Portfolio Structure
The Structure of the Defence Portfolio
The Defence Portfolio consists of a number of legally distinct organisations. The three most significant are:
- the Department of Defence—a department of state, headed by the Secretary;
- the Australian Defence Force (ADF)—consists of the three Services (including Reserves) and is headed by the Chief of the Defence Force. Service Chiefs also administer their respective Cadet service, although the Cadet service is not a component of the parent Service; and
- the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO)— a prescribed agency, headed by its Chief Executive Officer. For purchaser-provider agreements with the DMO, refer to Volume Two.
In practice, these bodies work together so closely that they are effectively one organisation known simply as Defence (or the Defence organisation), although it has no separate legal identity. A series of internal directives and delegations effectively create a unified organisation which works on an integrated staffing model. Thus, for example, it is not unusual for military officers to work to public servants, or vice versa. Chart 1.1 shows how the integrated organisation is structured.
Chart 1.1: Defence Portfolio Structure
The Portfolio also contains a number of smaller entities, which include:
- a number of statutory offices created by the Defence Force Discipline Act 1982 which are independent but reside administratively within Defence. These include the Judge Advocate General, the Chief Judge Advocate, the Director of Military Prosecutions and the Registrar of Military Justice.
- various trusts and companies, including:
- the Defence Housing Authority;
- Army and Air Force Canteen Service (Frontline Defence Services);
- Australian Military Forces Relief Trust Fund (Army Relief Trust Fund);
- Australian Strategic Policy Institute Ltd;
- Royal Australian Air Force Veterans' Residences Trust Fund;
- Royal Australian Air Force Welfare Trust Fund; and
- Royal Australian Navy Relief Trust Fund.
The Minister for Defence's Portfolio also includes the Department of Veterans' Affairs and its associated bodies, as it is designated as part of the Defence Portfolio in the Administrative Arrangements Order. Nonetheless, the Department of Veterans' Affairs is administered separately from Defence.