, and major progress has been made on increasing access to clean water and sanitation, reducing malaria, tuberculosis, polio and the spread of HIV/AIDS.

However, only half of women in developing countries have received the health care they need

An important target is to substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from pollution-related diseases.

Goal 4: Quality Education

Quality Education - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

Major progress has been made for education access, specifically at the primary school level, for both boys and girls. However, access does not always mean quality of education, or completion of primary school. Currently, 103 million youth worldwide still lack basic literacy skills, and more than 60 per cent of them are women

Target 1 "By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and Goal-4 effective learning outcomes"- shows the commitment to nondiscriminatory education outcomes

Goal 5: Gender Equality

Gender Equality - Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

Providing women and girls with equal access to education, health care, decent work, and representation in political and economic decision-making processes will fuel sustainable economies and benefit societies and humanity at large

While a record 143 countries guaranteed equality between men and women in their Constitutions by 2014, another 52 had not taken this step. In many nations, gender discrimination is still woven through legal and social norms

Though goal 5 is the gender equality stand-alone goal, the SDG's can only be successful if women are completely integrated into each and every goal

Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

Clean Water and Sanitation - Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

The first three out of eight targets include:

"By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all."

"By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations."

"By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally."

Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

Affordable and Clean Energy - Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

Decent Work and Economic Growth - Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure - Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities

Reduced Inequalities - Reduce income inequality within and among countries

Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

Sustainable Cities and Communities - Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Responsible Consumption and Production - Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

Goal 13: Climate Action

Climate Action - Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts by regulating emissions and promoting developments in renewable energy

Goal 14: Life Below Water

Life Below Water - Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

Goal 15: Life on Land

Life on Land - Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions - Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Partnerships for the Goals - Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development

Images for kids

The sustainable development goals are a UN initiative

UN SDG consultations in Mariupol, Ukraine

In Spanish: Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible para niños

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Sustainable Development Goals Facts for Kids

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Learn Sustainable Development Goals facts for kids

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All the basics for those looking to better understand Australian aid.