Budget Group
David Martine
Deputy Secretary
Budget Group contributes to the outcome “sustainable government finances”. It provides policy and financial advise to the Minister for Finance and Deregulation, senior ministers and Cabinet’s Expenditure Review Committee on government expenditure and non-taxation revenue policy issues.
The Budget embodies the policy priorities and fiscal targets for which the Government seeks Parliamentary authorisation. Budget Group supports the Government in its Budget preparation, delivery and ongoing management through the Budget Process.
Deputy Secretary: David Martine
Phone: (02) 6215 2302
Budget Group comprises five Divisions working together to achieve the Group’s business outcomes.
- Budget Policy and Coordination division, as well as coordinating the annual Budget process, provides advice on whole of government budget-related matters.
- The Group has three Divisions that have an Agency Advice Unit structure. They provide whole of government advice on expenditure and non-taxation policy issues and the financial implications of new policy proposals prepared by portfolio agencies. These Divisions also act as a conduit for agencies, assisting them to provide the government with reliable financial information for decision-making.
- Strategic Policy Division
Budget Policy and Coordination Division
First Assistant Secretary: David Nicol
The core role of the Budget Policy and Coordination Division (BPCD) is to provide advice on whole-of-government budget trends and policy issues, budget processes and methodologies for compiling budget estimates. A major task for the division is coordinating the annual Budget process. BPCD has two Branches:
Budget Coordination Branch (BCB)
BCB is responsible for the overall coordination of the Budget process, advising the Government on the Budget timetable and framework. It develops Budget strategy, prepares briefing papers and provides support for committees of Cabinet. It also provides guidance to portfolio agencies on their input into the Budget processes.
Budget Analysis Branch (BAB)
Budget Analysis Branch provides analysis and advice on the Budget outlook and on programme estimates and other expenditure trends. The branch also manages the updating of estimates by agencies and provides quality assurance of agency models.
Government and Defence Division
First Assistant Secretary: Stephen Clively
Government and Defence Division (GDD) provides policy and financial advice to Government on strategic Defence policy and acquisitions, intelligence issues, security, law and justice, foreign affairs, trade and overseas development assistance, immigration and border protection, financial and economic regulation, revenue collection, superannuation, sport and the arts, and the central operations of the Executive Government and the Parliament. GDD has five branches:
Defence Capability Assessment Branch (DCAB)
DCAB provides advice on Defence capability requirements and on major Defence equipment acquisitions, including detailed analysis of costs and risks at the various stages of acquisition, and of affordability and priority within agreed funding envelopes.
Defence Security and Intelligence Branch (DSIB)
DSIB provides policy and financial advice on Defence strategic, operational, personnel and infrastructure issues and on security and intelligence matters, including the operations of the intelligence agencies and cross portfolio counter terrorism and security initiatives.
Immigration and Foreign Affairs Branch (IFAB)
IFAB provides policy and financial advice on immigration, citizenship, foreign affairs, trade and overseas development assistance issues, including the annual migration programs, visa policies and administration for visitors and temporary and permanent residents, the diplomatic network, consular and passport services, trade policy and assistance to exporters and the overseas aid program.
Central Agencies Branch (CAB)
CAB provides policy and financial advice on the central operations of the Executive Government and the Parliament. These include the operations of agencies performing central functions in relation to policy advice and coordination, economics, finance and statistics, asset management and procurement, information technology, market regulation, taxation and superannuation, electoral services, sport and the arts.
AGB provides policy and financial advice on law and justice, border protection and home affairs, including law enforcement, customs, federal courts and tribunals, legal aid, human rights, insolvency, disaster relief and emergency assistance.
Industry, Education and Infrastructure Division
First Assistant Secretary: David Weiss
The Industry, Education and Infrastructure (IE&I) Division provides policy and financial advice to Government in the areas of education, employment, workplace relations, science, resources, tourism, industry, innovation, infrastructure, transport, communications, regional development, local government, agriculture and the environment, including climate change and water issues. IE&I Division has four Branches:
Infrastructure and Communications Branch (ICB)
ICB provides policy advice and financial analysis to Government on Infrastructure and, Transport, Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government; and Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy.
Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Branch (EEWRB)
EEWRB provides policy advice and financial analysis to Government on Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.
Environment and Energy Branch (EEB)
EEB provides policy advice and financial analysis to Government on Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, and Resources, Energy and Tourism.
Agriculture and Industry Branch (AIB)
AIB provides policy advice and financial analysis to Government on Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, and Industry, Innovation, Science and Research.
Social Policy Division
First Assistant Secretary: Mark Thomann
SPD Division provides policy and financial advice to Government in the areas of families, health, housing, community services, Indigenous affairs, aged care, veterans' affairs, and government service delivery (including through the Department of Human Services). SPD has three branches:
Health and Ageing Branch (H&A)
H&A provides policy and financial advice to Government in the areas of health and ageing, including preventative health care programs, primary health care services, pharmaceutical benefits, funding for the hospital system, residential and community aged care programs, and Indigenous health issues.
Human Services and Veterans’ Affairs Branch (HSVA)
HSVA provides policy and financial advice to Government on the development, implementation, delivery and co-ordination of health and welfare service delivery. This includes the operations of the Department of Human Services. The branch also provides analysis and advice on veterans' affairs matters.
Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Branch (FaHCSIA)
FaHCSIA provides policy and financial advice to Government in the areas of family payments; support for senior Australians, carers and people with disabilities; social and affordable housing, and the whole-of-government strategy for addressing Indigenous disadvantage.
Strategic Policy Division
First Assistant Secretary: Peter Saunders
The Strategic Policy Division provides analysis and advice on longer term budgetary issues and trends and on economic conditions affecting the Budget; conducts strategic reviews of major policies and programs and promotes and assists better evaluation of spending.
Long Term Budget Policy Branch (LTBP)
LTBP provides economic and fiscal analysis and advice, with a focus on the linkages between the economy and the sustainability of the Budget. Key areas include the implications of the economic outlook for government expenditure and indexation arrangements, fiscal strategy, and emerging and long-term issues impacting on the Budget (such as an ageing population).
Strategic Reviews Branch (SRB)
SRB reviews areas of major Government expenditure. The aim is to provide information useful to Government when making decisions on policy strategies and resource allocation. The branch examines the alignment of program(s) with Government priorities, assesses the effectiveness and the efficiency of program(s) and identifies potential duplication or budget savings.
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