The current minister is Tony Burke of the Labor Party, who has held the position since July 2024 in the Albanese ministry.

The Home Affairs Ministry was re-established in 2007, assuming the responsibilities of the Minister for Justice and Customs within the Attorney-General's Department with policy responsibilities for criminal justice, law enforcement, border control and national security and with oversight responsibilities of the Australian Customs Service and the Border Protection Command, the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Crime Commission, and the Office of Film and Literature Classification.

[2][3][4][5][6] On 20 December 2017, Governor-General Peter Cosgrove swore Dutton into the position of Minister for Home Affairs.

The Home Affairs portfolio was formed by way of an Administrative Arrangements Order issued on 20 December 2017[7] with responsibilities for national security including cybersecurity and counterterrorism, law enforcement, emergency management, transport security, immigration, citizenship, border control, and multicultural affairs.

In 1975 responsibility for customs was absorbed into the portfolio of the Minister for Business and Consumer Affairs, John Howard.