The Australian Government will commit $100 million over five years for polio eradication and provide routine immunisations.
$20 million will be provided in 2014/15 to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative providing immunisations to fight the re-emergence of polio.
Polio continues to strike the world's most vulnerable, especially children.
This debilitating disease is on the verge of being eradicated. However progress is now at risk with outbreaks being reported in northern Africa and the Middle East.
It is endemic in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria.
Health systems have been weakened by factors such as conflict and are failing to deliver routine immunisation, exposing unimmunised children to the virus.
In response, on 5 May 2014, the World Health Organization declared polio a public health emergency of international concern.
Once eradicated, polio will be only the second major disease after small pox to be defeated. This will be a major global victory for public health.
Australia has a proud history of support for polio eradication and is committed to helping finish the job.
The last wild polio virus case in Australia was reported in 1972.