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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

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Department of the Senate

Departments and Agencies
  1. Parliamentary Departments (not a portfolio)

The Department of the Senate provides the Senate, its committees, the President of the Senate and Senators with a broad range of advisory and support services related to the exercise of the legislative power of the Commonwealth. Part of the Department of the Senate, the Parliamentary Education Office provides a wealth of information on Parliament by facilitating education programs, including role-plays, for over 90,000 students per year. They also create a range of engaging print and online resources about the work of the federal Parliament. The Senate contains a number of Standing Committees, Select Committees and Joint Committees; for further details refer to: http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate

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Department of Education

Departments and Agencies
  1. Education

We contribute to Australia's economic prosperity and social wellbeing by creating opportunities and driving better outcomes through access to quality education and learning.

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Contact the Department

Section
  1. Education
  2. Department of Education
  3. Contact the Department
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Department of the Treasury

Departments and Agencies
  1. Treasury

The Treasury's mission is to improve the wellbeing of the Australian people by providing sound and timely advice to the Government, based on objective and thorough analysis of options, and by assisting Treasury ministers in the administration of their responsibilities and the implementation of government decisions. The Treasury is expected to anticipate and analyse policy issues with a whole-of-economy perspective, understand government and stakeholder circumstances, and respond rapidly to changing events and directions. Treasury makes informed decisions on the development and implementation of policies to improve the wellbeing of the Australian people, including by achieving strong, sustainable economic growth, through the provision of advice to government and the efficient administration of federal financial relations.

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Department of Defence

Departments and Agencies
  1. Defence

The Department of Defence is constituted under the Defence Act 1903, its mission is to defend Australia and its national interests. In fulfilling this mission, Defence serves the Government of the day and is accountable to the Commonwealth Parliament which represents the Australian people to efficiently and effectively carry out the Government's Defence policy. Defence's mission is to defend Australia and its national interests. To achieve this, Defence prepares for and conducts military operations and other tasks as directed by the Government. The Defence White Paper was released on 25 February 2016 together with an Integrated Investment Program and Defence Industry Policy Statement. Defence White Papers are the Government's most important guidance about Australia's long-term Defence capability. They provide an opportunity for the Government and community to understand the opportunities and challenges for Australia's future Defence and security needs. The White Paper provides a strategy aligned with capability and resources to deliver a future force that is more capable, agile and potent and ready to respond to future challenges.

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Contact the Department

Section
  1. Employment and Workplace Relations
  2. Department of Employment and Workplace Relations
  3. Contact the Department
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Department of Finance

Departments and Agencies
  1. Finance

As a central agency of the Australian Government, the Department of Finance (Finance) plays an important role in assisting government across a wide range of policy areas to ensure its outcomes are met, particularly with regard to expenditure, financial management, and the operations of government. Essential services delivered by Finance include supporting the delivery of the Australian Government Budget, the ongoing management of the Australian Government's non-defence domestic property portfolio and key asset sales. Finance is also responsible for the financial framework for Australian Government Agencies. Additionally, Finance provides entitlements advice and support to parliamentarians and their employees, maintains shareholder oversight for Government Business Enterprises (GBEs), provides general insurance services to government agencies and promotes improved risk management. Finance also provides strategic advice, guidance and service provision for the productive application of new and existing information and communication technologies to government operations.

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Department of Parliamentary Services

Departments and Agencies
  1. Parliamentary Departments (not a portfolio)

The Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) supports the functioning of Parliament and parliamentarians through the provision of professional services, advice and facilities and by maintaining Australian Parliament House as a working and iconic building. DPS services include ICT, the Parliamentary Library, Hansard, parliamentary broadcasting and security. The Department also provides catering and recreation facilities, manages the Parliament House Art Collection, maintains the building and cares for its heritage, and provides services to almost one million people who visit the building each year.

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Department of the House of Representatives

Departments and Agencies
  1. Parliamentary Departments (not a portfolio)

The Department of the House of Representatives provides services to support the efficient conduct of the House of Representatives, its committees and certain joint committees as well as a range of services and facilities for Members in Parliament House. The House of Representatives contains a number of Standing Committees, Select Committees and Joint Committees; for further details refer to: https://www.aph.gov.au/committees/house

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Attorney-General's Department

Departments and Agencies
  1. Attorney-General's

The Attorney-General's Department delivers programs and policies to maintain and improve Australia's law and justice framework. Through the Australian Government Solicitor, we also provide legal services to the Commonwealth (including legal advice and representation). Our department is the central policy and coordinating element of the Attorney-General's portfolio. Our department is structured into five groups: • Australian Government Solicitor • Justice and Communites • National Security and Criminal Justice • Integrity and International • Enabling Services.

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Department of Veterans' Affairs

Departments and Agencies
  1. Veterans' Affairs (part of the Defence Portfolio)

The Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) is a primary service delivery agency responsible for developing and implementing programs that assist the veteran and defence force communities. DVA also provides administrative support and staff for the Repatriation Commission and the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission (MRCC). The Department also administers other legislation, including the Defence Service Homes Act 1918 and the War Graves Act 1980.

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Department of Home Affairs

Departments and Agencies
  1. Home Affairs

The Department of Home Affairs, led by Secretary Stephanie Foster PSM, remains responsible for immigration and customs border policy, and the following functions: •National security and law enforcement policy •Emergency management, including crisis management and disaster recovery •Countering terrorism policy and coordination •Cyber security policy and coordination •Countering foreign interference •Critical infrastructure protection •Multicultural affairs •Countering violent extremism programs •Transport Security

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Department of Social Services

Departments and Agencies
  1. Social Services

The Department of Social Services is responsible for a diverse range of policies, payments, programs and services that improve the lifetime wellbeing of people and families in Australia. The department works in partnership with other government and non-government organisations to ensure the effective development, management and delivery of these initiatives. We fund services and payments that assist families, children and older people, provide a safety net for those who cannot fully support themselves, enhance the wellbeing of people with high needs, assist those who need help with care, and support a diverse and harmonious society.

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Department of Health and Aged Care

Departments and Agencies
  1. Health and Aged Care

The Department's role is to deliver the Australian Government's priorities (outcomes) for health. It does this by developing evidence based policies, managing programs, and undertaking research and regulatory activities. The Department also leads and works closely with other agencies to achieve results for the Australian Government and community, and engages in open and constructive consultation with professionals, providers, industry, and community groups.

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Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Departments and Agencies
  1. Foreign Affairs and Trade

The department's role is to advance the interests of Australia and Australians internationally. This involves working to strengthen Australia's security; enhancing Australia's prosperity; delivering an effective and high quality aid programme; and helping Australian travellers and Australians overseas. The department provides foreign, trade and development policy advice to the government. We work with other government agencies to ensure that Australia's pursuit of its global, regional and bilateral interests is coordinated effectively.

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Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Departments and Agencies
  1. Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry works to enhance our agricultural, fisheries and forestry industries. We create new and maintain existing agricultural export opportunities, to provide gains for Australian agriculture. We manage biosecurity risks to Australia to protect our multi-billion dollar agricultural industries and our way of life.

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Department of Industry, Science and Resources

Departments and Agencies
  1. Industry, Science and Resources

The department's vision is to enable growth and productivity for globally competitive industries by supporting innovation, science and commercialisation; growing business investment and improving business capability; streamlining regulations; and building a high performance organisation.

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Department of Employment and Workplace Relations

Departments and Agencies
  1. Employment and Workplace Relations

We enable access to quality skills, training and employment to support Australians find secure work in fair, productive and safe workplaces – supporting individuals and our nation to prosper.

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