Baptist World Aid Australia currently partners with 42 local organisations in 18 countries covering the Pacific, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, South Asia and Africa to run community development projects, a child sponsorship program, disaster management, and advocacy for the rights of the poor. It is part of Transform Aid International Group, a Christian agency taking a lead role in the Baptist movement, both in Australia and globally. The organisation is motivated by its faith, but seeks to work with all faith and secular groups, for the success of eradicating poverty across the world.

It began in 1959 when a group of committed volunteers led by Rev. Alan Prior began the poverty ending work which would one day become Baptist World Aid. Created by the Baptist Union of Australia, the organisation was born out of a response to the suffering caused by World War II. The Australia Baptist World Aid and Relief Committee provided disaster relief in the form of shelter, food, clothing and financial assistance to refugees and displaced persons. It was a grassroots movement made up of Christians from local Baptist churches, to help end extreme poverty. The work expanded when Rev. Prior learned of the hardship that children in India were facing because of poverty. In 1974, a group of volunteers started their Child Sponsorship program, signalling the beginning of an organisational focus on children which still continues.

Baptist World Aid Australia undertakes community development projects through Christian partners. It works with communities to identify the root causes of their poverty, providing support, resources and training so communities can put their plans to overcome poverty into action. Its child sponsorship program assists children to break down the barriers of poverty – for themselves and their community. Its disaster management work takes place in three phases – risk reduction, response and recovery. In the realm of advocacy, Baptist World Aid Australia raises its voice for the rights of the poor through research, mobilisation, and campaigning.

Building partnerships to generate lasting solutions to global poverty.

Baptist World Aid Australia is funded through public and private donations, and grants. In 2019, it raised funds through its Matching Grant Appeal, Child Sponsorship programme, major donors, and through gifts in wills.

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