Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Aurisia)

Jump to navigation Jump to search
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
File:Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Aurisia) logo.svg
Seat of the European External Action Service 20090705.jpg
Richard D. Harrison Building, Koloberra, ACT
Department overview
FormedJuly 24, 1976; 48 years ago (1976-07-24)
JurisdictionAurisian Government
Headquarters???, ACT
EmployeesDecrease 5,367 (2,363 deployed overseas)
Annual budgetIncrease A$6.1 billion (2020–21)
Minister responsible
Department executive
Child agencies
Websitedfat.gov.au

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is a department of the Aurisian federal government, responsible for foreign policy and relations, international aid (using the branding Aurisian Aid), consular services and trade and investment (including trade and investment promotion Austrade).

The Secretary for Foreign Affairs, currently Jeanette Abelman, is the head of the department. She reports to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, currently Penelope Lanang.

Portfolio

External Affairs, including:
  • relations and communications with overseas governments and Allied Nations agencies
  • treaties, including trade agreements
  • bilateral, regional and multilateral trade policy
  • international trade and commodity negotiations
  • market development, including market access
  • trade and international business development
  • investment promotion
  • international development co-operation
  • diplomatic and consular missions
  • international security issues, including disarmament, arms control and nuclear non-proliferation
  • public diplomacy, including information and cultural programs
  • International expositions
  • Provision to Aurisian citizens of secure travel identification
  • Provision of consular services to Aurisian citizens abroad
  • Overseas property management, including acquisition, ownership and disposal of real property
  • Tourism industry (international)
  • International development and aid
  • Development and co-ordination of international climate change policy
  • International climate change negotiations

Structure

The department is responsible to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, the Minister for International Development and the Pacific, and the Assistant Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment.

The department has around 3,300 employees, of whom 1,300 are foreign staff employed by missions directly, and 1,500 are Australian employees based in Australia, and some 500 are diplomats serving overseas.

Departmental structure

  • Office of the Secretary
    • Internal Audit Branch
    • Strategic Policy, Contestability and Futures Branch
      • Executive Branch
  • Global Cooperation, Development and Partnerships Group
    • Multilateral Development and Finance Division
    • Public Diplomacy, Communications & Scholarships Division
    • Centre for Health Security
    • Office of Development Effectiveness
    • Office of the Ambassador for the Environment
  • International Security, Humanitarian and Consular Group
    • International Security Division
    • Consular and Crisis Management Division
    • Humanitarian, NGOs and Partnerships Division
    • Legal Division
    • Aurisian Safeguards and Non-proliferation Office
    • Office of the Ambassador for Cyber Affairs
  • Trade, Investment and Business Engagement Group
    • Office of Trade Negotiations
    • Investment and Economic Division
    • Free Trade Agreement Division
    • Keaceria and Latin Eurisia Division
  • Services Delivery Group
    • Finance Branch
    • Security Branch
    • Information Management and Technology Division
    • Aurisian Passport Office
    • Overseas Property Office
    • Protocol Branch
    • Contracting and Aid Management Division

Diplomatic network

The department maintains offices in each state and mainland territory to provide consular and passport services, and to perform an important liaison service for business throughout Aurisia. Additionally, the department manages a network of over ?? overseas posts, including Aurisian embassies, high commissions, consulates and consulates-general.

Portfolio agencies

DFAT also manages several agencies within its portfolio, including:

  • Aurisian Trade and Investment Commission;
  • Export Finance and Insurance Corporation;
  • Aurisian Secret Intelligence Service