Budget Group
Kathryn Campbell
General Manager
Budget Group contributes to the outcome “sustainable government finances”. It advises the Minister for Finance and Deregulation, senior ministers and Cabinet’s Expenditure Review Committee on expenditure priorities and on whole of government policy for budgetary, financial and non-tax revenue 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.
General Manager: Kathryn Campbell
Phone: (02) 6215 2316
Budget Group comprises five Divisions and several specialist teams working together to achieve the Group’s business outcomes for the government through the Budget processes.
- Budget Policy and Coordination Division, as well as coordinating the annual Budget process, provides advice on whole of government budget-related matters.
- Budget Review Division,
- 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 these agencies, assisting them to provide the government with reliable financial information for decision-making.
- The specialist teams within Budget Group are charged with providing accounting advice, and preparing economic and fiscal advice linking the economy and the budget.
Budget Policy and Coordination Division
Division Manager: 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 government on the Budget timetable and framework. It develops Budget strategy, prepares briefing papers and provides logistical support for the Strategic Budget Committee. 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.
Budget Review Division
Division Manager: Peter Saunders
The Budget Review Division (BRD) 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 is a team that provides economic and fiscal analysis and advice, with a focus on the linkages between the economy and the Budget. Key areas include the implications of the economic outlook for government expenditure, fiscal strategy, and emerging and long-term issues impacting on the Budget (such as the implications of an ageing population).
Strategic Reviews Branch (SRB)
Strategic Reviews Branch (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, assess the effectiveness and the efficiency of program(s) and will identify potential duplication or budget savings.
Government and Defence Division
Division Manager: Brendan Sargeant
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, territories, financial and economic regulation, revenue collection, superannuation 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 and electoral services.
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, administration and development of the Australian territories, disaster relief and emergency assistance.
Industry, Education and Infrastructure Division
Division Manager: David Weiss
The Industry, Education and Infrastructure (IE&I) Division provides policy and financial advice to Government in the areas of education, science, resources, tourism, industry, innovation, infrastructure, transport, communications, agriculture and the environment, including climate change and water issues. IE&I Division has three Branches:
Infrastructure, Communications and Energy Branch (ICE)
ICE provides policy advice and financial analysis to Government on the portfolios of: Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy; and on Resources, Energy and Tourism
Education, Science and Industry Branch (ESIB)
ESIB provides policy advice and financial analysis to Government on Education, Industry, Innovation, Science and Research, Resources, Energy and Tourism and on Employment and Workplace Relations (in partnership with Employment and Veterans’ Affairs Branch on employment issues).
EAB provides policy advice and financial analysis to Government on Environment, Heritage and the Arts, Climate Change and Water, and Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
Social Welfare Division
Division Manager: John Ignatius
The Social Welfare Division advises the Minister for Finance and Deregulation and the Government on policy and financial matters in the areas of families, health, housing, community services, indigenous affairs, aged care, veterans' affairs, employment, workplace relations and government service delivery (including through Centrelink, Medicare Australia and the Department of Human Services). SWD has four branches:
Health and Ageing Branch (H&A)
The H&A Branch provides analysis and 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.
Employment and Veterans’ Affairs Branch (EVA)
The EVA Branch provides analysis and advice to government in the areas of employment assistance programs, workforce participation, working age welfare payments, industrial relations, compensation and rehabilitation policy and veterans' affairs matters.
Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Branch (FaHCSIA)
The FaHCSIA Branch provides analysis and 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.
Human Services Branch (HS)
The HS Branch provides analysis and 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 (including the Child Support Agency and CRS Australia) and the portfolio agencies Centrelink and Medicare Australia.
Expenditure Review Taskforce
The Taskforce is charged with identifying the scope to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of programs and services and the quality of government expenditure and its outcomes. The expenditure review process is designed to identify savings that the government can apply to higher priority areas.
Financial Analysis and Accounting Support (FAAS)
FAAS teams are situated within each Division and provide specialist accounting advice, including program analysis and assistance on the implementation of the accounting framework across agencies.
Contact for information on this page: Finance Web Manager at: feedback@finance.gov.au
