Portfolio: Foreign Affairs and Trade
http://www.dfat.gov.au
$9.2B
2026-27 Budget (Budget Paper No. 4)$6.9B
2024-25 Total Revenue6,300
Headcount (2024-25)Material upward shift in 2026-27 funding (+12.1%, $999M change). 2025-26 estimated actual $8.24B → 2026-27 budget $9.24B. Source: Budget Paper No. 4, Agency Resourcing tables.
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Digital Uplift
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Total Budget
$106.2M
Digital Budget
$106.2M
July 2024 — June 2028
This program addresses cyber security vulnerabilities across DFAT’s International Communications Network and improves collaboration across government, ensuring DFAT maintains Level 2 of the Cyber Essential Eight Maturity Model.
Go Global Toolkit Expansion (GGT)
Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade)
Total Budget
$10.9M
Digital Budget
$9M
July 2024 — June 2026
The GGT is a single, simple and trusted source of practical export support for all Australian business. Enhancement to GGT will improve export readiness of Australian businesses and aim to grow Australian exports through capability uplift. Enhancements include online export support that is personalised and tailored to Australian business interests, capabilities and emerging global market opportunities. Businesses can access tailored market insights, events and news articles based on their sectors and markets of interest. They can also access exclusive exporting webinars and track their progress through the export journey. The GGT supports the government’s trade priorities, including diversification, and also provides information on how to use new free trade agreements. It allows for trade services to be delivered digitally, at scale – a key expectation of modern Australian businesses.
International Communications Network (ICN) Stabilisation Program
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Total Budget
$90.2M
Digital Budget
$90.2M
July 2023 — June 2026
This program is stabilising the current ICN by replacing aged core ICT infrastructure components (servers and network switches) along with some uninterruptable power supply (UPS), fibre remediation and replacement of end-of-life Multi-Function Devices. Stabilisation is necessary to ensure critical systems outages are reduced and support the development of new and enhanced ICT capabilities to meet Australia's current and future communication requirements, including delivery of future government foreign policy and trade goals, as detailed in DFAT’s 10-year capability plan.
Foreign Arrangements Scheme (FAS) – Australia’s Foreign Relations Act (AFRA) online portal and website enhancement (known as the AFRA Digital/ICT enhancement program)
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Total Budget
$10.3M
Digital Budget
$10.3M
July 2023 — June 2027
This project will ensure the ongoing enhancement and maintenance of the FAS online portal and website, including the public register. This project will also ensure the government can meet its legislative responsibilities under the Australia’s Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Act 2020, be responsive to stakeholder feedback and implement outcomes from the recent Legislative Review * This total budget reflects the costs associated with delivery of the required digital and ICT capability and does not include costs associated with managing and delivering all regulatory functions of the Foreign Arrangements Scheme. Total program budget 29.8 million.
The citizen cohorts and life-event journeys that touch this department, drawn from the department_links mapping in the citizen-voice-journeys corpus.
LIFE EVENTS (1)
9 tagged
Reform proposals on YourGov that name this department as a delivery partner — drawn from citizen voice, government strategy, research, international examples and gap analysis.
STRATEGY SUMMARY
To make Australia stronger, safer and more prosperous, to provide timely and responsive consular and passport services, and to ensure a secure Australian Government presence overseas. [CP p.2]
PURPOSE
To make Australia stronger, safer and more prosperous, to provide timely and responsive consular and passport services, and to ensure a secure Australian Government presence overseas. [CP p.2]
Corporate Plan 2025-26 · p.2Strategic priorities
· 3
The advancement of Australia’s international strategic, security and economic interests.
Corporate Plan 2025-26 · p.13The protection and welfare of Australians abroad and access to secure international travel documentation.
Corporate Plan 2025-26 · p.13Outcomes
· 3
Outcome 1: The advancement of Australia’s international strategic, security and economic interests
We deliver targeted programs to increase Australia’s global engagement, particularly with the Indo-Pacific region, and project a positive and contemporary image of Australia overseas. We promote Australia’s interests by connecting Australia with the region through diplomacy, trade, people-to-people links, educational exchange, investment and industry. [CP p.13]
KEY ACTIVITIES
Outcome 2: The protection and welfare of Australians abroad and access to secure international travel documentation
We provide legal services and regulatory functions to uphold Australia’s international legal obligations and contribute to the advancement of Australia’s interests overseas. [CP p.13]
Outcome 3: A secure Australian Government presence overseas through the provision of security services and information and communications technology infrastructure, and the management of the Commonwealth’s overseas property estate
In 115 posts overseas, DFAT is the responsible agency for ensuring consistent and efficient use of government resources for all Australian Government agencies represented. This includes providing security services and information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure for our overseas network and management of the Commonwealth’s owned overseas property estate through DFATs Overseas Property Office and its contracted service provider. [CP p.13]
KEY ACTIVITIES
Values
· 6
Impartial
Committed to service
Accountable
Respectful
Ethical
Stewardship
Performance measures
· 5
| Code | Measure | Target 2025-26 | Latest result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CCE01 | DFAT’s diplomatic efforts support favourable foreign affairs and trade policy outcomes for Australia | Three case studies demonstrate performance: Implementing the Nauru–Australia Treaty. Increasing Australia’s trade and investment ties with Indonesia through Australia’s Business Champion for Indonesia. Enhancing Australia’s cooperation with India through implementation of the New Roadmap for Australia’s Economic Engagement with India. Corporate Plan 2025-26 · p.13 | — | |
CCE02 | Australian passports are processed efficiently | 95% of passports processed within 10 business days. 98% of priority passports processed within 2 business days. 98% of fast-track passports processed within 5 business days. Travel document processing efficiency is greater than or equal to 90% of the agreed benchmark. Corporate Plan 2025-26 · p.50 | — | |
CCE03 | Australian Government staff, information and assets overseas are protected through appropriate risk-focused security measures | DFAT achieves the set security performance standards across a majority of its posts in the areas of compliance, culture and responsiveness to incidents. DFAT delivers the Overseas Resilience to Cyber Activities program to 80% of posts selected through its annual risk-based planning process. Corporate Plan 2025-26 · p.27 | — | |
CCE04 | DFAT’s sanctions and foreign arrangements functions demonstrate the principles of regulator best practice | 100% of sanctions compliance matters finalised in the reporting period applied a graduated risk-based approach. At least 85% of notifications to the Foreign Arrangements Scheme are in scope. Corporate Plan 2025-26 · p.29 | — | |
CCE05 | The overseas property estate is effectively maintained and fit for purpose | At least 80% satisfaction rating with the performance of the outsourced property service provider and the Overseas Property Office (OPO). Annual reinvestment in the DFAT portfolio of a minimum of 2% of the building asset value. At least 90% of the owned property estate planned and preventative maintenance program is completed as per the agreed schedule. Corporate Plan 2025-26 · p.28 | — |
Source documents
· 11
2025-26
2025–26 DFAT Corporate Plan [PDF 2.7 MB]
Open
2024-25
2024–25 DFAT Corporate Plan (November) [PDF 4.9 MB]
Open
2022
trade, including digital trade
Open
IPEF Supply Chain Agreement [PDF 320 KB]
Open
Negotiated text of Agreement on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity [PDF 192 KB]
Open
Australia-Singapore Digital Economy Agreement – signed [PDF 633 KB]
Open
Australia-Singapore MoU on Data Innovation [PDF]
Open
Australia-Singapore MoU on Cooperation in Personal Data Protection [PDF]
Open
Australia-Singapore MoU on Cooperation in the Field of Digital Identity [PDF]
Open
2021
ASEAN-Australia Digital Trade Standards Initiative [PDF]
Open
Download PDF [1.78 MB]
Open
Ideas distilled from this entity's strategy & evidence
· 8
Faster Passport Processing
Implement an automated verification system to reduce passport processing time by 20%.
2025-26.pages.jsonl
Enhanced Overseas Security
Upgrade security measures at 80% of diplomatic posts using the latest cyber-security technologies.
2025-26.pages.jsonl
Consular Service Outreach Program
Launch an outreach program to educate citizens on consular services and emergency protocols.
2025-26.pages.jsonl
Sanctions Compliance Review
Conduct a comprehensive review and update of sanctions compliance protocols to align with international best practices.
2025-26.pages.jsonl
Overseas Property Maintenance Optimization
Optimize the maintenance of overseas properties through a predictive maintenance strategy.
2025-26.pages.jsonl
Indo-Pacific Knowledge Initiative
Expand the New Colombo Plan to include more universities and additional Indo-Pacific countries.
2025-26.pages.jsonl
Advanced Trade Policy Analysis
Implement advanced data analytics for more precise trade policy formulation and monitoring.
2025-26.pages.jsonl
Cyber Security Training Program
Roll out a mandatory cyber security training program for all staff to enhance awareness and reduce risk.
2025-26.pages.jsonl
Faster Passport Processing
Implement an automated verification system to reduce passport processing time by 20%.
2025-26.pages.jsonl
Enhanced Overseas Security
Upgrade security measures at 80% of diplomatic posts using the latest cyber-security technologies.
2025-26.pages.jsonl
Consular Service Outreach Program
Launch an outreach program to educate citizens on consular services and emergency protocols.
2025-26.pages.jsonl
Sanctions Compliance Review
Conduct a comprehensive review and update of sanctions compliance protocols to align with international best practices.
2025-26.pages.jsonl
Overseas Property Maintenance Optimization
Optimize the maintenance of overseas properties through a predictive maintenance strategy.
2025-26.pages.jsonl
Indo-Pacific Knowledge Initiative
Expand the New Colombo Plan to include more universities and additional Indo-Pacific countries.
2025-26.pages.jsonl
Advanced Trade Policy Analysis
Implement advanced data analytics for more precise trade policy formulation and monitoring.
2025-26.pages.jsonl
Cyber Security Training Program
Roll out a mandatory cyber security training program for all staff to enhance awareness and reduce risk.
2025-26.pages.jsonl
Legislation administered
· 8
1978
Foreign Affairs and Trade Act 1978
Leads Australia's international relations and foreign policy
2001
International Development Assistance Regulations 2001
Implements the Foreign Affairs and Trade Act 1978 for international development assistance
2014
Export Control (Sanctions) Regulations 2014
Implements the Export Control Act 1982 for sanctions
2021
Foreign Agents Transparency Scheme Act 2021
Regulates foreign political agents operating in Australia
2022
Foreign Agents Transparency Scheme Regulations 2022
Implements the Foreign Agents Transparency Scheme Act 2021
Source library
· 16
2.8MB
2025-26.pdf
5.0MB
2024-25.pdf
181KB
dfat-org-chart-executive.pdf
4.2MB
ABAC_Report_to_APEC_Economic_Leaders_2025.pdf
5.4MB
ABAC-Report-to-APEC-Economic-Leaders-2024.pdf
1.2MB
ABAC-Report-to-APEC-Economic-Leaders-2023.pdf
1.2MB
ABAC-20Report-20to-20Leaders-202022.pdf
142KB
IPEF-20Pillar-201-20Ministerial-20Text-20-Trade-20Pillar-_FOR-20PUBLIC-20RELEASE.pdf
326KB
indo-pacific-economic-framework-prosperity-agreement-relating-supply-chain-resil.pdf
196KB
ipef-overarching-agreement.pdf
647KB
australia-singapore-digital-economy-agreement.pdf
2.0MB
australia-singapore-mou-data-innovation.pdf
Bodies within the Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio
Tourism Australia
Corporate Commonwealth Entity
Export Finance Australia (EFA)
Corporate Commonwealth Entity
Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade)
Non-corporate Commonwealth Entity
Australian Secret Intelligence Service
Non-corporate Commonwealth Entity
Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
Non-corporate Commonwealth Entity
Policy Advisory Council (for International Agricultural Research)
Statutory Body
Commission for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)
Statutory Body
Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office
Statutory Body