What do we do?

At the cutting edge of reform and innovation in public policy, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet provides high level strategic policy advice on matters that are at the forefront of public and government administration.

Economic and Industry Policy

Provide policy advice on economic issues, including on taxation, superannuation, workplace relations, fiscal policy (including all policy proposals with financial implications), Commonwealth-state financial relations, macroeconomic conditions, financial markets and housing; industry, infrastructure and environment issues, including water, heritage, regional services, transport, climate change, energy and resources, communications, regulatory reform, competition policy, small business and agriculture policy issues; and the effective management of Council of Australian Government's (COAG’s) work program.

Social Policy

Provide policy advice on social policy issues, including income support, Indigenous policy, health and aged care, veteran’s affairs, housing, disabilities, employment, education and training, immigration and citizenship, families, women, youth, sport, community services and coordination of family impact statements.

National Security and International Policy

Provide policy advice on international issues, including trade, aid and treaty issues; and on national security issues, including defence, intelligence, non-proliferation, counter-terrorism, law enforcement, border protection, maritime and aviation security, critical infrastructure protection, e-security, emergency management, health security and the coordination of security-related science and technology research.

Strategic Policy

Provide strategic policy advice and analysis in relation to domestic and international issues.

Support Services for Government Operations

Provide policy advice on parliamentary, machinery of government, legal, freedom of information, privacy and cultural issues, and a range of support services, including:

• providing secretariat services to the Cabinet, its committees and the Executive Council
• monitoring the implementation of Cabinet decisions
• developing and coordinating the government’s legislation program
• coordinating and promoting awards and national symbols
• providing support to the official establishments and former Governors-General, and
• administering State occasions and the official program.

For further information see All about PM&C: what we do and how we do it - RTF 2.13MB | DOC 847KB | PDF 217KB