CARITAS AUSTRALIA is the Catholic agency for overseas aid and development.

CARITAS AUSTRALIA helps people to help themselves, regardless of race, political beliefs, gender or religion.

CARITAS is a Latin word, meaning love and compassion.

CARITAS AUSTRALIA belongs to an international network called CARITAS INTERNATIONALIS

CARITAS INTERNATIONALIS works with 154 organisations in 190 countries.

CARITAS AUSTRALIA has a special partnership with many countries. These include Cambodia, East Timor, Papua New Guinea and Rwanda.

CARITAS AUSTRALIA works with the local people of a particular country in all of its programs. Caritas calls these local agencies ‘Partners’.

CARITAS AUSTRALIA believes that our Partners are best placed to identify their needs and problems and to design and manage their own development programs.

CARITAS AUSTRALIA does not need to spend money on building a new organisation every time a need arises. Donations can be directed to the local Partners.

CARITAS AUSTRALIA works with our Partners in addressing the causes of their poverty and bringing about long-term change.

CARITAS AUSTRALIA supports programs for human development and self-reliance. These include improving health, overcoming illiteracy, reducing environmental damage, conserving cultural identity and providing training for better agricultural practices.

CARITAS AUSTRALIA invites guests from our partner countries to visit Australia each Lent to speak to us about Caritas programs in their country.

Project Compassion is the main way CARITAS AUSTRALIA raises money. Every Catholic school and every Catholic parish around Australia is invited to be part of the Project Compassion Appeal each Lent.

CARITAS AUSTRALIA works hard to make sure that as much aid as possible actually reaches those who need it.

The administration/aid ratio of CARITAS AUSTRALIA is one of the best in the world. We keep our administration and fundraising costs at or below 10% of our income. The average for aid and development agencies in Australia is 19%.

95 % of all money raised by CARITAS AUSTRALIA during an emergency appeal is actually sent to that country.

CARITAS AUSTRALIA has programs of education and advocacy within Australia, working to help Australians become aware of the causes of injustice and poverty and encouraging people to take action.