FAQs

CARE Australia was established in 1987 by former Prime Minister, the Rt Hon. Malcolm Fraser, AC, CH. CARE Australia grew through the 1990s and developed a reputation for delivering timely and effective disaster assistance and development programs to those in need. To find out more, please visit Our History page.

CARE International is a confederation of 21 International Members, Candidates and Affiliates — forming one of the world’s largest independent, international emergency relief and development assistance organisations. The national agencies operate independently but cooperate closely and work together with the CARE International Board and Secretariat, based in Geneva.

In Australia, CARE’s offices are located in Canberra and Melbourne. To find out more, please visit our Contact us page.

CARE Australia is non-religious and non-political, allowing us to deliver humanitarian assistance to anyone in need regardless of race, ethnicity, age, religion, political views and including men, women, boys and girls. To find out more, please visit our Mission and Vision page.

Building a world where women and girls are equal.

We cannot eradicate poverty while inequality persists. Discrimination harms and disadvantages women and girls. Discrimination fuels food insecurity, safety risks, and exclusion from life-saving services and opportunities. It weakens global security, development, the economy, food security, health, climate, and the environment.

And yet, women have demonstrated many times over that they are the strongest agents of change. When women and girls lead and make decisions, they drive the changes needed to end poverty and inequality.

Find out more at Our Focus page.

We rely on the generous support of the Australian public to fund our work. We build on this support by attracting additional funds from institutional donors such as the Australian Government and the United Nations. To find out more, please visit our Funding page.

Yes. CARE volunteers provide invaluable support for our work in the developing world, providing valuable time, energy and dedication towards achieving a world of hope, inclusion and social justice. Contact us for more information here.

CARE Australia strives to be excellent in all that it does but recognises that this may not always be the case. When we make a mistake, or if anyone involved in our work behaves illegally, unethically, unsafely or dishonestly, we want and need, to be informed. We will use the information to endeavour to put things right and help us become more effective. For more information, please visit our Complaints page.

In 2023/24, CARE Australia spent:

• 83% combined funds of investment in programs
• 9% of total expenditure on accountability, administration and our talented people.
• 6% of total expenditure to raise future funds
• 2% on advocacy and community education

Like all organisations, CARE’s work relies on administration spending. Our expert staff, strong accountability measures and world-class computer infrastructure all contribute to a better organisation and better development outcomes. That’s why when a small fraction of your donation goes to administration, it’s not taking away from the life-changing work that we do – it’s supporting it.

To find out more, please visit our Where the Money Goes page.

There are many ways that you can get involved with CARE and raise money for our life-saving work. To find out more go to our Ways to give page.

You can also donate to CARE’s efforts to eliminate poverty.

If you’re planning a fundraising event for CARE Australia, please contact fundraise@care.org.au and we’ll be happy to discuss how we can support your event. Any group wishing to use CARE’s name or logo on any promotional materials must first seek approval from CARE Australia prior to usage. To find out more, please visit our Fundraise page.

Contact us on 1800 DONATE (1800 020 046) or email info@care.org.au to update details such as payment method, donation amount, address or preferred method of contact.

CARE Australia does not accept donated goods, as experience has shown that this is usually not cost effective and creates logistical difficulties. It is a CARE Australia policy that whenever possible we procure items in the country in which we operate, thereby supporting developing economies.

If you would like to help, we ask you to contribute a cash donation, which can then be used to buy what is most needed in the region concerned. Have a look at the number of ways you can support women and defeat poverty here.

We share with our supporters the desire for everyone to have a fair chance in life, an equal opportunity.

For over 75 years, CARE has been providing assistance to those in poverty regardless of race, religion or ethnicity. CARE Australia supports women around the globe to save lives, defeat poverty and achieve social justice.

We work in partnership with local communities to provide equal opportunities for women that they have long been denied: the ability to earn an income, gain access to their fair share of resources, to lead and participate in decisions that affect their lives, and to be able to withstand the increasing impacts of climate disasters and other crises.

CARE is currently fighting poverty and providing humanitarian aid in 121 countries around the world. Here at home, we at CARE Australia, work mostly with our neighbours in South-East Asia and the Pacific regions because we know this is where we can be the most effective. We have three Country Offices in Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and Vanuatu. To find out more, please visit our Where we work page.

The majority of CARE staff are local to the country they work in, so our staff speak local languages and understand the needs of local cultures they work in. To find out more, please visit our Staff & Board page.

We start by assessing needs in consultation with the local communities, then design programs that effectively respond to these needs. We also work with local authorities, governments and other non-government organisations to ensure that we co-ordinate and support each other’s efforts. Our evidence-based approach ensures the most effective poverty-fighting outcomes. Visit Our Work page for more information.

CARE responds to humanitarian emergencies – such as drought, flood, earthquakes and conflict – by meeting the immediate needs of those affected. Our longer-term response helps people rebuild their lives and restore their livelihoods in the months and years to follow. To find out more, visit our Emergencies page.

CARE’s projects are regularly monitored and evaluated during their implementation and appropriate adjustments are made to ensure our efforts are maximised. Once complete, projects are then comprehensively evaluated with lessons shared among CARE Country Offices.

Each project is based on the goal of improving the capacities of local people so that, once projects are complete, development will be sustainable and the benefits of the project continue.

CARE Australia holds full accreditation status as a partner in the Australian Government’s NGO Co-operation Program. To maintain accreditation, CARE Australia’s systems, policies and processes are regularly and rigorously reviewed by the government. Our status as a Partner Agency reflects the Government’s confidence in CARE Australia’s professionalism, accountability and effectiveness. To find out more, visit our Codes of Conduct page.