AusAID outcomes and outputs

AusAID’s core business is to serve the Australian Government by advising on development issues and delivering Australia’s overseas aid program with excellence.

AusAID works to achieve two outcomes specified by the government. Outcome one is to advance Australia’s national interest by assisting developing countries to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development. Two agency outputs contribute to this outcome: policy advice and program management. In 2005–06, the government will purchase these two outputs from AusAID at agreed prices of $14.7 million and $59.8 million respectively. AusAID’s people management and corporate systems support the delivery of these two outputs.

AusAID’s role in administering the new $1 billion Australia–Indonesia Partnership for Reconstruction and Development (AIPRD) is reflected in a second outcome, to advance Australia’s national interest by implementing a partnership between Australia and Indonesia for reconstruction and development. This outcome is supported by one output — AIPRD management — at a cost of $3.9 million in 2005–06.

Policy advice

AusAID provides advice and analysis to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Minister for Trade, and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, on aid policy, program directions and international development issues. The provision of timely, comprehensive and accurate policy advice and analysis allows the government to make informed decisions in Australia’s national interest.

The agency also supports government communication with the Australian community and parliament through the provision of briefings, speeches, correspondence, media releases, replies to parliamentary questions and publications. These activities help to build community awareness of development issues and ensure that the aid program is accountable to the government, the parliament and the Australian public.

Program management

AusAID manages Australia’s overseas aid program on behalf of the Australian Government. AusAID’s program management seeks to:

ensure programs and projects correspond with government priorities and are defined in partnership with the people and governments of developing countries;
ensure high quality projects and programs through effective identification and design, regular monitoring and evaluation, identification of lessons learned, and access to technical expertise and external advice; and
establish and manage contracts with delivery partners including the private sector, public sector, international and regional development organisations, and community groups including NGOs.

Australia–Indonesia Partnership for Reconstruction and Development — management

AIPRD management encompasses administration of the AIPRD’s grants and loans components, and administration of the AIPRD Secretariat. AIPRD management seeks to ensure:

all major programs are carried out in partnership with relevant stakeholders;
program management tools and processes ensure a high quality program reflecting the AIPRD’s priorities; and
accountable, open and transparent contracting and tendering processes.