The Australian Defence Organisation is an Australian Government organisation which consists of the Australian Defence Force

Australian Defence Force

The Australian Defence Force is the military organisation responsible for the defence of Australia. It consists of the Royal Australian Navy , Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force and a number of 'tri-service' units...

 (ADF) and the civilian Department of Defence

Department of Defence (Australia)

The Australian Department of Defence is a Federal Government Department. It forms part of the Australian Defence Organisation along with the Australian Defence Force . The Defence mission is to defend Australia and its national interests...

 personnel supporting the ADF. The Chief of the Defence Force

Chief of the Defence Force (Australia)

Chief of the Defence Force is the most senior appointment in the Australian Defence Force . The CDF commands the ADF under the direction of the Minister of Defence, in a coequal arrangement with the Secretary of Defence, the most senior public servant in the Department of Defence.The position is a...

 (CDF) and the Secretary of the Department of Defence (SECDEF) jointly manage the Defence organisation under a "diarchy

Diarchy

Diarchy , from the Greek δι- "twice" and αρχια, "rule", is a form of government in which two individuals, the diarchs, are the heads of state. In most diarchies, the diarchs hold their position for life and pass the responsibilities and power of the position to their children or family when they...

", a term used to describe the relationship between the CDF and the Secretary, both of whom report directly to the Minister for Defence. The ADO diarchy is a governance structure unique in the Australian Commonwealth public service.

The main elements of the Australian Defence Organisation are:

Australian Defence Force

Australian Defence Force

The Australian Defence Force is the military organisation responsible for the defence of Australia. It consists of the Royal Australian Navy , Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force and a number of 'tri-service' units...

:

• Royal Australian Navy
  Royal Australian Navy
  The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
  
  
• Australian Army
  Australian Army
  The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
  
  
• Royal Australian Air Force
  Royal Australian Air Force
  The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
  
  
• Joint Operations Command
• Vice Chief of the Defence Force
• Australian Defence Force Cadets

Department of Defence

Department of Defence (Australia)

The Australian Department of Defence is a Federal Government Department. It forms part of the Australian Defence Organisation along with the Australian Defence Force . The Defence mission is to defend Australia and its national interests...

:

• Capability Development Group
• Chief Finance Officer Group
• Chief Information Officer Group
• Defence Materiel Organisation
  Defence Materiel Organisation
  The Defence Materiel Organisation is the Australian Government agency responsible for the acquisition, through-life support and disposal of equipment for the Australian Defence Force...
  
  
• Defence Science and Technology Organisation
  Defence Science and Technology Organisation
  The Defence Science and Technology Organisation is a branch of the Australian Department of Defence which researches and develops technologies for use in the Australian defence industry....
  
  
• Defence Support Group
• Defence Intelligence Group
  Defence Intelligence Group
  The Australian Department of Defence Defence Intelligence and Security Group is a division of the Australian Department of Defence and comes under the auspices of the Deputy Secretary for Intelligence and Security . The group provides intelligence for the Australian Government and the Australian...
  
  
  • Defence Intelligence Organisation
    Defence Intelligence Organisation
    The Defence Intelligence Organisation is an Australian government intelligence agency responsible for assessing intelligence obtained from or provided by other Australian and foreign intelligence agencies, supporting Defence and Government decision-making and the planning and conduct of Australian...
    
    
  • Defence Imagery and Geospatial Organisation
    Defence Imagery and Geospatial Organisation
    The Defence Imagery and Geospatial Organisation is an Australian government intelligence agency responsible for the tasking , exploitation , and dissemination of geospatial intelligence...
    
    
  • Defence Signals Directorate
    Defence Signals Directorate
    Defence Signals Directorate is an Australian government intelligence agency responsible for signals intelligence and information security .-Overview:According to its website, DSD has two principal functions:...
    
    
• People Strategies and Policy
• Strategy, Coordination and Governance