The Regional Support Office (RSO) brings together practitioners from across Bali Process Member States to strengthen responses to people smuggling, trafficking in persons and related transnational crime. Through training, workshops, events and roundtables, the RSO helps improve border and migration management and ensures better protection for vulnerable people, supporting a whole-of-government approach under the Bali Process.

Working closely with Member States and Bali Process Working Groups, the RSO develops practical resources including guides, policy papers, thematic briefs and training materials. It also fosters collaboration by welcoming ideas and proposals from Member States, stakeholders and practitioners across the region.

The RSO’s work addresses key regional priorities: tackling trafficking in persons, countering people smuggling, understanding the impact of technology on transnational crime, responding to irregular migration trends, and strengthening border and migration management. By combining research, capacity-building and cooperation, the RSO helps promote security, protection and safe, orderly movement across the region.

The RSO operates with strategic guidance from the Bali Process Senior Official Co-Chairs, and Senior Officials in the Governments of Australia and Indonesia. Day to day operations are overseen by two RSO Co-Managers from the Australian and Indonesian Governments.

The RSO applies a continuous cycle of monitoring, evaluation, and learning through a formal reporting framework. This approach clarifies objectives, gathers critical data to assess effectiveness, and tracks progress toward impact goals. By measuring outcomes and capturing lessons learned, the RSO ensures openness, accountability, and meaningful progress across its activities.

To maintain transparency and engagement, the RSO publishes a Biannual Strategic Plan and Work Plan, an Annual Impact Report, Monthly Reports, a quarterly newsletter, and a six-monthly narrative finance report. The RSO Co-Managers also report twice a year to the Bali Process Co-Chairs and provide updates to the Steering Group, Ad Hoc Group, and the full Bali Process membership at Senior Officials’ Meetings and Ministerial Conferences.

The Regional Support Office (RSO) partners with Bali Process Member States to strengthen coordinated responses to trafficking in persons and people smuggling. Through training, research, policy support and regional collaboration, the RSO helps governments and practitioners turn knowledge into action, guided by a victim-centered and gender-sensitive approach.

RSO programs build operational capacity to investigate and prosecute cases, protect victims and vulnerable groups, and promote sustainable, long-term impact. The Capability Development Approach links education, operational training and institutional support, connecting policy, research and practice to drive meaningful change.

The RSO also fosters lasting collaboration through its Alumni Network, partnerships with law enforcement and regional organizations, and the use of Return to Work Action Plans that translate training into measurable results.

The RSO welcomes expressions of interest and proposals for activity from across the Bali Process membership and regional actors working to address trafficking in persons, people smuggling and related transnational crime. Opportunities to support the RSO’s work include:

• expressing interest in collaboration on new or existing initiatives,
• proposing new projects for bilateral, multilateral or regional collaboration,
• provision of direct funding to the RSO’s work, or in-kind support for new or existing initiatives,
• seconding a government official or non-government national to the RSO to undertake project-based work.

Bali Process Member States are invited to share new proposals for engagement by contacting the RSO. Proposals are considered by the RSO Co-Managers, in consultation with key stakeholders.