Department of Defence (Australia)
Logo of the Department of Defence | |
| Department overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 14 April 1942 |
| Preceding department | |
| Jurisdiction | Australia |
| Headquarters | Canberra |
| Employees | 16,272 (2020) |
| Annual budget | A$37.82 billion (2019–20) |
| Minister responsible | |
| Department executive |
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| Child agencies | |
| Website | defence |
The Department of Defence, also known simply as Defence, is a department of the Australian Government that is responsible for administering the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and its related entities, and is charged with the defence of Australia and its national interests. Along with the ADF, it forms part of the larger Australian Defence Organisation (ADO) and is accountable to the Parliament of Australia, on behalf of the Australian people, for the efficiency and effectiveness with which it carries out government policy.
The executive head of the department, who leads it on a day-to-day basis, independent of a change of government, is the Secretary of the Department of Defence (SECDEF), currently Greg Moriarty. SECDEF reports to the Minister for Defence, Richard Marles.