Supports Australia's wider foreign and trade policy interests and public diplomacy objectives, including promoting a distinctive and positive image of Australia.  Advances developmental outcomes in ODA-eligible countries with projects primarily focussed on practical and tangible results.

The Direct Aid Program (DAP) is a flexible, small grants program funded from Australia's aid budget and managed through 66 Australian embassies and consulates overseas. The goal of DAP is to advance developmental objectives and address humanitarian hardship in developing countries, while at the same time fulfilling Australia's international relations and public diplomacy objectives. DAP is administered on an annual basis (1 July - 30 June financial year). In 2018-19 the total DAP budget for Timor-Leste is AUD240,000. DAP is available on a not-for-profit basis to individuals, community groups, and NGOs engaged in development activities in countries that are eligible for official development assistance. The program focuses on supporting small-scale development projects and activities that involve the beneficiaries in the identification, design and management of the projects.

DAP mainly supported Local NGOs which run either by Timorese nationals and Australians. Maximum per NGO received is AUS 60,000. The outcomes have contributed to areas such as gender equality, access to justice, security report, women empowerment and envrionemental causes.