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Departmental Overview

Secretary and Deputy Secretaries of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. [DFAT/Nathan Fulton]

The executive, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (as at 30 June 2017). (L to R.): Deputy Secretaries Ewen McDonald and Jennifer Rawson PSM, Secretary Frances Adamson, Deputy Secretaries Penny Williams PSM, Gary Quinlan AO and Justin Brown PSM. [DFAT/Nathan Fulton]

The department’s purpose (as included in the Corporate Plan 2016–20) states:

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade works to make Australia stronger, safer and more prosperous by promoting and protecting our interests internationally and contributing to global stability and economic growth, particularly in the Indo–Pacific region.

In fulfilling this purpose, the department supports ministers in the delivery of Australia’s foreign, trade and investment, and development policy priorities. The department also works with its portfolio partners and across the Australian Government to advance Australia’s international interests. In support of this, the department utilises its Canberra-based workforce, state and territory offices and overseas missions (including embassies, high commissions, consulates-general and multilateral missions) to promote a stable and prosperous regional and global environment by deepening our engagement with bilateral and regional partners and multilateral institutions.

The department is working to boost Australia’s commercial opportunities abroad, and investment and employment prospects at home. In coordination with our portfolio and whole-of-government partners, we implement the Government’s economic diplomacy agenda by opening markets for Australian exports, promoting productive foreign investment to Australia, advancing Australian commercial interests, strengthening the global trading system, and promoting open markets and economic integration, particularly in the Indo–Pacific region.

The department delivers an innovative aid program, centred on the Indo–Pacific region, which contributes to sustainable economic growth, poverty reduction and regional stability. We lead the Government’s response to international crises, including humanitarian emergencies in the Indo–Pacific region.

By broadening international understanding in Australia and globally of the Government’s international priorities, policies and programs, the department enhances Australia’s influence and reputation on the international stage.

The department also works to strengthen international frameworks and norms that promote Australian values—such as human rights, gender equality, democratic principles and the rule of law, international security, and open and transparent global markets.

The protection and welfare of Australians abroad remains a core departmental objective. This is achieved by providing effective and courteous consular services to Australians overseas as well as a secure, efficient and responsive passport service. In specific locations, Austrade helps to deliver consular and passport services. In addition, the department provides quality protocol services to the diplomatic and consular corps accredited to Australia.

The department also continues to focus on securing the Australian Government presence overseas. This is achieved through ongoing efforts to protect our people, keep Government information and communications secure, and manage effectively Australia’s global property assets.

The department depends on a highly skilled, flexible workforce capable of developing and implementing international policy, negotiating international agreements, delivering an effective aid program and providing high-quality consular and passport services.

The Secretary and five Deputy Secretaries constitute the department’s executive. Supported by the senior executive service, the executive provides management and leadership across the department’s work in Australia and overseas. The executive is also responsible for the department’s governance and the promotion of its priorities and values, guided by our Corporate Plan and Values Statement. The department’s organisational structure is outlined in Figure 1 and our Corporate Plan 2016–20 priorities and Portfolio Budget Statements 2016–17 outcomes and programs structure are outlined in Figure 2.

Figure 1: Organisational structure (as at 30 June 2017)


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Figure 2: DFAT Corporate Plan Priority Functions and Outcomes and Programs Structure*


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STRUCTURE OF THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE PORTFOLIO

The foreign affairs and trade portfolio supported the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, the Minister for International Development and the Pacific and the Assistant Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment to advance Australia’s foreign, trade and investment, and development policy objectives.

Six agencies make up the portfolio:

  • Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
  • Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)
  • Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS)
  • Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade)
  • Tourism Australia
  • Export Finance and Insurance Corporation (Efic)

NB: Efic is not subject to outcome reporting under the Portfolio Budget Statements 2016–17.

Figure 3: Foreign affairs and trade portfolio structure and outcomes (as at 30 June 2017)


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