The DPI worked to drive innovation in primary industries to improve resilience, productivity and sustainability, and to ensure risks are managed for natural resources, farming and food.

The DPI was led by its director-general, the last being Scott Hansen,[4] who reported to the Minister for Agriculture.

On 4 April 2011, the Department of Primary Industries was re-established as a Division of the Government Service following the 2011 state election.

[4] In January 2024, the director-general of DPI, Scott Hansen, was removed from his role with no clear explanation, amidst an internal function review of the Department of Regional NSW.

In 1992, the DPI headquarters moved from Sydney to 161 Kite Street, Orange by the NSW Minister for Agriculture and Rural Affairs Ian Armstrong, as part of the state government's decentralisation plan.