Development Partnership 

Australia and Tonga are working together to support a shared vision of a prosperous and stable Tonga, committed to inclusive economic recovery following the 2022 Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruption and tsunami, COVID-19 pandemic and global inflationary pressures. 

We are working to strengthen the national health system, build critical infrastructure, support economic and public sector reform, facilitate skills development and labour mobility, while contributing to resilience and recovery. We continue to place a priority on women’s empowerment and leadership, disability inclusion and the protection of the most vulnerable. 

This page includes information across our broad partnership on:

• Health.
• Budget support, governance and social protection.
• Trade, economic and private sector development. 
• The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme.
• Education and skills.
• Climate action.
• Energy.
• Infrastructure.
• Cyber security and telecommunications.
• Gender, disability and social inclusion.
• Sport. 

Health

Australia has a twenty-year commitment to Tonga’s health sector. The Tonga Health Systems Support Program commenced in 2009 and is in its third phase implementation, in partnership with Tonga’s Tongan Ministry of Health and Tonga Health Promotion Foundation. The overarching program objective is to support the Government of Tonga to reduce the health and economic burden of non-communicable disease, while being more resilient to health security threats, natural disasters, and climate change. The Program aims to strengthen the health system, improve service delivery, and contribute to reducing the burden of NCDs through community empowerment and a multisectoral approach. We are also supporting the Government of Tonga with key infrastructure, such as Queen Salote nursing school and the Vava’u hospital redevelopment.  

Partnerships for a Healthy Region is a $620million, five-year initiative (2022-23 to 2026-27) that aims to support Pacific and Southeast Asian countries to deliver better health outcomes for all, by contributing to more resilient and equitable public health systems with greater capability to respond to health emergencies. There are over 15 active partnerships in Tonga across a range of priority areas, including health information systems, mental health and sexual and reproductive health and rights.  

Budget Support, Governance and Social Protection

Australia has provided budget support to Tonga for more than a decade to assist Tonga in its pursuit of economic resilience. Australia trusts and uses Tonga’s financial systems. Ongoing technical advisers and partnerships are strengthening systems and supporting Tonga’s reform agenda to bring fiscal stability and improve government service delivery.

• Australia has provided more than AUD142 million in direct financing, since 2020.
  • Approximately AUD58 million was provided for Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha'apai and COVID-19 recovery measures, funding initiatives such as:
    • repairing the domestic and international undersea cables, and
    •  cash support to 1,600 affected businesses, wage subsidies to 4,100 employees and social protection top ups to more than 5,500 elderly and persons with disabilities.
  • More than AUD10 million has been provided for sector budget support in health, as part of our twenty-year health systems strengthening partnership - funding important services such as clinical and specialist medical outreach visits to outer islands, reaching 14,000 people last year. The finance has also funded crucial infrastructure, and equipment upgrades like mammogram machine and obstetrics ward renovations at the national hospital.  
  • AUD21 million has been invested in energy infrastructure, grid strengthening and upgrades at Popua Power Plant and AUD2.8 million to upgrade key assets for Tonga Police, including maritime search and rescue capability.
• In addition to these funds, advisory support embedded in the Ministry of Finance (public financial management, procurement) and Public Service Commission (Human Resources and workforce reform) have supported organisational reviews, development of a Public Financial Management Bill and Reform Roadmap.
  • Support continues to strengthen protection systems, including the 2024 decision to revise the age of eligibility for the elderly payment and to increase payments for disability and elderly beneficiaries.
• Australia and Tonga have imprortant institutional partnerships, like withthe Australian Electoral Commission and Australia Public Service Commission. These partnerships are building mutual skills and expertise.  

Trade, Economic and Private Sector Development

Australia is a major export destination for Tongan products, with a 55% increase in goods and services since 2015. Find out more information about Australia’s trade and investment with Tonga. Tens of thousands of Australians visit Tonga each year, contributing millions to the local economy, along with Tongan labour mobility workers in Australia who send home around TOP2 million per month on average. We are investing in enabling economic opportunities and private sector development through expanded trade facilitation and market development programs: 

• Australia’s economic investments are supporting the enabling environment for private sector development and trade, such as the Queen Salote wharf project to increase international export and import capability; efforts to maintain critical domestic air connectivity and establish a new reservations system for Lulutai airlines; and investments to stabilise the national energy grid to reduce power outages. 
• We are investing in private sector development through the Market Development Facility:  
  • kava and vanilla production and product diversification, including products like instant kava;  
  • tourism marketing strategies and expanding tourism offerings, including yacht tourism guide and cultural tours;  
  • expanding the scale and reach of the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development’s Business Accelerator Pilot to small businesses in the outer islands. 
• More than 65 businesses based in Nuku‘alofa have completed the Business Accelerator Program to upskill in business administration practices. 
• Directly supporting new export pathways such as the Kava Pilot. The total volume of kava imported to Australia is more than 180,000kgs since 2021.  
• Through PHAMA Plus, we are working in the agriculture sector to: 
  • increase market access and supply chains; 
  • increase fumigation capacity to allow higher volumes of export and collaborating with the private sector to increase productivity, especially for watermelon; 
  • deliver biosecurity, animal health and plant protection capability; and 
  • partnering with the private sector to increase productivity, such as with Nishi Trading to support sustainable farming practices and the Lotopoha Packhouse renovation project. 
• The PACER Plus Implementation Unit and ADB’s Private Sector Development Initiative, funded by Australia, are also working with government to improve Tonga’s private sector enabling environment, governance and leadership. 
  • Through the PSDI, we supported a draft national policy on consumer protection and competition, a new online business registry and review of foreign direct investment frameworks. 
  • PPIU supported MTED’s to develop the Tonga Standardisation Roadmap in collaboration with Standards Australia, to facilitate innovation and economic growth. 
• Australia is also working with a range of partners, including the World Bank, on initiatives to address the drivers of de-risking and ensure ongoing access to banking services in Tonga and the region. 

Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme

Labour mobility is central to our partnership. The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme has been active since 2012, formerly known as the Seasonal Worker Program and Pacific Labour Scheme. Tonga decides how it participates in the PALM scheme and together we recognise the need to balance the development benefits of overseas opportunities with domestic needs. Our current cooperation includes:

• Approximately 3000 workers are currently in Australia under the PALM Scheme. This number has steadily declined and stabilised since April 2022 when 6035 workers participated.
• Support to the Ministry of Internal Affairs Overseas Employment Division such as:
  • 14 staff positions (until September 2025), and three technical advisers.
  • Community outreach, work-ready tests, pre-departure briefings and trainings, and support for the Recruitment Database.
  • Secretariat support to the National Labour Mobility Committee and Welfare Sub-committee; the Welfare Protection and Family Support Sub-committee; and the National Skills Development Working Group initiative.
  • Communications support such as content collection, social media stories and radio programs.
• Funding for three Country Liaison Officers, based in Australia to support Tongan workers.
• A Social Impact Study on Labour Mobility focused on the domestic impacts of temporary labour migration in Tonga.
• Exposure visits to Australia to meet with workers, employers and Australian government agencies to discuss implementation and improvements to the scheme.
• Support to translate worker’s contracts into local languages.
• Tonga is one of several countries piloting a Family Accompaniment model where partners and dependents can join their loved ones working under the PALM scheme.
• In 2024, the scheme expanded to include aged care with plans to further expand to the Early Childhood Education sector and Hospitality.

Education and Skills

Australia is committed to supporting Tonga to build its human capital, so that all Tongans can achieve their full potential, whether they are doctors, teachers, police officers, lawyers or submariners. We are partnering with Tonga on a range of projects, including:  

• An AUD9.3 contribution million to the Safe and Resilient Schools project led by the Ministry of Education with the World Bank to improve the safety and resilience of education facilities through construction and renovation works, benefitting 8,000 students. The project is also upgrading the national Education Management Information System, improving core curricula and assessments to raise the quality of primary education.  
• More than 20 scholars (with 29 in 2025) will study in Australia and in the region through the Australia Awards program, in priority areas such as aviation, health, climate and marine studies. They will join more than 600 alumni who have studied under the program since the 1970s. 
• In the last 12 months Australian Border Force has provided theoretical and technology training to more than 250 officers from Ministry of Revenue and Customs, Tonga Police, Immigration as well as the Aviation and Security sectors.  
• In the last 12 months Australian Federal Police has provided training to 40% of Tonga Police officers (more than 230) in transnational serious organised crime, cyber crime, forensics, prosecutions, asset confiscation, domestic violence, sexual offence and child abuse.  
• More than 200 courses are offered annually through our Defence Cooperation Program.  
• There are currently nine Australian volunteers sharing their skills and enthusiasm with counterparts in Tongan organisations. 
• Through the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC) 688 Tongans graduated with full Australian qualifications (50.3% female) and 412 more have upskilled with APTC short courses and micro credentials.  
• Through the Australia-Tonga Support Program, we are working with the Ministry of Education and Training and TVET institutions to: 
  • Upgrade TVET facilities, such as installing a renewable energy centre for practical training at the Tonga National University School of Science and Technology. 
  • Increasing opportunities for people with disability to seek and undertake skills training.   
  • Strengthen the national Skills for Development Working Group to oversee implementation of the national TVET Policy and to encourage students into TVET as well as promoting the value in employing TVET graduates to industry and employers.
• The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme has skills development opportunities, for example 10 Tongan workers have recently completed a Certificate III in Aged Care. 

Climate Action

Australia has a AUD2 billion international climate finance target (2020-2025), including AUD700 million for the Pacific. As a founding member of the Pacific Islands Forum, Australia recognises the importance of regionally driven solutions to address climate finance needs. For Tonga: 

• Australia has contributed AUD100million in capital to the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) and a further AUD2.8 million  to support the launch of the PRF by 2025, with Tonga as the country of domicile.
• Australia is providing AUD7.5 million over 3 years towards the next phase of the Global Green Growth Institute’s Climate Finance Access Network (CFAN). This supports the deployment of climate finance expertise in Tonga and seven other Pacific Island Countries to help unlock climate finance for the region.
• Australia has partnered with MORDI for the Tonga Australia Resilient Communities project. The AUD9.7 million program will implement activities from the Community Development Plans of Tonga’s 122 regional and outer island communities until 2029. It will provide grants for climate adaptation, disaster preparedness and nature-based solutions.
• Australia and Tonga are working together to support Australia’s COP31 bid to host in 2026 – a joint bid with the Pacific. 
• We have provided AUD10 million (2022-2026) to the Global Environment Facility’s Small Grants Program across the Pacific for Community-Based Adaptation projects.

Energy

Australia has a decade-long history of supporting Tonga’s energy sector, through projects such as the Tonga Renewable Energy Project, Nuku’alofa Network Upgrade Project and Outer Island Renewable Energy Project. Through more than AUD35 million in investment, efforts from other donors, and the leadership of the Tongan Government, Tonga has achieved almost 100% electricity access across the Kingdom, well above the regional 20% average. Our current cooperation includes:

• Australian support (AUD3.5m) to the Tonga Renewable Energy Project (TREP) with the ADB to deliver renewable energy solar and battery systems to the outer islands of Ha’apai and Vava’u. TREP is expected to be completed by 30 June 2025.
• AUD16 million partnership with Tonga Power Limited (TPL) to stabilise electricity supply, reduce diesel imports, and support the transition to renewables by funding:
  • new and efficient gensets compatible with renewable energy transition technology;
  • the final section of the Nuku’alofa Network Upgrade Project; and
  • grid stabilisation for more than 12 kms of Tongatapu’s main power grid to enable a new 24MW public/private solar and battery storage project in Tongatapu, essential for reaching Tonga’s renewable energy generation targets.

Infrastructure 

Through the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP), we are supporting Tonga to build a resilient future through high quality infrastructure projects including by: 

• Upgrading Queen Salote International Port with the Asian Development Bank (AUD31 million) to increase the ports operational capacity. The Port is Tonga’s main gateway to trade, managing 95% of sea-based imports and exports. 

• Building a new Parliament House and Office of the Legislative Assembly with New Zealand (AUD18 million) to replace those destroyed by Tropical Cyclone Gita in 2018.  

• Investing in a second international communications cable with New Zealand (AUD30 million). Tonga has only one undersea cable connecting to Fiji from Tongatapu. This second undersea cable (401-kilometres long) will connect Vava’u to the existing Hawaiki cable which runs from Australia / New Zealand to Hawaii. 

• Supporting Tonga’s aviation sector including Tonga Airports Ltd and Tonga Civil Aviation Division to improve connectivity, reliability, safety and efficiency. Aviation is essential to Tonga’s economic growth keeping families, communities, tourism operators and businesses connected. 

Cyber Security and Telecommunications

Australia and Tonga have been working together in the cyber affairs and critical technology sector since 2016. The sectors underpin our shared challenges in national security, the protection and realisation of human rights and freedoms, global economic prosperity, sustainable development and international stability.

• Australia works closely with CERT Tonga through the Pacific Cyber Security Operational Network (PACSON), an Australian Government initiative to assist the region to address cyber threats and combat cybercrime.
• Through the Australian Cyber and Critical Technology Cooperation Program, Australia is working with CERT to deliver cyber security trainings in Tonga.
• Australia has established the Cyber Rapid Assistance for Pacific Incidents and Disaster team (RAPID) to deploy internationally and assist in response to digital disasters when requested.
  • RAPID was deployed proactively to support the PIF Leaders’ Meeting in August in 2024 to mitigate the risk of any cyber incidents across the event.
  • A team also supported Tonga Communications Corporation to manage a ransomware attack in February 2023.
• Australia and New Zealand are jointly funding Tonga’s second international communications cable to reduce the risk of outages to Tonga’s international telecommunications. The 401km long cable will run from the existing landing cable station in Vava’u to a branch unit on the Hawaiiki Cable (which runs from Hawaii to Auckland). Australia is working with Tonga Cable Ltd to implement the AUD49 million project.

Gender, Disability, Social Inclusion 

Australia’s investments in Tonga are underpinned by our Gender Country Plan objective: that women and girls in Tonga, in all their diversity are safe and equitably share in resources, opportunities and decision-making with men and boys. This includes through: gender mainstreaming; domestic violence response and prevention and providing support services to survivors; sexual and reproductive health and rights; more economic opportunities and increased leadership and decision-making roles for women.  

Australia is also committed to considering disability equity in all its partnerships and engagement. Our support includes working with civil society and organisations for people with disabilities to break down barriers to access health services, education and, employment and to promote inclusion and advance the rights of all people.   

Sport

Australia supports sport in Tonga through our sport for development Team Up program and our high performance PacificAus Sports program. These programs support grassroot opportunities, elite pathways, and international competition including in Tonga. The Australian Government continues to make significant investments in sport as a way of bringing people and nations together and creating positive societal change.

• Team Up, Australia supports initiatives across football, rugby league, table tennis and netball focusing on gender, disability, leadership, governance and knowledge. Over 8,700 children in Tonga participated in Just Play, League for Life, Smash Down Barriers, and One Netball activities in the first six months of 2024. 
• In Tonga, PacificAus Sports has partnerships across netball, rugby union, rugby league, basketball, tennis, and Olympic and Paralympic sports.