Who we are

The Ministers

Meet Senator the Hon Mitch Fifield and Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie.

The Department

View our structure and operations, links to key reporting documents and information on career options and employment benefits.

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Careers

Find details of current vacancies and graduate recruitment activities and how to apply, and the benefits of employment with the...

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Freedom of information

You can apply to access our documents under the Freedom of Information Act 1982.

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Budget

We are funded through the Australian Government Budget each year. This page provides links to the current and previous budgets.

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Contact us

This page lists our contact details

Our Secretary

Mr Mike Mrdak AO

Secretary of the Department of Communications and the Arts

Mike Mrdak is Secretary, Department of Communications and The Arts, a position he has held since September 2017. He previously held the position of Secretary of the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development since 2009.

He was appointed an Officer (AO) of the Order of Australia in the Queen's Birthday 2016 honours list for his distinguished service to public administration in transport, logistics and infrastructure investment.

In November 2013, Mike received the Federal Government Leader of the Year Award recognising his outstanding leadership and work on major infrastructure projects including the duplication of the Pacific and Hume Highways.

Between March 2008 and June 2009 he was Deputy Secretary (Governance), Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. During this time he was appointed Commonwealth Coordinator-General.

Between March 2005 and March 2008 he was Deputy Secretary, Department of Transport and Regional Services, providing policy advice across major infrastructure projects, transport security, and maritime, vehicle and road safety standards.

Mike began his Australian Public Service career in 1988 as a Graduate with the then Department of Transport and Communications.

Mike graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) from the University of New England in 1987 and gained post graduate qualifications including a Graduate Diploma in Education in 1987 and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Economics from the University of Canberra in 1992.

Organisational structure

Our organisational structure helps us deliver our strategic priorities.

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Artbank is a one of a kind, Australian Government support program that acquires the work of living, Australian contemporary artists – making the collection available to the general public through a leasing program.

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The Prime Minister's Literary Awards celebrate outstanding literary talent in Australia and the valuable contribution Australian literature and history makes to the nation's cultural and intellectual life.

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The Meeting of Cultural Ministers comprises the Australian, state and territory government arts and culture ministers.

Corporate Plan 2017-18

The Communications and Arts portfolio touches every household and business in Australia and is critical to Australia having a knowledge-based, innovative economy.

Our Corporate Plan 2017–18 sets our course for the future, identifying our purpose, values, operating environment, strategic priorities, capability and risk oversight and management.

Read the corporate plan

Careers

Our objective is to foster an environment in which all Australians benefit from access to diverse communications services and artistic and cultural experiences. We support our Ministers through high quality policy and program advice, and planning and managing the implementation of initiatives across Australia.

Browse current vacancies