Seven new Australian volunteers have arrived in Tonga to provide assistance to Government Ministries, schools and a disability centre.

The group is the third group of Australian volunteers for Tonga this year. There are 16 Australian volunteers who are currently working in Tonga. These groups of Australian volunteers are in Tonga under the Australian Volunteers for International Development Program.

The new group of volunteers will work in paediatric rehabilitation, media and communications, vocational training, statistics and information management.

Ian Plant who will join the Tupou Tertiary in Vava’u  will assess existing curriculum and staff proficiencies and facilitate training with a strong focus on safety and requirements and building techniques. 

"Having adequately trained local workforce in Tonga strengthens the country’s ability to recover after natural disasters like Cyclone Ian," he said.

With the other volunteers and their work places, Jenny Doan and Leonard Lieu will be with the Ministry of Finance and National Planning; Victoria Swan with the Mango Tree Centre (disability centre); Kate Stevens with the Tonga National Centre for Women and Children; Mollie Whitehorn at 'Ahopanilolo Technical Institute and Guy Chandler with the Ministry of Infrastructure.