The department ensures it is able to deliver on priorities for the Australian Government and the community by having strong capability — which is underpinned by its people, culture, governance principles, processes, systems and knowledge. Capability building drives better policy advice to ministers, and better program outcomes. By ensuring continual investment in capability, the department is actively positioning itself to promote innovation and effectively manage risk.

The department accounts for its activities, accepts responsibility for its actions and discloses the results of its work through ministers to Parliament and to all Australian citizens. For the department, accountability drives transparency and trust, and leads to better engagement with its partners and stakeholders. The department understands the importance of an effective governance framework in supporting performance and accountability. It prioritises the organisation’s governance framework, strategic policies and committees, and reviews them regularly.