25 Must-Follow NGOs in Australia & Oceania
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The NGO sector in Australia & Oceania plays an integral role in society. Australians and Kiwis are well-known for their generosity and philanthropy is often interwoven into personal and work life. Combining that philanthropic spirit with a growing tech startup economy and a solid Internet infrastructure, the NGO sector in Australia & Oceania is rapidly advancing its use online technology. In the South Pacific where Internet access is challenging, innovation in mobile technology is helping fill the gap. That said, below are 25 NGOs that stand out in their use of nonprofit technology and social media.
1) 350 Pacific ▪ 350pacific.org
Apia, Samoa 
350 Pacific is a youth-led grassroots network working with communities to fight climate change in the Pacific Islands. 350 Pacific has facilitated workshops, organised days of action to raise awareness about climate change, participated in the UN climate negotiations, and is currently mobilising the warriors of the Pacific Islands to challenge the fossil fuel industry.
2) Animals Australia ▪ animalsaustralia.org
Melbourne, Australia 
Animals Australia’s is an animal protection organization that advocates for treating animals with compassion and respect and a life free from cruelty. Their investigations and campaigns into slaughterhouse and factory farming abuse, animals testing, and animals enslaved for entertainment are recognised wordlwide and have improved the lives of millions of animals.
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3) ANTaR ▪ antar.org.au
Parap, Australia
ANTar is a grassroots organization of Australians in support of justice, rights and respect for Australia’s First Peoples. Independent and non-partisan, the NGO has been working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and leaders since 1997 to help secure human rights for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and to advocate for reconciliation.
4) Antarctic Ocean Alliance ▪ antarcticocean.org
Sydney, Australia
The Antarctic Ocean Alliance is a coalition of environmental and conservation organisations working to support the creation of a network of marine protected areas in Antarctica. Founded in 2010, the NGO advocates for the Southern Ocean, the world’s healthiest ocean, and the thriving populations of penguins, seals, and whales that live there.
5) Australian Koala Foundation ▪ savethekoala.com
Brisbane, Australia
The Australian Koala Foundation is dedicated to the conservation and effective management of the wild koala and its habitat. Formed in 1986, the NGO has grown from a small group of people interested in researching koala disease, to a well-known, global organisation with a strong track record in strategic koala research, conservation and community education.Follow ▶ Facebook ▪ Twitter ▪ LinkedIn ▪ YouTube
6) Buk Bilong Pikinini ▪ bukbilongpikinini.org
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea 
Buk bilong Pikinini supports Papua New Guinean children by providing them access to high quality books and literacy programs. Papua New Guinea currently has the lowest levels of literacy in the Pacific, thus BbP establishes libraries through the country. Each library has more than 2,000 children's books as well as educational toys and craft materials.
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7) Bush Heritage Australia ▪ bushheritage.org.au
Melbourne, Australia
Founded in 1991, Bush Heritage is a national nonprofit organisation conserving biodiversity in Australia. They do this by buying and managing land of outstanding conservation value, in partnership with other landowners. Through conservation, the NGO helps protect native plants and animals on millions of hectares of Australia’s most ecologically important landscapes.
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8) CARE Australia ▪ care.org.au
Canberra, Australia
CARE works around the globe to save lives, defeat poverty, and achieve social justice. At the center of their mission is empowering women and girls because of their belief that the global community cannot overcome poverty until all people have equal rights and opportunities. Health, education, and economic development are some of their core program areas.
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9) Connecting Up ▪ connectingup.org
Adelaide, Australia
Connecting Up manages technology donation programs of companies such as Microsoft, Cisco, Adobe, Symantec, and Google to qualified not-for-profit organisations in Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia. The organization also provides a variety of nonprofit technology information, training, and resources and manages an online directory of Australian nonprofits.
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10) Conservation Council of Western Australia ▪ ccwa.org.au
Perth, Australia
The Conservation Council of Western Australia works to educate the public about the importance of conservation and lobbies on environmental issues in order to create legislative change. From the protection of natural areas and wildlife to building sustainable communities, the NGO works to secure an enduring legacy for future generations.
11) Fiji Women’s Rights Movement ▪ fwrm.org.fj
Suva, Fiji 
The Fiji Women’s Rights Movement is an NGO committed to removing discrimination against women through institutional reforms and attitudinal changes. Founded in 1986, FWRM is operated by a team of feminists and queer activists who constantly strive to empower, unite and provide leadership opportunities for women in Fiji, especially for emerging young leaders.
12) Fred Hallows Foundation ▪ hollows.org
Sydney, Australia
The Fred Hollows Foundation is inspired by the work of the late Professor Fred Hollows who was an eye doctor, a surgeon, and a social justice activist who championed the right of all people to high quality eye care and good health. Since the NGO was established in 1992, the foundation has helped restore sight to more than 1 million people worldwide.
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13) Good2Give ▪ good2give.ngo
North Sydney, Australia
Good2Give is a not-for-profit organisation committed to building a more giving society. They advise businesses on how start workplace giving programs as well as how to engage with charitable organisations. They also provide technology solutions and services to efficiently and securely process donations across Australia and New Zealand.
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14) headspace ▪ headspace.org.au
Melbourne, Australia
headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation provides early intervention mental health services to 12-25 year olds. They offer in-person counseling and youth services at over 100 headspace Centres throughout Australia and offer a crisis hotline on general mental health, physical health, work & study, and drugs & alcohol.
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15) Orange Sky Laundry ▪ orangeskylaundry.com.au
Brisbane, Australia
Orange Sky Laundry is a mobile laundry service providing homeless people with access to free washing and drying facilities. Run by volunteers, the NGO also operates mobile shower vans and is currently working on partnering with food vans to provide meals the homeless throughout Australia. Follow ▶ Facebook ▪ Twitter ▪ Instagram ▪ LinkedIn ▪ YouTube
16) OzHarvest ▪ ozharvest.org
Sydney, Australia
OzHarvest is the first perishable food rescue organisation in Australia. The NGO collects quality excess food from more than 2,000 commercial outlets, such as fruit and vegetable markets, supermarkets, hotels, farmers, and corporate events, and delivers it direct and free of charge, to more than 900 charities. To date, more than 58 million meals have been delivered.
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17) Plunket ▪ plunket.org.nz
Wellington, New Zealand 
Plunket is the largest provider of free support services for the development, health, and wellbeing of children under five in New Zealand. The NGO sees more than 90% of newborns in New Zealand each year. In addition to parenting information, Plunket nurses provide support through home and clinic visits, mobile clinics and PlunketLine, a free telephone advice service.
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18) Project Jonah ▪ projectjonah.org.nz
Auckland, New Zealand
Founded in 1974 Project Jonah began as an anti-whaling organization. Today, it has evolved into a an NGO that delivers essential first aid to stranded or injured animals through their nationwide network of trained Marine Mammal Medics. Also, through their public education and awareness campaigns, they work to inform and educate people about marine conservation.
19) Surfing Australia ▪ surfingaustralia.com
Coolangatta, Australia
Surfing Australia is a National Sporting Organisation that was formed in 1963 to establish, guide and promote the development of surfing in Australia. Surfing underpins an important part of the Australian coastal fabric. It forms part of a lifestyle in which millions participate with a mystique in which millions more have a documented interest.
20) TLC for Kids ▪ tlcforkids.ngo
Brunswick, Australia
TLC for Kids is a children’s charity dedicated to giving practical and emotional support to sick kids and their families across Australia. Healthcare professionals at 405 hospitals can contact TLC to request immediate support and nearly 2,000 TLC Distraction Boxes equipped with tools to distract young children through painful examinations and procedures are currently in use.
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21) TradeAid ▪ tradeaid.org.nz
Christchurch, New Zealand
Established in 1973, Trade Aid purchases craft and food products from over 60 trading partners, which represent hundreds of thousands of small farmers and artisans throughout the world, and sells them online and at numerous retail stores in New Zealand. If organised and regulated properly, the NGO believes that fair trade can lift the world’s poor out of poverty.
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22) UNFPA Pacific ▪ unfpa.org/pacific
Suva, Fiji
The United Nations Population Fund Pacific works so that every pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The NGO focus on sexual and reproductive health and rights, prevention of sexually transmitted infections, gender equality, and emerging issues in population and development, such as ageing and climate change.
23) Vanuatu Red Cross Society ▪ vanuaturedcross.org
Port Vila, Vanuatu 
The Vanuatu Red Cross Society provides communities with skills and services in first aid, health and sanitation, disaster preparedness, humanitarian law, and emergency response. Their fundamental mission is to improve the lives of the most vulnerable without discrimination through voluntary service.
24) Volunteer Service Abroad ▪ vsa.org.nz
Wellington, New Zealand
Volunteer Service Abroad is New Zealand’s largest and most experienced volunteer agency working in international development. We bring together New Zealanders and our Asia-Pacific neighbours to share their skills and experience in education, health, and sustainable development in Melanesia, Polynesia, and Timor-Leste.
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25) UNICEF New Zealand ▪ unicef.org.nz
Wellington, New Zealand
UNICEF New Zealand supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. From Vanuatu to Lebanon, Nepal to Namibia, UNICEF New Zealand has become one of the most impactful NGOs in motivating Kiwis to help change the world.
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This list was curated by Heather Mansfield, Principal Blogger at Nonprofit Tech for Good, author of the Global NGO Online Technology Report, and promoter of NGOs, nonprofits, and charities worldwide at @NonprofitOrgs.