Australia and the FSM established diplomatic relations on 6 July 1987.
Australia’s long-term development cooperation with FSM is delivering important outcomes in priority sectors, including investing in climate change and disaster resilience initiatives in renewable energy, strengthening safety and economic opportunities for women and children, improving health, education and scholarships opportunities.
- Federated States of Micronesia country Fact Sheet [PDF]
- Federated States of Micronesia Development Cooperation Factsheet
Federated States of Micronesia Outer Islands Renewable Energy Project
Australia is supporting FSM’s efforts to increase electrification and reach renewable energy targets through investments in remote solar mini-grid systems in Chuuk, Yap and Pohnpei states. We have already started in Chuuk, in partnership with SPC and through co-investments from the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific.
WW2 Shipwreck Oil Removal in Chuuk
Australia is providing $2.12 million to support FSM address the oil spill risk from World War II wrecks in the Chuuk Lagoon, helping protect local communities and the environment.
Pacific Humanitarian Warehouse Program
The Pacific Humanitarian Warehousing Program (PHWP) is a Pacific-led, multi-donor program that will support 14 Pacific countries and Timor-Leste to further develop disaster preparedness and resilience by building their national humanitarian warehousing capability.
Further information on the design and implementation of PHWP can be found in the Investment Design Document, PHWP Factsheet and Program Map.
Achieving gender equality, enhancing women's empowerment and protection of children.
Australia is working to address gender equality and improve child protection in FSM. Our activities, working closely with FSM partners, aim to foster economic empowerment of women and reduce the incidence of gender-based violence (GBV). Australia also supports initiatives to improve opportunities for women through our scholarships and at the local level through flexible, small grants.
FSM Family Protection Program (2024-28)
Family Protection Program implemented by UNICEF is delivering a holistic approach to gender equality and child protection (CP). The program focuses on a survivor-centred referral pathway with wrap-around services, tailored to the context of each state and to rural or remote settings. It will work to deliver basic services for GBV, CP and work closely with front line workers, community, police and justice, churches and traditional leaders.
Pacific Women Lead
Through the Pacific Women program, Australia has been working with the FSM to support priorities and aspirations for over 10 years. Pacific Women Lead is implemented in partnership with the Pacific Community or SPC.
Australia provides placement of a dedicated Family Protection Adviser based in the FSM Dept of Health and Social Affairs supports National and State governments on GBV and family protection legislation, policy advice and training. Australia continues to support the Chuuk Womens Council’s Counselling Service (Tongen Inepwineu) through annual grants and advisers as well as Pacific Girl Young Women's Empowerment Program.
For more info visit Pacific Women Lead - Home
Transformative Agenda Phase II Programme
The Transformative Agenda for Women, Adolescents and Youth in the Pacific Phase II is an AUD 37 million programme funded by the Australian Government and implemented by UNFPA from (2023-27). The program focuses on transformative change for women, young people and other marginalised groups in the Pacific region. Through a steadfast commitment to strengthening national government capacity and improving sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), with a special emphasis on family planning.
For more info visit UNFPA Pacific Island Countries | Transformative Agenda Programme for Women, Adolescents and Youth
Pacific Flights Program
Australia is investing up to $100 million over five years, via the Australia-Pacific Partnerships for Aviation (P4A) program, to support regional connectivity. The two North Pacific routes are: Palau Paradise Express (PPE): Brisbane-Koror (return); and Australia-North Pacific Connector: Brisbane – Nauru - Tarawa - Majuro – Pohnpei - Koror (return). The connector commenced service in October 2022, and the Palau Paradise Express began service on 21 May 2024.
For more information visit Australia-Pacific Partnerships for Aviation Program
East Micronesia Cable
Australia is co-funding with the United States and Japan the East Micronesia Cable project, boosting telecommunications across FSM, Nauru and Kiribati, through the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) .
For more info visit: Connecting the FSM, Kiribati and Nauru to the internet via submarine cable | AIFFP
Improving the quality of basic education
Australia, along with the Government of FSM and the Asian Development Bank, is co-financing the Improving Quality Basic Education (IQBE) Project to help improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the national and state education systems, and drive gains in early grade learning (Australia's contribution is valued at $2.4 million over six years to 2026). Australia has also deployed three education specialists to assist the Department of Education to coordinate effective implement of the project.
To date IQBE has helped to improved teacher preparedness by helping to train over 900 teachers across FSM on numeracy and literacy and developing 120 bilingual readers for Yap and Kosrae students.
For more info visit Improving the Quality of Basic Education in the North Pacific
Australia Awards Scholarships
Australia has awarded over 130 long-term and short Australia Awards Scholarships to Micronesians, to study in the Pacific and Australia, over half to women. The majority of the scholarships within FSM are in medical, law, and economic and finance fields.
For more Study in Australia and Scholarships (embassy.gov.au)
Australian Volunteers Program
The Australian Volunteers Program matches skilled Australians with organisations in partner countries to help these organisations to deliver on their own objectives. The program uses international volunteering as a people-centred approach to capacity development.
Further information can also be found on the Australian Volunteers Program website. The media and publications section of this website contains publications relating to the program.
Australia’s International Development Cooperation 1999-2000 to 2022-23