Australian Defence Organisation

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Australian Defence Organisation
Agency overview
Formed9 February 1976 (1976-02-09)
JurisdictionAustralia
Headquarters Canberra
Employees82,724 (2024-25, estimated)
Annual budgetA$53.58 billion (2024-25, estimated)
Ministers responsible
Agency executives
Child agencies
Website defence.gov.au

The Australian Defence Organisation (ADO) is an Australian Government organisation that consists of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), the Department of Defence (DoD, also branded as Defence Australia [4] ), and other related organisations. In present use, the ADO is referred to as Defence. [5] [6] Defence's mission and purpose is "to defend Australia and its national interests in order to advance Australia’s security and prosperity". [7]

Contents

Organisation

Defence consists of several smaller interrelated military and corporate organisations. The two most significant organisations are the ADF, led by the Chief of the Defence Force who is Australia's senior military leader, and the DoD, managed by the Secretary of the Department of Defence who is a senior public servant accountable under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013. [8]

In addition to the two primary organisations, a number of other entities are considered part of Defence:

Entities within Defence report to the Minister for Defence, but the defence minster's portfolio and ADO are not identical, for example the Department of Veterans' Affairs reports to the defence minister but is not part of Defence. [9]

For the 2024-25 financial year, as estimated in the Defence Portfolio Budget Statement prepared as part of the 2024 Australian federal budget, Defence's total workforce was 82,724 people (16,331 Navy personnel, 31,339 Army personnel, 15,927 Air Force personnel and 19,127 public servants), and Defence received A$53.58 billion in government funding. [10]

The ADO is understood to be a diarchy, a rare organisational structure intended to take advantage of "the responsibilities and complementary abilities of public servants and military officials". [11] The 2014 First Principles Review, taken up in the 2016 Defence White Paper, recommended moving to operate as a more integrated organisation, amid public criticism of the diarchy structure. [12] [13]

1992 Australian Defence Organisation registration plate D1506X.jpg
ADO,F16LOO.jpg
Examples of ADO number plates

While Defence is more commonly used, use of 'Australian Defence Organisation' to refer to the entities collectively is longstanding practice. [14] For example, 'Australian Defence Organisation' can still be seen on the number plates of vehicles managed by the Australian Defence Organisation Commercial Vehicles Fleet, operated by the Australian Army. [15]

Australian Defence Force

The armed forces of Australia are the Australian Defence Force, consisting of three branches: the Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force. [16] Command of the Australian Defence Force, under the direction of Defence Minister, is the primary responsibility of the Chief of the Defence Force, currently General Angus Campbell. [17]

Reporting to the Chief of Defence Force are the Chief of Navy, Chief of Army, and Chief of Air Force. [18] Each Chief manages the day-to-day executive operations of their branch with both discretionary decision making authority and direction from the Chief of the Defence Force and the various Ministers of the defence portfolio and often cooperate with their counterparts from the other services as well as the Department of Defence. [19]

The Vice Chief of the Defence Force, currently Vice Admiral David Johnston, is responsible for joint force integration, preparedness and military strategy, interoperability, and designing the future force. [20] The Joint Operations Command oversees all joint deployments of the Australian Defence Force and is commanded by the Chief of Joint Operations. The Joint Capabilities Group, commanded by the Chief of Joint Capabilities, provides joint military professional education and training, logistics support, health support and oversees the Joint Logistics Command, Joint Health Command, Australian Defence College, and the Information Warfare Division. [18]

Department of Defence

The main offices of the Department of Defence and the Australian Defence Force's administrative headquarters are located in the Russell Offices complex in Canberra Russell Offices.JPG
The main offices of the Department of Defence and the Australian Defence Force's administrative headquarters are located in the Russell Offices complex in Canberra

The Department of Defence is one of the three original Australian Government departments created at Federation of Australia in 1901, alongside the Attorney-General's Department and the Treasury. It is the Australian Public Service entity that provides advice, coordination, and program delivery for defence and military policy.

The Department of Defence also manages and oversees a range of public service and defence force agencies and organisations that deliver and develop the capabilities and services that support the Australian Defence Force. Such agencies include the Army and Air Force Canteen Service, the Defence Community Organisation, and Defence Housing Australia.

The Department also includes key groups including the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group, the Defence Science and Technology Group, and the Defence Strategic Policy and Intelligence Group (which oversees the Australian Signals Directorate, Defence Intelligence Organisation, and Australian Geospatial-Intelligence Organisation).

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australian Signals Directorate</span> Australian signals intelligence agency

The Australian Signals Directorate (ASD), formerly the Defence Signals Directorate (DSD), is the federal statutory agency in the Australian Government responsible for foreign signals intelligence, support to military operations, cyber warfare, and information security. ASD is part of the Australian Intelligence Community. ASD's role within UKUSA Agreement is to monitor signals intelligence ("SIGINT") in South and East Asia. The ASD also houses the Australian Cyber Security Centre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australian Defence Force</span> National military force of Australia

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is the military organisation responsible for the defence of the Commonwealth of Australia and its national interests. It has three branches: the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), Australian Army and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The ADF has a strength of just over 89,000 personnel and is supported by the Department of Defence alongside other civilian entities.

The Defence Strategic Policy and Intelligence Group (SP&I) of the Australian Government Department of Defence is responsible for defence diplomacy, strategic policy, international security, and military intelligence co-ordination and advice to the Prime Minister of Australia, Minister for Defence, Secretary of the Department of Defence, and Chief of the Defence Force. The Defence Strategic Policy and Intelligence Group is led by the Deputy Secretary for Strategic Policy and Intelligence and comprises three policy divisions and two intelligence agencies.

The Australian Intelligence Community (AIC) and the National Intelligence Community (NIC) or National Security Community of the Australian Government are the collectives of statutory intelligence agencies, policy departments, and other government agencies concerned with protecting and advancing the national security and national interests of the Commonwealth of Australia. The intelligence and security agencies of the Australian Government have evolved since the Second World War and the Cold War and saw transformation and expansion during the Global War on Terrorism with military deployments in Afghanistan, Iraq and against ISIS in Syria. Key international and national security issues for the Australian Intelligence Community include terrorism and violent extremism, cybersecurity, transnational crime, the rise of China, and Pacific regional security.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arthur Tange</span> Australian public servant

Sir Arthur Harold Tange was a prominent Australian senior public servant of the middle to late 20th century.

The Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG) is an organisation within the Australian Department of Defence, responsible for acquisition, supply chain management, and sustainment of military equipment and materiel including aircraft, ships, vehicles, electronic systems, weapons, ordnance, uniforms and rations for the Australian Defence Force. CASG employs more than 7000 military, civilian and contracted staff in more than 70 locations around Australia and internationally.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chief of the Defence Force (Australia)</span> Head of the Australian Defence Force

The Chief of the Defence Force (CDF) is the highest-ranking and most senior military officer in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and is the principal military advisor to the National Security Committee and the Minister for Defence. The current Chief of the Defence Force is Admiral David Johnston, who took office on 10 July 2024.

Defence Australia is a department of the Government of Australia charged with the responsibility to defend Australia and its national interests. Along with the Australian Defence Force (ADF), it forms part of the Australian Defence Organisation (ADO) and is accountable to the Commonwealth Parliament, on behalf of the Australian people, for the efficiency and effectiveness with which it carries out the Government's defence policy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Special forces of Australia</span> Units of Australian Defence Force

The special forces of the Australian Defence Force are units of Special Operations Command and associated units of the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force that conduct and or support special operations to advance and protect the national security of the Commonwealth of Australia. The special forces of Australia have a lineage to a variety of units raised in the Second World War such as the Independent and Commando Companies, Z Special Unit, Navy Beach Commandos, and the Coastwatchers. Australian special forces have most recently been deployed to Iraq in Operation Okra as the Special Operations Task Group, as the Special Operations Task Group in Afghanistan, in Afghanistan in support of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service and regularly for counter-terrorism pre-deploy to locations of major domestic events throughout Australia in readiness to support law enforcement such as the 2014 G20 Brisbane summit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vice Chief of the Defence Force (Australia)</span> Military deputy to the Chief of the Defence Force of Australia

The Vice Chief of the Defence Force (VCDF) is the military deputy to the Chief of the Defence Force (CDF) of Australia, and acts as the CDF in his absence under standing acting arrangements. Air Marshal Robert Chipman, the incumbent VCDF, has held the position since 9 July 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Baker (general)</span> Australian Army officer (1936–2007)

General John Stuart Baker was a senior Australian Army officer. Entering the Royal Military College, Duntroon in 1954, his career culminated with his appointment as Chief of the Defence Force from 1995 to 1998, the most senior position in the Australian Defence Force. Baker also served as the inaugural Director of the Defence Intelligence Organisation from 1990 to 1992, Vice Chief of the Defence Force from 1992 to 1995, and was author of the highly influential 1988 "Baker Report".

The Chief of Joint Operations (CJOPS) is a three-star role within the Australian Defence Force (ADF), responsible for the Joint Operations Command and joint operational deployments, such as United Nations peacekeeping and joint task groups. Until 2007, the Vice Chief of the Defence Force (VCDF) was double hatted, additionally exercising the responsibilities of CJOPS. However, in September 2007 the Minister of Defence, Brendan Nelson announced the formation of a separate CJOPS position based at the Headquarters Joint Operations Command (HQJOC) at Bungendore, New South Wales.

The Australian Defence Organisation (ADO) is composed of the armed forces of the Commonwealth of Australia, the Australian Defence Force (ADF), and the Australian Public Service government department, the Department of Defence which is composed of a range of civilian support organisations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australian Defence Force Investigative Service</span> Investigative arm of Australian Defence Force Police

The Australian Defence Force Investigative Service (ADFIS) is the unified investigative arm of the Australian Defence Force's Joint Military Police Unit. Initially formed in 2007 as a part of the service police until its amalgamation into the Joint Military Police Force at the beginning of 2020. ADFIS was responsible for complex and major disciplinary and criminal investigations involving the Australian Defence Force (ADF), its assets, land, personnel and capability.

The Australian Defence Organisation (ADO) is composed of the armed forces of the Commonwealth of Australia, the Australian Defence Force (ADF), and the Australian Public Service government department, the Department of Defence which is composed of a range of civilian support organisations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Johnston (admiral)</span> Royal Australian Navy officer

Admiral David Lance Johnston, is a senior officer in the Royal Australian Navy. He served as Deputy Commander Joint Task Force 633 on Operation Slipper in 2010, Commander Border Protection Command from 2011 to 2013 and, following promotion to vice admiral, was posted as Chief of Joint Operations from 2014 until 2018. Johnston was appointed Vice Chief of the Defence Force in July 2018. He was promoted to admiral and appointed Chief of the Defence Force on 10 July 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Security Committee (Australia)</span> National security and major foreign policy body in Australia

The National Security Committee (NSC), also known as the National Security Committee of Cabinet, is the peak decision-making body for national security and major foreign policy matters in the Australian Government. It is a committee of the Cabinet of Australia, though decisions of the NSC do not require the endorsement of the Cabinet itself.

The Chief of Joint Capabilities (CJC) is the head of the Joint Capabilities Group (JCG) in the Australian Department of Defence. The Joint Capabilities Group was raised on 1 July 2017 with the position created as a result, with the inaugural CJC being Air Marshal Warren McDonald. The current chief is Lieutenant General Susan Coyle, who was appointed to the position in July 2024.

The Joint Health Command (JHC) is responsible for the delivery of military medicine and joint healthcare services to Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel, including military psychiatry and rehabilitation services. The JHC is also responsible for providing strategic health policy, the development of the health preparedness of ADF personnel for operations, and the coordination of health units for deployment in support of operations. JHC is led by the dual-hatted Commander Joint Health and Surgeon General of the ADF.

The Chief of Personnel (CPERS) is a three-star role within the Australian Defence Force (ADF), responsible for all members of the Australian Defence Force. The Minister of Defence, Richard Marles announced the creation of the new command following the Defence Strategic Review. The Chiefs main responsibility comes with the "distinct aim of increasing the effectiveness, efficiency and cohesiveness of personnel management to achieve a more integrated ADF".

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Department of Defence Ministers". www.minister.defence.gov.au. 1 June 2019. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  2. ↑ "Secretary of Defence". www.defence.gov.au/secretary. 1 June 2019. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  3. ↑ "Chief of the Defence Force". www.defence.gov.au. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  4. ↑ Dennett, Harley (17 May 2022). "Federal department drops the D-word in rebrand". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  5. ↑ "2022-23 Annual report" (PDF). Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman. p. 52. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  6. 1 2 "Organisation structure". Defence. Archived from the original on 7 April 2024. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  7. ↑ "Defence mission". Defence. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  8. ↑ "Defence's Management of Materiel Sustainment". Australian National Audit Office. 11 July 2017. Footnote 17.
  9. ↑ "Defence Annual Report 1997-98" (PDF). Defence. October 1998. p. vii. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  10. ↑ "2024-25 Defence PBS" (PDF). Defence. May 2024.
  11. ↑ Senate Select Committee for an inquiry into a certain maritime incident (2 October 2002), "Report", www.aph.gov.au, Chapter 7 - Accountability, retrieved 18 June 2024
  12. ↑ Dobell, Graeme (8 February 2015). "To shake or axe the Defence diarchy". The Strategist. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  13. ↑ 2016 Defence White Paper (PDF). Commonwealth of Australia. 2016. p. 174. ISBN   978-0-9941680-5-4.
  14. ↑ Andrews, FB (1990). Integrated Communications for the Australian Defence Organisation. Institution of Engineers, Australia. pp. 147–151. ISBN   978-0-85825-507-4 . Retrieved 18 June 2024.{{cite book}}: |journal= ignored (help)
  15. ↑ "Australian Defence Organisation Commercial Vehicles Fleet". Defence. February 2024. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  16. ↑ "Defence Senior Leaders". Department of Defence. Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  17. ↑ "General Angus J. Campbell, AO, DSC Chief of the Defence Force". Department of Defence. Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  18. 1 2 "Leaders". Department of Defence. Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  19. ↑ "Defence Organisational Structure Chart" (PDF). Department of Defence. 22 June 2020. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 May 2022.
  20. ↑ "Vice Chief of the Defence Force". Department of Defence. Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
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