Frequently asked Questions

• What is a portfolio?
• What is an agency?
• Can you explain the government's organisation?
• I can't find something I know is there.
• I can't find Commonwealth Government Offices.
• I can't find local government details.
• I can't find a purchasing officer in an agency.
• I can't find a particular agency's office in a particular town.
• I want a government publication and can't find it in the directory.
• I was looking for a Ministry.
• I want to find Ministers.
• I want to find the Minister for a particular portfolio.
• How up to date is the Directory?
• Why is the information incomplete and why do some agencies provide more detail than others?
• Who do you expect to use this directory?
• Why does the directory show people in positions, not position as something that a person holds?
• Why can't I find people by their positions?
• Why doesn't the directory list government programs, such as those for particular groups?

What is a portfolio?

Ministers each have one or more portfolios, each portfolio comprises one or more Organisations and may have other types of agency as well. Most portfolios also have responsibility for one or more Acts of Parliament.

What is an agency?

The term 'agency' refers to any type of Organisation, Statutory Body, Associated Body or Corporation that is part of a minister's portfolio. Most agencies comprise various 'business units', such as 'corporate services division' or 'western region office'.

Can you explain the government's organisation?

The system of government in NSW is similar to other "Westminster" (English-style) systems in Australia and around the world, but it has its own characteristics and institutions.

There are three elements of power which make up our system of government - the executive, the legislative, and the judicial.

For more information see http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/web/common.nsf/key/ResourcesSystem

I can't find something I know is there.

If you've been using Search: check you haven't made a spelling mistake, make sure you've used a name with at least 3 letters, try using a more precise name.

I can't find Commonwealth Government Offices.

They are not part of the NSW State Government and are therefore outside the scope of this directory. The Commonwealth directory is at http://www.gold.gov.au

I can't find local government details.

There are some 175 local government authorities and several county councils in NSW. They are not part of the NSW State Government and are therefore outside the scope of this directory. There is a directory of local councils at http://www.dlg.nsw.gov.au/dlg/dlghome/dlg_LocalGovDirectory.asp

I can't find a purchasing officer in an agency.

Generally, the directory doesn't go this 'deep' in agencies but, typically, purchasing is a corporate service function. However, most agencies are required to buy from 'panel' contracts established by the State Contracts Control Board.

I can't find a particular agency's office in a particular town.

Regional or Local offices of an agency do not have the agency's name as part of their title but most include the place name. If you know the agency it's probably easiest to search by town or browse the A-Z lists.

I want a government publication and can't find it in the directory.

The directory doesn't list publications. If you know the publishing agency then details are probably on that agency's web site. However, the NSW government operates an online bookshop at http://www.shop.nsw.gov.au and all current publications are being added to it.

I was looking for a Ministry.

Only about three NSW agencies use the term 'ministry' in their title, 'department' is the most common equivalent. The term 'Ministry' is used in the 'Governor & Parliament' branch of the directory and provides a list of all ministers, it is only accessible by browsing.

I want to find Ministers.

Ministers are listed on the 'Premier & Ministers' web page. They can also be found on the MPs page and on the Parliament website under the following headings Legislative Council (MLC) or Legislative Assembly (MLA) in Parliament.

I want to find the Minister for a particular portfolio.

Click on the 'Portfolios' menu item and browse the list of portfolios

How are agencies organised in the directory?

There is no standard terminology or internal organisation used in NSW government agencies. However, most agencies are organised into different units. The directory classes these units as Functional (they have particular 'doing' responsibilities) or Regional/Local (an office located away from Head Office to provide a local presence). These units can be nested as required and functional units can have regional sub-units and vice versa. At any level people are grouped under Official Positions. Some agencies also have Boards.

How up to date is the Directory?

The directory is being continuously updated. However, like any information base parts of it can get behind. If you find wrong or incomplete information contact the agency in question. Individual entries show the date of their last change.

Why is the information incomplete and why do some agencies provide more detail than others?

The depth of information provided by an agency is a matter for that agency. The effort to maintain information up to date and complete is continuous. If you find significant omissions you should ask the agency to add them.

Who do you expect to use this directory?

The expected users of this directory are people in their private, work or other capacity who want or need to find out how the government is organised, what different agencies do and how they are organised, what roles exist in agencies, the identity of executives and key managers in agencies, contact information for agencies and people and links to additional information including web sites.

Why does the directory show people in positions, not position as something that a person holds?

Large organisations such as the NSW public service establish positions and then fill them, so from an organisation perspective people always belong to a position.

Why can't I find people by their positions?

Most position titles in the directory involve one or more of a few words such as 'manager', 'director', 'executive', etc. Therefore there is very little scope for unique terms so using Find on these would provide long results lists. If you know the agency it is best to Explore its branches of the tree. A few 'positions' (eg Premier) are also organisation names so these can be found as organisations.

Why doesn't the directory list government programs, such as those for particular groups?

The directory provides summary information and an extension for government services is being developed. Many programs have their own web sites and these are indexed by the NSW government portal www.nsw.gov.au.