Australia and Timor-Leste are deepening their partnership through more than $60 million in new Australian investments to strengthen cooperation on security, resilience, and regional engagements.
Over the next five years, Australia will support initiatives to strengthen Timor-Leste's cyber security and disaster response capabilities and expand the Timor-Leste Police Development Program.
These investments build on the Parseria Foun ba Era Foun (New Partnership for a New Era), signed by Australia's Prime Minister, the Hon Anthony Albanese, and Timor-Leste's Prime Minister, His Excellency Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, in January 2026.
Building on longstanding cooperation, the package will also support Timor-Leste's regional engagement as ASEAN's newest member.
These initiatives include:
- Cyber security uplift: Support to strengthen Timor-Leste's cyber security capabilities through specialist advisers, cyber incident response support and enhanced protection of critical systems and infrastructure.
- Maritime policing vessels: New vessels for the Timor-Leste National Police (PNTL) to patrol Timor-Leste's waters for maritime security, marine search and rescue and countering transnational crime.
- Digital forensics: Support for the development of digital forensics capabilities to strengthen Timor-Leste's national policing agencies' ability to investigate cybercrime and disrupt scam centre operations.
- Disaster response: Measures to strengthen Timor-Leste's disaster preparedness and response capabilities, including through closer integration with ASEAN and Australian disaster response systems.
These initiatives reflect Australia and Timor-Leste's commitment to addressing shared security challenges and supporting a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region.
Quotes attributable to Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles:
"Australia and Timor-Leste share a history of deep security cooperation, underpinned by decades of security cooperation and strong people-to-people ties. This package reflects the trust and friendship between our countries.
"As Timor-Leste takes on a greater role in our region as ASEAN's newest member, Australia is proud to stand alongside our close neighbour and work together in support of a peaceful, stable and prosperous region."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong:
"The Parseria Joint Declaration is driving a new era of cooperation between Australia and Timor-Leste, and these initiatives are a demonstration of our close partnership and friendship.
"As close neighbours and partners, Australia and Timor-Leste are working together to address shared challenges and ensure the peace, stability and prosperity of our region."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Home Affairs, the Hon Tony Burke:
"The Timor-Leste Police Development Program has operated continuously for 22 years and is built on the principles of cooperation, mutual respect and a shared commitment to justice.
"This package will upscale the Timor-Leste Police Development Program to ensure it remains responsive to serve the interests of the Timorese people and contribute to regional stability.
"Due to the global nature of cyber threats, it is in our shared interest to ensure critical systems and infrastructure remain resilient. That's why, as part of this package, we've committed more than $19 million for a cyber-security uplift, including an investment in specialist cyber advisors, cyber incident response support and enhanced protection of critical systems and infrastructure."
