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Our government: 21. Government departments

21.1 What are government departments?

A government department is made up of people who carry out the ideas and decisions of the minister who is responsible for the department and the associated portfolio.

Each government department is different, because the way departments are staffed and run depends on the nature of each department’s work. For example, the department of defence works closely with the armed forces and has many staff working around Australia and overseas.

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21.2 What do government departments do?

Government departments implement (carry out) the ideas and decisions of executive government in a particular area of governance. Each department is led by a minister in charge, and the main work of the department is determined by legislation.

For example, the Department of the Environment and Heritage is responsible for environmental issues at a federal level. The department’s work includes:

  • assisting and advising the executive government on its policies for protecting the environment and heritage
  • administering environment and heritage laws
  • managing executive government's main environment and heritage programs
  • representing executive government in international environmental agreements related to the environment and Antarctica
  • alerting executive government to problems and issues that need attention.

Each department manages responsibilities and obligations according to relevant laws, and is directed by and answerable to the minister in charge.

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21.3 How do government departments pay for the services they provide?

Government departments receive most of their money from the Australian Government, who raises money through taxation. The amount of money that government departments receive is largely decided at Budget time. This is when the Treasurer, in consultation with the Cabinet, decides how much each department may have in order to do its work. Departments also collect money by selling information, advice, services and goods such as books and CDs.

Government departments are held accountable for how they spend their money through the Senate Estimates process. This is when senators form committees and question officials from government departments about all aspects of their work.

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