The Australian GovernmentDepartment of Agriculture and Water Resources was a government department that existed between 2015 and 2019, which was responsible for developing and implementing policies and programs that contribute to strengthening Australia's primary industries, delivering better returns for primary producers at the farm gate, protecting Australia from animal and plant pests and diseases, and improving the health of Australia's rivers and freshwater ecosystems.
The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources' vision was to help drive a stronger Australian economy by building a more profitable, more resilient and more sustainable agriculture sector, and by supporting the sustainable and productive management and use of rivers and water resources.
The department's annual reports provide information about its operations and performances in each financial year, and reviews its progress towards its objectives.
The department's Corporate Plan sets outs the department's eight strategic objectives. Those identified in the 2016–17 plan include:[2]
building successful primary industries
supporting agricultural communities
expanding agricultural, fisheries and forestry exports
sustaining natural resources for longer-term productive primary industries
improving water use efficiency and the health of rivers, communities, environmental assets and production systems
managing biosecurity and imported food risk
building an efficient and capable department
being a best practice regulator.
The department strives to build strong relationships and work with governments, industry, importers and exporters, natural resource managers, primary producers, consumers, research and development organisations, rural communities and travellers.
The department employs approximately 4000 full-time equivalent staff, including accountants, animal and meat inspectors, biosecurity officers, economists, information and communication technology (ICT) staff, policy officers, program administrators, researchers, scientists, survey staff and veterinary officers.[citation needed]
The corporate structure is organised into divisions to support work across a broad range of agricultural, biosecurity, fisheries and forestry and water management activities.[3]
The department is located in regional centres, rural communities and cities throughout Australia.[4] Around 58 per cent of its Australian-based employees work outside Canberra, in capital cities and regional offices, major airports, mail centres, shipping ports, laboratories and abattoirs.
Globally, the department works in Bangkok, Beijing, Brussels, Dubai, Jakarta, New Delhi, Rome, Seoul, Tokyo and Washington,[citation needed] to maintain relationships with Australia's trading partners and international organisations.
The department provides specialised policy advice to the Australian Government and delivers a range of policies and programs to:
provide evidence-based support for government and industry decision-making
help primary producers to gain and maintain access to overseas markets, including administration of export quotas[7]
support primary producers and rural communities to be productive and sustainable through grants and other funding support, including drought assistance for farm families and businesses[8][9]
manage Commonwealth fisheries in consultation and develop national approaches to sustainable management of the fishing industry[10]
represent Australia’s interests overseas to promote responsible fishing practices and to combat illegal fishing.
foster and enable productive, profitable, internationally competitive and sustainable Australian forest and forest products industries[11]
help primary industries and producers to adapt and respond to climate change[12]
achieve social, economic and environmental benefits through water policy and resource management.[13]
The department takes a risk-based approach to safeguarding Australia against animal and plant pests and diseases and helps importers and exporters to meet regulatory requirements by:
assessing and inspecting imported animal and plant products and machinery for diseases, pests and weeds
setting conditions for imported animal and plant products
issuing import and export permits and undertaking certification of goods
ensuring compliance through audit, investigation and assurance activities
accrediting third parties to undertake activities on its behalf
The department manages, coordinates and prepares for response actions to national priority pests, diseases and weeds,[15] including:
appropriately trained personnel, procedures and practices
preparation to act rapidly in response to an outbreak
plans and coordinated response activities with other jurisdictions and industries
preparation to manage a specific incident or offshore incursion.
The department’s work is grounded in research and science, providing information and analysis on agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries,[16] including:
commodity forecasts
economic analysis and modelling
data and statistics on issues affecting Australian farmers and rural communities
biophysical science for biosecurity risk assessment, forecasting and diagnostics.
The department collects and audits primary industry levies for marketing, research and development, animal and plant health, residue testing and emergency response.[17]
The department works in partnership and collaboration with its clients, stakeholders, governments and the community by engaging with those who have a vested interest in the way it does business. This engagement consists of:
public consultations on policy, program and operational proposals[18]
industry forums
international delegations and international forums
work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through the Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy.[19]
