Being a federal government or commonwealth government, powers are divided between the central government and the different states, namely: New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Australian Capital Territory, Tasmania, South Australia, Northern Territory, and Western Australia.

The different departments in the Australian Government include:

• Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade
• Department for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations
• Department for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government
• Department for Defense
• Department of Health and Ageing
• Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
• Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
• Attorney-Generals Department
• Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency
• Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
• Department of Finance and Deregulation
• Department of Human Services
• Department of Immigration and Citizenship
• Department of Infrastructure and Transport
• Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
• Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism
• Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
• The Treasury
• Department of Veterans Affairs

The different Australian states exercise the power to make their own laws over matters that are not controlled by the Commonwealth and have their own constitutions. Territories, on the other hand, are areas that are not under the jurisdiction of any of the six states, therefore they are administered by the Australian Government. Meanwhile, local governments are the smallest unit and administers to a community with powers defined by the state government they belong.

There are a number of government organisations in Australia that look after the different industries that contribute to the economy, institutions, and welfare of the public, among other things. These organisations include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Administration of educational programs
• Administration of general economic programs
• Administration of social, human resource and income maintenance programs
• Administration of veterans affairs
• Correctional institutions
• Legal counsel and prosecution
• Regulation of agricultural marketing and commodities
• Public order and safety
• Regulation and administration of communications, electric, gas, and other utilities
• Regulation and administration of transportation programs

There are also a number of accredited non-government organizations that manage and deliver quality development for the public. These NGOs are legally constituted and run independently from the Australian Government. However, some of these NGOs are partially funded by the Australian Government to provide the best possible outcomes. But these organizations maintain their independent status by excluding government representatives from membership.

Some of the accredited NGOs partially funded by the Australian Government include:

• ActionAid Australia
• Burnet Institute
• CARE Australia
• CBM Australia
• ChildFund Australia
• Save the Children Australia
• Sexual Health & Family Planning Australia
• TEAR Australia
• UnitingWorld
• WaterAid Australia
• WWF-Australia
• Salvation Army International Development
• Habitat for Humanity Australia
• World Education Australia Limited