Australia’s approach to foreign aid spending has long experienced varying levels of public support. However, a majority of Australians remain in favor of providing aid, particularly within the Asia-Pacific region. This support stems not only from national interests but also from a sincere commitment to being a responsible and compassionate neighbor. At the same time, both taxpayers and policymakers are keen on ensuring that aid spending is cost-effective and delivers value in comparison to other priorities.
Given this context, it becomes essential to recognize the full spectrum of contributions that Australia’s aid funding achieves, especially when these benefits extend beyond narrowly defined program goals or emerge in unexpected ways. One such area where these less visible benefits are evident is the Australian Volunteers Program, which is funded through Australia’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget. This program deploys highly skilled Australian volunteers to work in development-focused roles within partner organizations across 25 countries in the Asia-Pacific and beyond.
A longitudinal research project, led over the past five years and funded by the Australian Volunteers Program, has been tracking a cohort of 50 Australian volunteers. While the primary focus of this study was to examine the personal and professional impacts on the volunteers themselves—one of the three key objectives of the program—it has also uncovered surprising evidence of hidden development contributions made by these volunteers. These contributions, described as “hidden” because they occur outside the formal roles and objectives assigned to the volunteers, are often overlooked by the standard monitoring and evaluation (M&E) activities that typically assess such programs.
The study identified three significant types of hidden contributions.
Firstly, there is evidence of discretionary in-country volunteering during the volunteer assignment. Although volunteers are provided with specific position descriptions outlining their roles, the research revealed that many volunteers make substantial informal contributions that extend far beyond their official duties. These include helping partner organizations access essential resources, such as equipment, broadband or mobile data, reference materials, and subscriptions. Volunteers also connect these organizations with professionals and associations in Australia and other countries, facilitating access to information, funding, and knowledge exchanges. Furthermore, volunteers often engage in after-hours activities, such as mentoring, coaching, and consulting, for both the partner organizations and the broader community, which greatly enhances their impact.
Secondly, the study found that volunteers continue to provide informal support to partner organizations even after their assignments have concluded. Over the first 12 months following their assignments, the 50 volunteers in the study collectively contributed approximately 70 months of additional support—equivalent to about six weeks of continued assistance for each organization. This ongoing support ranged from minor tasks, like grant application assistance, to more comprehensive roles, such as regular online mentoring. While the intensity of this support tends to decrease over time as volunteers move on with their careers, many partner organizations still benefit from the expertise of former volunteers long after their official assignments have ended.
The third significant contribution identified by the study is the transition of volunteers into subsequent “prosocial” careers. Many volunteers, inspired by their experiences, choose to pursue roles that allow them to continue making a positive impact on society, the environment, or both. Within three years of completing their assignments, one in four volunteers in the study had shifted to careers that were tangibly more prosocial. These career changes, though not always smooth or financially rewarding, have led to ongoing social and environmental benefits that persist well beyond the volunteer assignments.
These hidden contributions, although largely invisible to policymakers, represent some of the most enduring impacts of Australia’s ODA. They highlight the need for a broader perspective in evaluating the success of aid programs—one that goes beyond predefined objectives and considers the wider, often unanticipated, benefits. By recognizing and nurturing these under-the-radar contributions, Australia can enhance the effectiveness and long-term impact of its aid initiatives, ensuring that they continue to contribute positively to the development ecosystem in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
