PM&C operates in 4 main groups:

• Domestic Policy Group
• National Security and International Policy Group
• Governance Group
• Chief Operating Officer Group.

Domestic Policy Group

The Domestic Policy Group advises the Prime Minister, Cabinet and Portfolio Ministers on social, economic, and environmental issues that affect the lives of all Australians. It comprises the Social Policy Group and Economy, Industry and G20 Sherpa Group.

The Domestic Policy Group supports key government priorities in the areas of the safety of women and children and women’s economic security, and supply chain resilience. Also, in collaboration with the Vaccine Strategy Integration Group, it leads PM&C’s COVID-19 response work, coordinating across government in support of National Cabinet.

The group also develops and coordinates whole-of-government public data policy, regulatory reform and digital technology policy and it supports the Prime Minister in prosecuting Australia’s interests in the G20 and as a G7 outreach partner.

The Domestic Policy Group also includes the Vaccine Strategy Integration Group and the Office of the Climate Coordinator.

The Vaccine Strategy Integration Group was established in January 2021 to ensure a cohesive and collaborative approach to the vaccine rollout, ensuring all aspects are aligned between the Commonwealth and states and territories, including integration of non-health components. The group works closely with partner agencies that lead different aspects of the rollout, providing a central and coordinated approach. It works with the COVID-19 Risk Recovery and Analysis Task Force to ensure that all broader aspects are considered to progress towards Australia’s recovery.

The Office of the Climate Coordinator was established in March 2021 to lead the development and prosecution of a strong Australian climate advocacy strategy in the lead-up to the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26). The office has supported the Prime Minister’s engagement in key international meetings and participated in high-level international engagement with key counterparts to highlight Australia’s success in meeting our targets and driving a technology-first approach to lowering emissions.

National Security and International Policy Group

The National Security and International Policy Group provides advice on Australia’s foreign policy and national security interests. The group’s work covers the Prime Minister’s engagement with foreign leaders and multilateral forums; Defence strategic policy, capability and operations; critical technologies and infrastructure; countering foreign interference; cybersecurity; National Intelligence Community policy; counter-terrorism; law enforcement; border security; and crisis management, including disaster preparedness and response. The National Security and International Policy Group provided a heightened level of support to the Government in 2020–21 in response to natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Governance Group

The Governance Group supports the ongoing business of Government by providing support services to the Prime Minister, the Cabinet, Cabinet committees, Portfolio Ministers and the Governor-General.

The group provides advice on parliamentary processes, the administration of the executive branch of government, and Australia’s national honours and symbols. It also provides support to the Prime Minister on all matters of legal policy. Through the Cabinet Division, the group supports the Prime Minister, the Cabinet Secretary and the chairs of Cabinet committees to ensure that Cabinet business is conducted in an effective and timely way. Cabinet Division also coordinates and supports meetings of the Federal Executive Council and, through the Priorities and Delivery Unit, supports the Prime Minister and the Cabinet Secretary, Cabinet and PM&C in monitoring the implementation of government initiatives and strategically considering the Government’s future priorities.

The Governance Group also includes the APS Reform Office. The office oversees the implementation of the Government’s APS reform program, which is focused on effective delivery of government priorities, APS digital transformation, workforce capability, better services for Australians and effective APS engagement with businesses.

Chief Operating Officer Group

The Chief Operating Officer Group delivers internal corporate and enabling services provided through the Corporate Division and the Ministerial Support Divisions.

The group provides a broad range of services to the Department, including people; information and communications technology; finance; facilities; and shared services to portfolio agencies. It also leads the security and risk agenda to create a positive risk culture.

The group is responsible for the design, implementation and management of business operations and governance processes to support PM&C to deliver on the Prime Minister’s priorities and ensure that strategy is translated into actionable and practical organisation-wide goals.

It is responsible for communications, ministerial correspondence and support services, along with providing logistical support for the Prime Minister’s program of international engagements and hosting visiting Heads of Government.

It also promotes the leadership and partnership role of the Department across government via the APS Chief Operating Officers Committee.