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The government is now operating in accordance with the Guidance on Caretaker Conventions, pending the outcome of the 2025 federal election.

Your guide to the structures, organisations and key people in the Australian Government

What is a board?

For the purposes of this website, the entities referred to as Australian Government boards are those that:

  • the Australian Government has some control or influence over the selection or approval of board members; and
  • are included in the annual Gender Balance on Australian Government Boards report.

Australian Government boards may be categorised as:

  • Bodies covered by the public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013
  • Ministerial Advisory Committees
  • Review committees where appointments are made by a Minister or the Cabinet
  • Commonwealth statutory authorities

The role of an Australian Government board can vary considerably between:

  • Governance - ensure corporate compliance and management accountability; endorse strategic plans
  • Regulatory - coordinate policies, plans or projects within and across portfolios
  • Registration, appeal and coordination - determine standards, monitor and regulate practice, grant licenses; investigate complaints and make judgements; and
  • Advisory - advice and make recommendations on policies, plans and practices.