Where we work

Australia's aid program focuses on the Asia-Pacific region. We are internationally recognised for our leading role in the region, particularly in PNG and the Pacific. Two-thirds of the world's poor-some 800 million people-live in the Asia-Pacific, yet they receive less than one third of global aid.

Volunteers make a significant contribution to the Asia-Pacific region by developing capacity, sharing skills and building relationships.  Australia also supports volunteer assignments in Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean.

A full list of countries and map where volunteer opportunities exist can be found on the where we work page.

The new volunteer program works closely with AusAID country program areas to determine the greatest need for volunteers in line with partner government requirements.

Through a range of assignments, volunteers share their expertise in areas such as health, education, disability support, environment and rural development.

A recent volunteer working to build environmental capacity in East Timor played an important role in the establishment of East Timor's first national park; Nino Konis Santana. The volunteer assisted staff at the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries to create a Protected Area Network (PAN), including establishment and gazettment of East Timor's first National Park. The PAN is vital for protecting this biologically diverse region that is also of mythological and historical significance to the Timorese people. East Timor has been commended internationally for the conservation of this joint terrestrial-marine park.