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; 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, the Australian War Memorial, Defence Housing Australia and the Australian Submarine Agency. The Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the Australian War Memorial are discussed separately.

The Education Portfolio is responsible for creating a better future for all Australians through education. The portfolio is comprised of six entities , including the Australian National University, Australian Research Council and 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, insurance and risk management services, ministerial and parliamentary services and Australian Government asset management services.

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 Portfolio, which is comprised of five entities  in addition to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), works in partnership across government to promote a stable and prosperous regional and global environment.

The Health, Disability and Ageing 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 comprises a range of national security and national resilience functions including: managing Australia’s migration program; cyber security policy and protection of critical infrastructure; countering terrorism and foreign interference; law enforcement policy and operations; emergency management and disaster preparedness, response and recovery; border protection and the facilitation of legitimate trade and travel.

The Industry, Science and Resources portfolio is responsible for contributing to a productive, resilient, and sustainable economy through science and technology. It does this by encouraging the development of innovative and competitive business, industries and regions, investing in science and technology and supporting the resources sector. 

The Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport 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 National Disability Insurance Agency has responsibility for delivering the National Disability Insurance Scheme. The Scheme is designed to support individuals with significant and permanent disability (participants) to be more independent and engage socially and economically by providing reasonable and necessary disability related supports.

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). The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) is the lead entity in the portfolio. 

Services Australia is the Australian Government’s primary payment and service delivery provider and delivers a range of payments and services to support individuals, families and communities, as well as providers and businesses

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 and inclusive economic and fiscal outcomes for Australians.

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.