[1] Each portfolio area is led by a minister who is a senior member of the governing party in the state Legislative Assembly.
Each government department is led by a director-general or commissioner, who reports to the responsible minister.
The minister has responsibility for instituting government policy and setting the department's priorities, whereas the director-general or commissioner leads the department operationally and is employed under the state's Public Sector Act 2022.
In November 2024, the newly elected Crisafulli ministry introduced machinery of government changes to dissolve the former Department of Energy and Climate and restructure the remaining departments.
[2] The state government departments are now: Most government portfolios are delivered through a combination of a department and supporting agencies, authorities, or commissions with varying levels of independence.