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Regulation and Consumer Protection

Office of the Official Secretary to the Governor-General

Portfolio: Prime Minister and Cabinet

https://www.gg.gov.au/office-official-secretary-governor-general

Annual Budget

$24M

2026-27 Budget (Budget Paper No. 4)
-8.9%vs prior year ($27M)
Total Revenue

$20M

2024-25 Total Revenue
Staff

80

Headcount (2024-25)
Budget Commentary

Material downward shift in 2026-27 funding (-8.9%, $2M change). 2025-26 estimated actual $27M → 2026-27 budget $24M. Source: Budget Paper No. 4, Agency Resourcing tables.

Ideas relevant to this department

8 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

The purpose of the Office is to: • provide the necessary support to enable the Governor-General to perform official duties, which are constitutional, statutory, ceremonial or community in nature • manage and maintain the official residences at Government House in Canberra and Admiralty House in Sydney • provide effective administration of the Australian honours system through the Australian Honours and Awards branch. [AR p. 12]

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Office is to: • provide the necessary support to enable the Governor-General to perform official duties, which are constitutional, statutory, ceremonial or community in nature • manage and maintain the official residences at Government House in Canberra and Admiralty House in Sydney • provide effective administration of the Australian honours system through the Australian Honours and Awards branch. [AR p. 12]

Corporate Plan 2018-19 · p.12

Strategic priorities

· 1

1

Support for the Governor-General and Official Functions

Corporate Plan 2018-19 · p.12

Outcomes

· 1

Outcome 1: The performance of the Governor-General’s role is facilitated through the organisation and management of official duties, management and maintenance of the official households and properties, and administration of the Australian honours and awards system

The Office reports on performance in relation to a single outcome: The performance of the Governor-General’s role is facilitated through the organisation and management of official duties, management and maintenance of the official households and properties, and administration of the Australian honours and awards system. [AR p. 19]

KEY ACTIVITIES

  • providing high-level policy advice and administrative assistance to the Governor-General in support of official duties
  • manage and maintain the Governor-General’s official residences in Canberra and Sydney, including capital improvements, building and grounds maintenance, and caretaking
  • administer, on behalf of the Governor-General, the Australian honours system, including civilian honours and awards for members of the Australian Defence Force
  • undertake research and prepare nominations for consideration by the Council for the Order of Australia, the Australian Bravery Decorations Council, and the National Emergency Medal Committee
  • provide efficient and effective secretariat support to the Australian honours advisory bodies
  • undertake the efficient procurement of Australian honours medals and insignia, warrants and investiture items.

Values

· 3

care

kindness

respect

Performance measures

· 3

CodeMeasureTarget 2025-26Latest resultStatus

CCE01

The Governor-General is satisfied with the level of advice and administrative support provided that enables him to successfully perform official duties

It is expected all performance criteria as outlined in the 2024-25 PBS will be met

Corporate Plan 2018-19 · p.15

90% [AR p. 15]

Annual Report 2024-25 · p.15
Achieved

CCE02

The Governor-General is satisfied with the management of the households

It is expected all performance criteria as outlined in the 2024-25 PBS will be met

Corporate Plan 2018-19 · p.15

87% [AR p. 15]

Annual Report 2024-25 · p.15
Achieved

CCE03

The properties are managed in accordance with the requirements of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and government policies relating to heritage properties, and with due consideration of advice provided by the National Capital Authority and other relevant authorities

It is expected all performance criteria as outlined in the 2024-25 PBS will be met

Corporate Plan 2018-19 · p.15

95% [AR p. 15]

Annual Report 2024-25 · p.15
Achieved

Ideas distilled from this entity's strategy & evidence

· 8

Case Processing

Streamline property maintenance scheduling

Implement a digital scheduling system for property maintenance to reduce overlaps and improve efficiency.

Impact: Medium
Effort: Medium
Small

2024-25.pdf

Regulation & Policy

Modernize Australian honours nomination process

Adopt an online nomination portal to streamline the honours nomination process and increase transparency.

Impact: High
Effort: High
Large

2018-19.pdf

Citizen Participation

Virtual tours of official residences

Create virtual reality tours of Government House and Admiralty House to increase public engagement.

Impact: Medium
Effort: Low
Small

2024-25.pdf

Strategy & Reform

Establish an advisory board for ceremonial functions

Form an advisory board comprising cultural experts to enhance the quality and relevance of ceremonial functions.

Impact: High
Effort: High
Large

2018-19.pdf

Citizen Services

Increase publicity for Australian honours

Boost media coverage and social media presence for Australian honours to enhance national pride.

Impact: High
Effort: Medium
Medium

2024-25.pdf

Capability Building

Enhance training programs for staff

Introduce advanced training modules for staff to improve their skills and service delivery.

Impact: Medium
Effort: Low
Small

2018-19.pdf

Procurement & Delivery

Reform procurement processes

Adopt a more transparent and efficient procurement process to reduce costs and increase accountability.

Impact: High
Effort: High
Large

2024-25.pdf

Risk & Assurance

Energy efficiency upgrades

Implement energy efficiency upgrades in official residences to reduce carbon footprint and operational costs.

Impact: High
Effort: High
Medium

2018-19.pdf

Case Processing

Streamline property maintenance scheduling

Implement a digital scheduling system for property maintenance to reduce overlaps and improve efficiency.

Impact: Medium
Effort: Medium
Small

2024-25.pdf

Regulation & Policy

Modernize Australian honours nomination process

Adopt an online nomination portal to streamline the honours nomination process and increase transparency.

Impact: High
Effort: High
Large

2018-19.pdf

Citizen Participation

Virtual tours of official residences

Create virtual reality tours of Government House and Admiralty House to increase public engagement.

Impact: Medium
Effort: Low
Small

2024-25.pdf

Strategy & Reform

Establish an advisory board for ceremonial functions

Form an advisory board comprising cultural experts to enhance the quality and relevance of ceremonial functions.

Impact: High
Effort: High
Large

2018-19.pdf

Citizen Services

Increase publicity for Australian honours

Boost media coverage and social media presence for Australian honours to enhance national pride.

Impact: High
Effort: Medium
Medium

2024-25.pdf

Capability Building

Enhance training programs for staff

Introduce advanced training modules for staff to improve their skills and service delivery.

Impact: Medium
Effort: Low
Small

2018-19.pdf

Procurement & Delivery

Reform procurement processes

Adopt a more transparent and efficient procurement process to reduce costs and increase accountability.

Impact: High
Effort: High
Large

2024-25.pdf

Risk & Assurance

Energy efficiency upgrades

Implement energy efficiency upgrades in official residences to reduce carbon footprint and operational costs.

Impact: High
Effort: High
Medium

2018-19.pdf

Legislation administered

· 4

Act

1974

Governor-General Act 1974

The Office supports the Governor-General in the fulfilment of their responsibilities as enabled by sections 6–20 of the Act.

Act

1975

Order of Australia Act 1975

The Office administers the Australian honours and awards system, including the Order of Australia.

Act

1990

Australian Bravery Decorations Act 1990

The Office administers the Australian Bravery Decorations system.

Act

1990

National Emergency Medal Act 1990

The Office administers the National Emergency Medal system.

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