The Foreign Affairs and Trade Portfolio works to make Australia stronger, safer and more prosperous. The Portfolio comprises the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), Export Finance Australia (EFA), the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), Tourism Australia and the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS).

The Australian Government continues to support Australians living in regional, rural and remote areas through a number of new initiatives funded in the 2020-21 Budget, including those in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources (the Department) drives economic growth and job creation for all Australians. The Department supports the growth and transformation of our regions, and the creation of jobs across Australia. The Department delivers on these objectives by investing in areas of competitive strength or emerging priority such as resources and the National Manufacturing Priorities, building on our strong science and technology capabilities, and supporting the provision of reliable, secure and affordable energy.

The Defence Portfolio includes the Department of Defence (Defence), Defence Housing Australia (DHA) and the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD).

As at 30 June 2020, the Defence Portfolio employed 18,000 staff under the Public Service Act 1999. Of this total, 9,608 staff (53 per cent) are employed in Canberra, central Melbourne and central Sydney, 5,667 staff (32 per cent) in other capital cities and 2,725 staff (15 per cent) in regional areas.

The Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) Portfolio improves the lives of Australians by providing high quality advice and support to the Prime Minister, the Cabinet, Portfolio Ministers and Assistant Ministers. It takes a coordinated and innovative approach to the development and implementation of Australian Government policies, including those that impact on regional and remote communities.

The purpose of the 2021–22 Portfolio Budget Statements (PBS) is to inform Senators and Members of Parliament of the proposed allocation of resources to Government outcomes by agencies within the portfolio. Agencies receive resources from the annual appropriations bills, special appropriations, standing appropriations (including special accounts), and revenue from other sources.

Treasury’s role is to support and implement informed decisions on policies for the good of the Australian people, consistent with achieving strong, sustainable economic growth and fiscal settings.

The Treasury has offices in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. It has been increasing its regional engagement to deepen its understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing regional economies.