The search engine indexes web pages, PDF files and most other text-based documents located on the AusAID website.
You can enter individual search words, such as Governance.
Using a capital as the first letter will find the exact word. For example, Environment as a search term will only find the word Environment, but not words like environmental (or environment).
Using all lower case text will find words and parts of words. For example, govern will find words like governance and government as well as govern.
To find a combination of words in a phrase, embed them in quotes, for example "humanitarian assistance".
To find a combination of words, not necessarily in sequence or together (Boolean AND), prefix the words or quoted phrases with a '+' sign. For example, +Pacific +"climate change" will find documents that include both the word Pacific and the phrase climate change.
To find any one of several words (Boolean OR), enter the words without quotes. For example, funding assistance budget will find any or all of the words wherever they occur.
Avoid using prepositions and indefinite or definite articles in this sort of search or you'll be swamped with unhelpful results. (For example, using the words news from an overseas mission without quotes will produce a lot a unhelpful references to pages with 'from' and 'an'.)
To exclude words or phrases (Boolean NOT), prefix them with a '-' sign. For example, -administration will exclude pages that include the word administration.
Spelling is important, but don't be too concerned if you're unsure because the search engine will find near matches as well. The Advanced Search facility makes this more explicit.
