The Department represents Australia's national interests across agriculture, water and the environment. The
Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment,
Andrew Metcalfe , is responsible to the
Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management, Murray Watt. It is sometimes referred to by the acronym DAWE.
Functions The department is responsible for the Commonwealth's regulation and oversight of: • Agricultural, pastoral, fishing, food and forest industries • Soils and other natural resources • Rural adjustment and drought issues • Rural industries inspection and quarantine • Primary industries research including economic research • Commodity marketing, including export promotion and
agribusiness • Commodity-specific international organisations and activities • Administration of international commodity agreements • Administration of export controls on agricultural, fisheries and forestry industries products •
Food security policy and programmes • Water policy and resources •
Biosecurity, in relation to animals and plants • Environment protection and conservation of
biodiversity • Air quality • National fuel quality standards • Land contamination • Meteorology • Administration of the
Australian Antarctic Territory, and the
Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands • Natural, built and cultural heritage • Environmental information and research •
Ionospheric prediction • Co-ordination of sustainable communities policy • Urban environment • Environmental water use and resources relating to the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder It is also responsible for maintaining the
Australian Heritage Database.
Food safety and biosecurity The department is responsible for
food safety in Australia. It works with industry and other Australian government agencies, in particular the
Department of Health and
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) to develop policy and food standards. Food standards are developed under the
Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, administered by FSANZ and enforced by state and territory governments. Together with the
Department of Health, the Department administers
biosecurity in Australia. The department administers relevant legislation at the Australian border, and imported food must meet Australia's biosecurity requirements (under the
Biosecurity Act 2015), as well as food safety requirements of the
Imported Food Control Act 1992.
Labelling on imported food must comply the requirements, and is regulated under the Imported Food Inspection Scheme.
Portfolio agencies Agencies that exist within the department include: •
Bureau of Meteorology •
Director of National Parks •
Murray-Darling Basin Authority •
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority •
Sydney Harbour Federation Trust •
Australian Antarctic Division •
Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences •
Australian Fisheries Management Authority •
Australian Pesticides & Veterinary Medicines Authority •
Australia's Nature Hub •
National Landcare Program •
National Pollutant Inventory • Physical Environment Analysis Network •
Sustainable Development Goals • Forest and Wood Products Council •
Regional Investment Corporation •
National Environmental Protection Council ==History==