OECD Development Co‑operation Peer Reviews

The OECD's Development Assistance Committee (DAC) conducts peer reviews of individual members once every five to six years. Reviews seek to improve the quality and effectiveness of members' development co-operation, highlighting good practices and recommending improvements. The peer review of Australia, led by Finland and Ireland, explored Australia's efforts to revitalise its development co-operation, positioning it as a central pillar of foreign policy in response to intensifying regional and global challenges. Its 2023 International Development Policy outlines a whole-of-government approach that prioritises strategic partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region and locally led development, alongside continued championing of gender equality and disability inclusion. While Australia's official development assistance (ODA) has stabilised, it remains low by international standards. In a context of geostrategic pressure, the extent to which Australia's systems are fit to deliver a more ambitious policy while keeping poverty reduction and partner country development priorities at the core were key questions guiding this review. Sustained political leadership, strengthened institutional capability and targeted resourcing that can meet interconnected regional and global challenges are now needed to fully realise Australia's policy ambitions.