As of July 2020[update], the agencies are principally grouped into 14 principal departments,[2][3] each led by a secretary, director-general, or similarly-titled executive officer and comprising a number of portfolios covering specific policy areas across the department and allocated statutory authorities, trading enterprises, boards, councils and other public bodies. Agencies have varying levels of operational autonomy, and deliver one or more of frontline public services, administrative functions and law enforcement. Some are structured as for-profit corporations. Where there are multiple portfolios within a department, the Secretary may be accountable to a number of ministers.
Employment policy, including equal employment opportunity;
Labour market programmes and research;
Vocational skills, including foundational skills for adults, apprenticeships, training and skills assessments, training transitions policy and programmes, and vocational education;
Work health and safety, rehabilitation and compensation;
Work and family programmes; and
Workplace relations policy development, advocacy and implementation.
Budget policy advice and process (except for federal budgets), and review of governmental programmes;
Government financial accountability, efficiency, governance and financial management frameworks;
Asset sales;
Management of non-Defence Commonwealth property;
Electoral matters;
Public data policy and related matters; and
Whole of government information and communications technology and related matters.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, dealing with External Affairs, international expositions, provision to Australian citizens of secure travel identification and consular services whilst abroad, overseas property management, and the tourism industry.
Commonwealth emergency management, including hazards relief, recover and mitigation policy, and financial assistance including payments to the States and Territories and the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment; and
The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, dealing with matters including intergovernmental relations with State and Territory Governments, Commonwealth Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander policy, Women's policies and programmes, and coordination of Government administration.
The Department of Social Services, dealing with matters such as income support and security, child support, social housing, rent assistance and homelessness, the non-profit sector, employment services for people with disabilities, and services and payments relating to social security, child support, students, families, aged care and health programmes.
Borrowing money on the public credit of the Commonwealth;
Currency and legal tender;
Business law and practice;
Corporate, financial services and securities law;
Population policy;
Commonwealth-State financial relations; and
Census and statistics.
The Department of Veterans' Affairs (included in the Defence Portfolio) dealing with war graves, commemorations, repatriation income support, compensation and health programs for veterans and members of the Defence Force, and Defence Service Homes.
Departments history
September 2013
On 18 September 2013 an Administrative Arrangements Order was issued by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Prime MinisterTony Abbott[5] which replaced the previous Order of 14 September 2010 issued by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Gillard government.[6][7] The Order formed or re-confirmed government departments, as follows:
The Attorney-General's Department, assuming the arts functions previously managed by the Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport
The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, assuming the indigenous affairs functions previously managed by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
National Cabinet - intergovernmental decision-making forum composed of the heads of the Commonwealth, state and territory governments of Australia established during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic
The Social Services portfolio includes the Services Australia executive agency, which also administers programs and schemes on behalf of other government departments and portfolios.
^Australian Industry Development Corporation (1970–2010), Annual report [catalogue entry, Australian Industry Development Corporation – via National Library of Australia, From 1990 this report covers the activities of the Corporation and its subsidiaries, AIDC Ltd. which also publishes its annual report separately, and Interscan International Limited.
^AIDC Ltd (1989), Annual report, AIDC Ltd, retrieved 15 July 2022, On 1 July 1989 the Company acquired the majority of the established business of Australian Industry Development Corporation.
^"Annual Report 2020-21"(PDF). National Recovery and Resilience Agency. October 2021. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
Australia portal
