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Australia’s federal relations architecture

National Cabinet

Australia’s premier interjurisdictional body, providing governments with a forum to work collaboratively on issues of national significance. Members include the Prime Minister, Premiers and Chief Ministers.

A representative of local government will be invited to meet with National Cabinet once each year, acknowledging the role it has in productivity.

Ministerial Councils reporting to National Cabinet

  • Agriculture
  • Attorney-Generals
  • Community Services
  • Council on Federal Financial Relations
  • Data and Digital
  • Disability Reform
  • Education
  • Emergency Management
  • Energy and Climate Change
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Housing and Homelessness
  • Infrastructure and Transport
  • Joint Council on Closing the Gap
  • Planning
  • Skills and Workforce
  • Trade and Investment
  • Veterans’ Affairs
  • Water
  • Women & Women’s Safety

Select Ministerial Councils will regularly report to National Cabinet annually on their workplans and progress to deliver any tasked priorities.

This list may change in accordance with National Cabinet priorities.

All other Ministerial Councils may continue to meet as needed, including to fulfil any statutory obligations, without the need to report to National Cabinet.

First Secretaries Group

The First Secretaries Group reports to National Cabinet and facilitates progress on a small number of high priority cross-cutting projects requiring First Ministers’ attention.