Departmental operational information

Working with ministerial offices

Departmental Liaison Officers

A Departmental Liaison Officer (DLO) is a public servant who is temporarily placed in a minister's office (MO). They act as a conduit between their department and the MO.

Information on the allocation of our DLOs to portfolio ministers is provided in the table below. This information is updated twice a year.

Correct as at 31 December 2024.

Ministerial briefs and correspondence

We routinely provide briefings to our ministers.

The table below shows the number of briefings provided to ministers or assistant ministers.

The table below shows the number of correspondence sent for ministers or assistant minister signature.

The Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission provided 49 briefs to the ministers and assistant minister between 29 September 2022 and 31 December 2024.

Interdepartmental committees, taskforces, reviews and entities

Interdepartmental committees

An Interdepartmental Committee (IDC) is a common governance body for cross-agency taskforces. An IDC is where officials from representative agencies may discuss work and provide input on deliverables.

The Department of Social Services and its portfolio agencies are regularly involved in the work of IDCs. We participate in IDCs that are led by the following departments/agencies:

• Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
• Department of Finance
• The Treasury
• Department of Health and Aged Care
• Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
• National Indigenous Australians Agency
• Attorney General’s Department
• Department of Education
• Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
• Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
• Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts
• Australian Tax Office
• Department of Employment and Workplace Relations
• Department of Home Affairs
• National Disability Insurance Agency
• Australian Bureau of Statistics
• Digital Transformation Agency
• Department of Industry, Science and Resources

Some examples of IDC topics include: 

• Australian Public Service reforms
• Closing the Gap
• health and wellbeing
• aged care
• people with disability
• gender equality
• education
• employment
• children and young people
• seniors
• families
• communities
• income management
• housing
• migration
• regional development
• international relations
• finance
• privacy
• integrity
• resilience and emergency management.

By their nature, IDCs can be established and conclude their work rapidly as the need arises.

Taskforces

Taskforces are a method of doing business across the Australian Public Service (APS), including in the department. We regularly establish taskforces to meet emerging or high-profile government priorities. Some are short term (3 to 6 months), some longer (one to 3 years). All taskforces require dedicated focus, varying timescales, set-up and delivery resourcing and effort from many parts of the department and more broadly across the APS.

We, and our portfolio agencies, are regularly involved in the work of a range of taskforces.

Reviews

We are also involved in reviews. Our current reviews, as at 31 December 2024, are:

• Evaluation of the Escaping Violence Payment trial
• National Model of Care
• Review of child, youth and parenting programs under the Families and Children (FaC) Activity
• Review of Carer Payments Assessment process
• Transition to Independent Living Allowance (TILA) Review
• Review of jurisdictions’ implementation of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle
• Evaluation of Paid Parental Leave.

The department’s reviews which were released between 1 July 2022 and 31 December 2024, are:

• Evaluation of the Escaping Violence Payment (EVP) trial - released on 15 September 2023
• Social Impact Investing (SII) Program First Phase Evaluation Report - released on 28 June 2024
• Review of the Reconnect Program – released on 28 June 2024
• Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-2031 – 2024 Review - released on 3 December 2024
• Review of the Impact of the Cashless Debit Card (CDC) Transition by the University of Adelaide - released in March 2024.

Entities

Since 1 July 2022, the following new entities including advisory boards and agencies have been wound up, amalgamated, ceased, disbanded, or reconstituted as new bodies:

• Prime Minister’s Community Business Partnership – ceased in October 2022
• Financial Counselling Industry Funding Advisory Group – ceased 30 June 2023
• Early Years Strategy Advisory Panel – ceased 7 June 2024
• National Autism Strategy Oversight Council – ceased 14 August 2024

Since 1 July 2024, the following new entities including advisory boards and agencies were created:

• National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People (entity) – commenced operations on 13 January 2025.

Groups, councils and committees

Our groups, councils and committees provide ways for people and organisations to help us develop policies and provide advice on specific issues.

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership Group 
  The Leadership Group shares decisions with all Australian governments in implementing Safe and Supported: the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2021-2031.
• Australia’s Disability Strategy Advisory Council
  The Advisory Council’s role is to advise Australian governments and disability ministers on the implementation of Australia’s Disability Strategy.
• Blueprint Expert Advisory Group (BERG)
  An advisory group established to create a sector led not for profit Blueprint to provide the not for profit and charities sector with support and strategic direction.
• Child Support Expert Panel 
  An expert panel established to support the Department to commission updated costs of children and related research, to review the child support formula’s Costs of the Children Table. 
• Child Support Stakeholder Consultation Group
  An advisory group to Government on the Child Support Scheme to help achieve better outcomes for separated and separating families.
• Community Services Advisory Group
  A key community sector stakeholder engagement group on issues relating to the department’s policies and programs.
• Disability Communications Working Group (DCOM)  
  Commonwealth representatives that meet to inform the development of the Accessible Communications Associated Plan and standards. Consists of members who have lived experience in disability and expertise in accessible communications. The Accessible Communications Technical Advisory Group help guide the DCOM in the development of draft standards and the Accessible Communication Associated Plan.
• Disability Reform Ministerial Council
  The Ministerial Council provides advice about how to improve disability policy and implementation through Australia's Disability Strategy (ADS) and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
• Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee
  Provides independent advice to Government before each Budget on economic inclusion and tackling disadvantage.
• Housing and Homelessness Ministerial Council
  The Ministerial Council provides a forum to progress critical housing and homelessness reforms, including improving housing supply, affordability and accessibility, and pathways out of homelessness. 
• Intercountry Adoption Authorities
  We perform the duties of the Australian Central Authority under the Hague Convention. There is also a central authority for each state and territory. Responsibility for intercountry adoption is shared across these central authorities.
• National Coordination Group
  The National Coordination Group monitors demand for Emergency Relief, Food Relief and Financial Counselling services in response to cost of living pressures and natural disasters. The Group provides advice to government on where additional support is most needed.
• National Disability Data Asset Council
  An expert Council that oversees the use of the National Disability Data Asset.
• National Leadership Group
  A cross-sector advisory body that supports the implementation of the Stronger Places, Stronger People initiative.
• NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee 
  Will give advice to government on the suitability of supports for funding under the NDIS.
• Parents and Carers Reference Group
  Provides parents and carers with the opportunity to share their experience and knowledge to help inform policy, programs and services for families.
• Partnership Priorities Committee
  Helps steer better policy and delivery outcomes by embedding partnerships and co‑design.

Operational matters

Events catering expenditure 

All hospitality provided at events delivering government objectives where attendance included people other than departmental officials, consisted of general catering for working meals or light refreshments. The approximate cost was:

• 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024: $241,911
• 1 July 2024 to 31 December 2024: $64,108.

Official Hospitality Events as at 31 December 2024

*The total event cost includes expenditure for catering, venue hire audio-video and other expenses relating to an event. 

Department leadership forums

We regularly hold in-person executive forums to build capability in our leadership. These are for both senior leadership staff (including SES and state managers), and for Executive Level 2 staff. In-person forums are usually 5 to 6 hours long and involve catering for morning tea and lunch (buffet-style of salads, sandwiches/wraps and a hot food option). Participants are encouraged to attend in-person, with an online option also available for those unable to attend.

2024

Executive Level 2 forums

Senior leadership forums

2023

Executive Level 2 forums

Senior leadership forums

Community Grants Hub Forums

A series of staff training and development forums were held for Health Grants Branch (HGB) staff in the Community Grants Hub. The forums focussed on various programs and work areas as follows:

• Aged Care Forum – 1 to 2 October 2024
• Indigenous Health and First Nations Forum – 16 to 17 October 2024
• Business Improvement, Processing and Enabling Teams Forum – 30 to 31 October 2024

Itemised list of catering costs is detailed in table below

Travel

Our Official Travel Policy provides the overarching rules and principles for officials undertaking official travel, or organising official travel for others, including:

• officials ensuring maximum value for money is achieved when booking travel. Value for money requires the use of Commonwealth resources in a proper (efficient, effective, economical and ethical) manner, and is enhanced through competition.
• when booking travel, officials making decisions based on an impartial consideration of the fares available and not on a personal preference for a particular airline or aircraft type, provision of access to airline lounges or accumulating airline status points.
• official travel being undertaken where other communication tools, such as teleconferencing and videoconferencing, are an impractical option.

Travel expenses

The total travel expense for the department including Secretary and Deputy Secretary travel is:

• 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024: $7.19 million.
• 1 July 2024 to 31 December 2024: $5.02 million.

The table below shows details of Secretary and Deputy Secretary travel.*

* Data is provided by the whole-of-government contract provider and at the time of publication may not include adjustments of trips (including amended travel dates, and late cancellations) in this reporting period. The data provided includes flights, ground transport and accommodation.
** Deputy Secretary positions reflect titles outlined on the department's organisation chart at the time of publication.
*** Includes international travel.

Facilities

The department has a presence in each state and territory with approximately 3,600 work points.

Upgrades to our staff amenities (including SES offices) are managed in accordance with Commonwealth guidelines and policies, including the Commonwealth Procurement Rules.

From 1 July 2023 to 31 December 2024, we had 8 contracts with a total value of $4,973,598 relating to upgrades to staff amenities as per table below. Our procurement contracts with a minimum contract value of $10,000 (GST inclusive) and above are reported on the AusTender website.

The table below shows costs and details of upgrades to staff amenities.

Our people

We continue to invest in our people’s capability and grow the diversity of our workforce to support the government to deliver outcomes for all Australians.

Our employee data is reported on biannually, based on data as at the end of June and end of December, via the APS Employment Database (APSED).

Learn more about the department’s organisational structure, including SES, on the organisational structure page.

As at 31 December 2024, the department’s workforce consisted of:

• 3,605 APS staff
• 386 contractors.

Of the 3,605 APS staff:

• 3,422 are ongoing
• 183 are non-ongoing.

We have 235 APS staff who identify as a person with disability (6.5% against the APS average of 5.4%*).

We have 164 APS Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff who work for the department (4.5 % compared to the APS average of 3.4 %*).

* APS Employment Data 30 June 2024, published 27 September 2024.

The table below shows the Average Staffing Level (ASL), Full Time Employees (FTE) headcount and contractors as at 31 December 2024.

The table below shows the staff headcount and diversity numbers by classification as at 31 December 2024.

*APS employees only.

**This includes staff in their acting role and the substantive who are on leave.

***The department currently uses Non-English Speaking Background (NESB) data from the human resources (HR) system to determine Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) status.

Recruitment

We continue to have a consistent approach on recruitment, taking approximately 14 weeks to complete the advertising, shortlisting, interviewing, and onboarding processes. Although the number of jobs advertised in the past 12 months has increased, the timeframe has remained the same.

During the period 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024, the department has advertised a total of 290 vacancies, both ongoing and non-ongoing roles.

During the period 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024, the department has engaged 521 ongoing employees and 249 non-ongoing employees (total 770).

The table below shows the number of ongoing and non-ongoing staff working full time or part time.

Of the 521 ongoing staff, 426 transferred to us from other APS agencies.

325 employees transferred at the same classification and 97 employees commenced on promotion.

Flexible work arrangements as at 31 December 2024:

• 1,959 of our people have approved working away from the office arrangements, accounting for 56% of the workforce (ongoing and non-ongoing employees)
• 523 of our people worked on a part time employment arrangement
• 292 also accessed working away from the office arrangements
• 273 of our people accessed compressed hours
• 181 also accessed working away from office arrangements
• 591 of our people worked a pattern of hours outside of the standard hours
• 358 also accessed working away from the office arrangements
• 1,083 staff within ACT had a flexible work agreement in place, accounting for 45.4 % of all ACT staff (excluding non-APS contractors). 

The table below shows a breakdown of employees working from home per fortnight.

A total of 1,083 staff (excluded non-APS contractors) work 6 or more days per fortnight at home. The table below shows the APS classification for these staff.

Work health and safety

We are committed to promoting and sustaining a robust safety and wellbeing culture. We value physical and psychological health, safety and wellbeing and promoting inclusivity.

From 1 July 2024 to 31 December 2024, 5 incidents were notified to Comcare.

Freedom of Information requests

We are subject to the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth), including the requirement to publish information as part of the Information Publication Scheme (IPS).

Further detail about the information which has been released in response to an FOI request is available on our Freedom of Information Disclosure Log.

Advertising

The department's total expenditure on government approved information and advertising campaigns in financial year 2024-25 to 31 December 2024 is $16,994,649 (GST exclusive) as itemised in the table below.

Promotional merchandise

From 1 July 2024 to 31 December 2024, we spent $8,500 (GST exclusive).

From 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024, our spend on promotional products was $8,160 (GST exclusive).

Procurement activities

Our approach to procuring goods and services, including consultancies, is undertaken in accordance with the Public Governance Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (Cth) and the requirements of the Commonwealth Procurement Rules.

In 2023–24, we entered into 418 contracts with a total value of $169.9 million (GST inclusive). Further, between 1 July 2024 and 31 December 2024, we entered into 197 contracts with a total value of $131.9 million (GST inclusive). In accordance with the Commonwealth Procurement Rules, we publish all procurement contracts with a value greater than $10,000 (GST inclusive) on the AusTender website.

In 2023-24, we awarded 39 contracts to Indigenous businesses with a total value of $15.3 million (GST inclusive). Further, between 1 July 2024 and 31 December 2024, we awarded 15 contracts to Indigenous businesses with a total value of $3.7 million (GST inclusive).

Market Research

In 2022–23, we entered into 7 market research contracts with a total value of $1,591,755.14 (GST inclusive)

In 2023–24, we entered into 13 market research contracts with a total value of $2,866,696.60 (GST inclusive)

Further, between 1 July 2024 and 31 December 2024, we entered into 6 market research contracts with a total value of $1,679,512.69 (GST inclusive)

Use of consultants

In 2023–24, we entered into 60 contracts with a total value of $23.5 million (GST inclusive). Further, between 1 July 2024 and 31 December 2024, we entered into 29 new consultancy contracts with total value of $10.0 million (GST inclusive).

We engage consultants:

• when there is a need for independent research and assessment
• when there is a need for specialised or professional skills
• where there are skills currently unavailable within the department.

In accordance with the Commonwealth Procurement Rules, details about our consultancy contracts with a contract value of $10,000 (GST inclusive) and above are reported on the AusTender website.

Paper usage

Our paper usage and its cost for the last 5 financial years: