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