The Department of Home Affairs is the

Australian Government The Australian Government, also known as the Commonwealth Government, is the national government of Australia, a federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy. Like other Westminster-style systems of government, the Australian Government ...

interior ministry with responsibilities for national security,

law enforcement Law enforcement is the activity of some members of government who act in an organized manner to enforce the law by discovering, deterring, rehabilitating, or punishing people who violate the rules Rule or ruling may refer to: Education ...

, emergency management, border control,

immigration Immigration is the international movement of people to a destination country of which they are not natives or where they do not possess citizenship in order to settle as permanent residents or naturalized citizens. Commuters, tourists, a ...

, refugees,

citizenship Citizenship is a "relationship between an individual and a state to which the individual owes allegiance and in turn is entitled to its protection". Each state determines the conditions under which it will recognize persons as its citizens, and ...

, transport security and multicultural affairs. The portfolio also includes federal agencies such as the Australian Federal Police,

Australian Border Force The Australian Border Force (ABF) is a federal law enforcement agency, part of the Department of Home Affairs, responsible for offshore and onshore border control enforcement, investigations, compliance and detention operations in Australia. Thr ...

and the

Australian Security Intelligence Organisation The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO ) is Australia's national security agency responsible for the protection of the country and its citizens from espionage, sabotage, acts of foreign interference, politically motivated vi ...

. The Home Affairs portfolio reports to the Minister for Home Affairs, currently held by

Clare O'Neil Clare Ellen O'Neil (born 12 September 1980) is an Australian politician who is the Minister for Home Affairs An interior minister (sometimes called a minister of internal affairs or minister of home affairs) is a cabinet official position tha ...

, and is led by the Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs,

Mike Pezzullo Michael Pezzullo, is an Australian public servant. In October 2014, he was appointed the Secretary of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection. On 20 December 2017, a reshaping of departments led to him taking up the post of Secretary ...

. In 2022, the Australian Federal Police, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and Australian Transaction and Analysis Center were de-merged from the department and moved to the Attorney General portfolio. The Department was officially established on 20 December 2017, building on the former

Department of Immigration and Border Protection The Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) was a department of the Government of Australia that was responsible for immigration, citizenship and border control (including visa issuance). It has now been subsumed into the Depart ...

and bringing policy responsibilities and agencies from the Attorney-General's Department,

Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development The Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development was an Australian Government department that existed between September 2013 and December 2017. Matters dealt with by the department included: infrastructure planning and coordination; tra ...

, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and Department of Social Services. The Department of Home Affairs is seen as the Australian version of the United Kingdom's Home Office or the

United States Department of Homeland Security The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is the U.S. federal executive department responsible for public security, roughly comparable to the interior or home ministries of other countries. Its stated missions involve anti-terr ...

History

Malcolm Turnbull announces home affairs portfolio 2017

One of the seven inaugural Australian Public Service departments at the federation of Australia was the

Department of Home Affairs (1901–16) An interior ministry (sometimes called a ministry of internal affairs or ministry of home affairs) is a government department that is responsible for internal affairs. Lists of current ministries of internal affairs Named "ministry" * Ministry ...

with wide-ranging responsibilities for public works, elections, census, the public service, pensions, and inter-state relations. This department was followed by the Department of Home and Territories (1916–1928), the Department of Home Affairs (1928–32), the

Department of the Interior (1932–39) The United States Department of the Interior (DOI) is one of the executive departments of the U.S. federal government headquartered at the Main Interior Building, located at 1849 C Street NW in Washington, D.C. It is responsible for the man ...

, the

Department of the Interior (1939–72) The United States Department of the Interior (DOI) is one of the executive departments of the U.S. federal government headquartered at the Main Interior Building, located at 1849 C Street NW in Washington, D.C. It is responsible for the man ...

, the Department of Home Affairs (1977–80), and the Department of Home Affairs and Environment (1980–84). Prior to the formation of the current Department of Home Affairs, the Attorney-General's Department had responsibility for national security, law enforcement, emergency management as well as border protection alongside the various forms of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. The proposed establishment of the Department of Home Affairs was announced by Prime Minister

Malcolm Turnbull Malcolm Bligh Turnbull (born 24 October 1954) is an Australian former politician and businessman who served as the 29th prime minister of Australia from 2015 to 2018. He held office as leader of the Liberal Party of Australia. Turnbull grad ...

on 18 July 2017 to be headed by Immigration Minister Peter Dutton as the designated Minister for Home Affairs to bring together all national security, border control and law enforcement agencies of the government. The Department was officially stood up on the 20 December 2017 through an Administrative Arrangements Order. The Department combines the national security, law enforcement and emergency management functions of the Attorney-General's Department, the transport security functions of the

, the counterterrorism and cybersecurity functions of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the multicultural affairs functions of the Department of Social Services, and the entirety of the

Ministers

The ministers of the Home Affairs portfolio were announced on 31 May 2022 by the newly elected Prime Minister Anthony Albanese including a Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs held by Andrew Giles and a Minister for Emergency Management held by Murray Watt. The following are the ministers of the portfolio: * Minister for Home Affairs:

* Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs: Andrew Giles * Minister for Emergency Management: Murray Watt

Portfolio responsibilities

The Department is responsible for the following functions: *National security policy and operations, including **Countering terrorism policy and coordination **Countering foreign interference **Countering violent extremism programs *Law enforcement policy and operations *Immigration and migration, including **border security **entry, stay and departure arrangements for non-citizens **customs and border control other than quarantine and inspection * Multicultural affairs *Transport Security *Cyber policy coordination *Protective Services at Commonwealth establishments and diplomatic and consular premises in Australia *Critical infrastructure protection co-ordination *Commonwealth emergency management *Natural disaster relief, recovery and mitigation policy and financial assistance including payments to the States and Territories and the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment

Departmental functions

Counter-Terrorism

The Commonwealth Counter-Terrorism Coordinator and the Centre for Counter-Terrorism Coordination within the Department of Home Affairs (formerly within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet) provides strategic advice and support to the Minister for Home Affairs and the Prime Minister on all aspects of counterterrorism and countering

violent extremism Violent extremism is a form of extremism that condones and enacts violence with ideological or deliberate intent, such as religious or political violence. Violent extremist views can manifest in connection with a range of issues, including politics ...

policy and co-ordination across government. The Office was created after recommendations from the Review of Australia's Counter-Terrorism Machinery in 2015 in response to the

2014 Sydney hostage crisis The Lindt Cafe siege was a terrorist attack that occurred on 15–16 December 2014 when a lone gunman, Man Haron Monis, held hostage ten customers and eight employees of a Lindt chocolate café in the APA Building in Martin Place, Sydney, ...

. The Commonwealth Counter-Terrorism Coordinator also serves as the Co-Chair and or Chair of the Australian and New Zealand Counter-Terrorism Committee and the Joint Counter-Terrorism Board, with the Centre for Counter-Terrorism Coordination providing secretariat support to the Australian Counter-Terrorism Centre and the Australian and New Zealand Counter-Terrorism Committee. Along with the Deputy Counter-Terrorism Coordinator, the Centre for Counter-Terrorism Coordination is also composed of the Counter-Terrorism Operational Coordination and Evaluation Branch, the Counter-Terrorism Strategic Coordination Branch, the Counter-Terrorism Capability Branch, and the Home Affairs Counter-Terrorism Policy Branch.

Cyber Security

The National Cyber Security Adviser and the Cyber Security Policy Division within the Department of Home Affairs (formerly within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet) are responsible for cyber security policy and the implementation of the Australian Government Cyber Security Strategy. The National Cyber Coordinator also ensures effective partnerships between Commonwealth, state and territory governments, the private sector, non-governmental organisations, the research community and international partners. The National Cyber Coordinator also works closely with the Australian Cyber Security Centre and the Australian Ambassador for Cyber Issues. CERT Australia is the national computer emergency response team responsible for

cybersecurity Computer security, cybersecurity (cyber security), or information technology security (IT security) is the protection of computer systems and networks from attack by malicious actors that may result in unauthorized information disclosure, t ...

responses and providing cyber security advice and support to critical infrastructure and other systems of national interest. CERT Australia works closely with other Australian Government agencies, international CERTs, and the private sector. It is also a key element in the

Australian Cyber Security Centre The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC), the successor to the Cyber Security Operations Centre, is the Australian Government lead agency for cyber security. The ACSC is part of the Australian Signals Directorate and based at the Australian ...

, sharing information and working closely with ASIO, the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Signals Directorate, the Defence Intelligence Organisation and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission.

Aviation and Maritime Security

The Aviation and Maritime Security Division (formerly the Office of Transport Security within the

) is led by the Executive Director of Transport Security and is responsible for aviation security, air cargo security, maritime security, and various transport security operations.

Transnational Serious and Organised Crime

The Commonwealth Transnational Serious and Organised Crime Coordinator is responsible for policy development and strategic coordination of the disruption of transnational serious organised crime across the Australian Government including the Australian Federal Police,

Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) is a law enforcement agency established by the Australian federal government on 1 July 2016, following the merger of the Australian Crime Commission (ACC) and CrimTrac. It has specialist ...

, Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre, and state and territory law enforcement agencies. The Coordinator is held concurrently by an Australian Federal Police Deputy Commissioner.

Counter Child Exploitation

The Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation is a whole-of-government initiative within the Australian Federal Police responsible to the Commonwealth Transnational Serious and Organised Crime Coordinator to investigate, disrupt and prosecute child exploitation and

online child abuse Online child abuse is a unique form of child abuse also known as “Cyber Molestation” due to its virtual, distanced, and anonymous nature. Such abuse may not happen face-to-face, nor does it necessarily require physical contact. However, onlin ...

crimes.

Counter Foreign Interference

The National Counter Foreign Interference Coordinator is responsible for policy development and strategic coordination of countering foreign interference and

counter-espionage Counterintelligence is an activity aimed at protecting an agency's intelligence program from an opposition's intelligence service. It includes gathering information and conducting activities to prevent espionage, sabotage, assassinations or ot ...

to protect the integrity of Australian national security and interests. The Coordinator is responsible for interagency and intergovernmental strategy and coordination to counter coercive, clandestine or deceptive activities undertaken on behalf of foreign powers. Accordingly, the Coordinator acts as an intergovernmental focal point for the Australian Federal Police, the

, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Attorney-General's Department, and elements of the Department of Defence such as the Defence Security and Vetting Service and Australian Defence Force Investigative Service.

Critical Infrastructure

The Australian Government Critical Infrastructure Centre (CIC) is responsible for whole-of-government coordination of

critical infrastructure protection Critical infrastructure protection (CIP) is a concept that relates to the preparedness and response to serious incidents that involve the critical infrastructure of a region or nation. The American Presidential directive PDD-63 of May 1998 set up ...

and national security risk assessments and advice. It was established on 23 January 2017 originally within the Attorney-General's Department and brings together expertise and capability from across the Australian Government and functions in close consultation states and territory governments, regulators, and the private sector. The Centre also supports the

Foreign Investment Review Board The Australian Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB), "examines proposals by foreign persons to invest in Australia and makes recommendations to the Treasurer on those subject to the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 and Australia's f ...

and brings together staff from across governmental authorities including from the Australian Treasury, the

, and the Department of the Environment and Energy.
Australian Government Attorney-General's Department page on Critical infrastructure resilience

Crisis Coordination

The Australian Government Crisis Coordination Centre (CCC) is an all-hazards coordination facility, which operates on a 24/7 basis, and supports the Australian Government Crisis Committee (AGCC) and the National Crisis Committee (NCC). The CCC provides whole-of-government all-hazards monitoring and situational awareness for domestic and international events and coordinates Australian Government responses to major domestic incidents. The Crisis Coordination Centre is managed by the Crisis Management Branch of Emergency Management Australia which was within the Attorney-General's Department before its transfer.

Departmental Executive

* Secretary of Home Affairs * Deputy Secretary (Executive) * Deputy Secretary (Policy) * Deputy Secretary (Corporate and Enabling) / Chief Operating Officer * Deputy Secretary (Intelligence and Capability) * Deputy Secretary (Immigration and Citizenship Services) * Deputy Secretary (Infrastructure, Transport Security and Customs) / Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs * Commonwealth Counter-Terrorism Coordinator * National Cyber Security Adviser * Commonwealth Transnational Serious and Organised Crime Coordinator * National Counter Foreign Interference Coordinator * Commissioner of the

/ Comptroller-General of Customs *

Director-General of Security The Director-General of Security is the executive officer of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), Australia's national security agency. The Director-General, through ASIO, has overall responsibility for the protection of th ...

* Chief Executive Officer of the

* Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre

Portfolio agencies

* Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre *

Australian Institute of Criminology The Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) is Australia's national research and knowledge centre on crime and criminal justice. The Institute seeks to promote justice and reduce crime by undertaking and communicating evidence-based research ...

(including the Maritime Border Command and Operation Sovereign Borders)

References

{{Authority control 2017 establishments in Australia Government departments of Australia Australian intelligence agencies Lists of government agencies in Australia Government agencies established in 2017 Law enforcement in Australia Australian criminal law Crime in Australia Public policy in Australia Federal law enforcement agencies of Australia Terrorism in Australia Australia