The Minister for Communications is a member of the
Cabinet of Australia with overall responsibility for
broadcasting
Broadcasting is the data distribution, distribution of sound, audio audiovisual content to dispersed audiences via a electronic medium (communication), mass communications medium, typically one using the electromagnetic spectrum (radio waves), ...
, the
information and communications technology
Information and communications technology (ICT) is an extensional term for information technology (IT) that stresses the role of unified communications and the integration of telecommunications (telephone lines and wireless signals) and computer ...
industry, the
information economy, and national
telecommunications
Telecommunication, often used in its plural form or abbreviated as telecom, is the transmission of information over a distance using electronic means, typically through cables, radio waves, or other communication technologies. These means of ...
. The portfolio has been held by
Anika Wells under the
second Albanese ministry since 13 May 2025, following the
2025 Australian federal election.
In the
Government of Australia, the minister administers the communications portfolio through the
Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts.
Scope
Portfolio agencies and bodies include:
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Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is Australia’s principal public service broadcaster. It is funded primarily by grants from the federal government and is administered by a government-appointed board of directors. The ABC is ...
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Australian Communications and Media Authority
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Australia Post
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Australian Classification Board
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National Library of Australia
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NBN Co
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Special Broadcasting Service
List of ministers
The minister responsible for telecommunications policy has had various titles. From 1901 until December 1975 it was the Postmaster-General, who administered the portfolio through the
Postmaster-General's Department.
The following individuals have been appointed as Minister for Communications, or any of its precedent titles:
[
Notes
: Barnard served as part of a two-man ministry together with Gough Whitlam for fourteen days, until the full ministry was commissioned.
: On , the third Hawke ministry implemented a two-level ministerial structure, with distinctions drawn between senior and junior ministers. This arrangement has been continued by subsequent ministries.][ Junior ministers are shown in the table below.]
Former ministerial portfolios
List of ministers for regional communications
The following individuals have been appointed as Minister for Regional Communications, or any of its precedent titles:
List of ministers for digital transformation
On , the third Hawke Ministry implemented a two-level ministerial structure, with distinctions drawn between senior and junior ministers. This arrangement has been continued by subsequent ministries; however, junior ministers have been appointed in the telecommunications portfolio on only five occasions. Senior ministers are shown in the table above.
The following individuals have been appointed as the Minister for Digital Transformation, or any of its precedent titles:
Parliamentary Secretaries
The following individuals have been appointed as the Assistant Minister or Parliamentary Secretary for Communications, or any of its precedent titles:
References
External links
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{{Australian federal ministerial portfolios
Communications
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...
NBN Co