The Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolio is responsible for advising the government and implementing programs on rural adjustment and drought issues, plant and animal biosecurity and Australia’s agricultural, fisheries, food and forestry industries.

The Attorney-General’s portfolio is responsible for: legal services; national security and criminal law; integrity and anti-corruption matters; the Commonwealth justice system including courts, tribunals, justice policy and legal assistance; regulation and reform; protecting and promoting human rights; and support for Commonwealth royal commissions

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is Australia’s principal revenue collection entity and is part of the Treasury portfolio. The ATO’s role is to administer Australia’s tax system, significant aspects of Australia’s superannuation system and business registry services.

The Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water portfolio is responsible for advising the government and implementing programs on: climate change; energy supply efficiency, quality, performance and productivity; the environment, biodiversity and heritage; meteorological services; water resources; and Australia’s interests in the Antarctic and Southern Ocean.

Cross-entity audits are performance audits of the same activity in a number of entities or the administration of a program by a number of entities.

The Defence portfolio includes a number of entities that together are responsible for the defence of Australia and its national interests. The principal entities within the portfolio are the Department of Defence, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the Australian Signals Directorate, Defence Housing Australia and the Australian Submarine Agency. The Department of Veterans’ Affairs is discussed separately.

The Education Portfolio is responsible for: contributing to Australia’s economic prosperity and social wellbeing by creating opportunities and driving better outcomes through access to quality education. The portfolio is comprised of six entities, including the Department of Education.

The Employment and Workplace Relations portfolio is responsible for: skills, vocational and employment pathways; workplace relations; work health and safety; and rehabilitation and compensation.

The Finance portfolio is responsible for a range of finance-related functions, including providing the Australian Government with budget policy advice, superannuation arrangements for government employees, deregulation policy, data and digital policy and services and asset sales.

The Foreign Affairs and Trade Portfolio is responsible for: delivering a global network of embassies and missions and international affairs policy capability to support Australia’s interests and influence abroad. 

The Health and Aged Care portfolio works towards achieving better health and wellbeing for all Australians, now and for future generations. A total of 19 entities make up the portfolio.

The Home Affairs portfolio brings together the functions of: counter-terrorism; cyber security policy and coordination; countering foreign interference; transport security; emergency management and critical infrastructure protection; border protection and the facilitation of legitimate trade and travel; immigration, citizenship and multicultural affairs; and natural disaster response and mitigation

The Industry, Science and Resources portfolio is responsible for supporting a productive, resilient, and sustainable economy that is enriched by science and technology. 

The Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts portfolio covers a number of policy areas, including safety across the civil aviation, maritime and transport sectors; air navigation services; developing and administering the national capital; road, rail and freight transport systems; communication services; digital technologies; and public access to the arts and culture.

The NDIA has responsibility for delivering the National Disability Insurance Scheme (the Scheme). The Scheme is designed to: provide individual control and choice in the delivery of reasonable and necessary care and support; improve the independence, social and economic participation of eligible people with disability, their families and carers; and provide associated referral services and activities.

The parliamentary departments support the operation of the Parliament of Australia, its committees and members. There are four parliamentary entities: the Department of Parliamentary Services; the Department of the Senate; the Department of the House of Representatives; and the Parliamentary Budget Office.

The Prime Minister and Cabinet portfolio is responsible for: providing advice and support to the Prime Minister, the Cabinet, portfolio ministers and assistant ministers on matters that are at the forefront of public policy and government administration; and providing stewardship of the Australian Public Service (APS).

Services Australia delivers a range of payments and services to support individuals, families and communities, as well as providers and businesses. These include income support payments and services, aged care payments, Medicare payments and services, child support services and a range of ICT functionalities for Australian Government departments and agencies.

The Social Services portfolio is responsible for achieving the Australian Government’s social policy outcomes and delivering social security priorities through policy advice, program administration and research.

The Treasury Portfolio is responsible for a range of activities aimed at achieving strong sustainable economic growth for the good of Australians. The Department of the Treasury (the Treasury) is the lead entity in the portfolio and provides policy advice, analysis and the delivery of economic policies and programs, including legislation, administrative payments and regulatory functions,

The Veterans’ Affairs Portfolio is responsible for developing government policy and implementing programs to fulfil Australia’s obligations to veterans, war widows or widowers, families, serving and former members of the Australian Defence Force, certain Australian Federal Police officers with overseas service and Australian participants in British nuclear tests in Australia and their families and dependents.