Brief Prepared By Communications Branch For February 2026 Additional Estimates

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The Department of Finance released a communications brief prepared for the February 2026 Additional Estimates outlining government advertising activity. Campaign advertising totalled $204.1 million in 2024–25, with expenditure of $38.9 million recorded by end of November 2025. Digital channels dominated spending at $97.4 million, followed by television at $59.3 million. The government's advertising governance framework requires departmental secretaries to certify campaigns exceeding $250,000 comply with established Guidelines on Advertising and Information Campaigns. The Independent Communications Committee, comprising three members appointed in July 2023, provides advice on compliance with four key principles. Major campaigns in 2024–25 addressed consent, youth vaping, domestic violence, cost-of-living support, defence force recruiting, and immunisation. The document notes that expenditure with individual media outlets is commercially sensitive and was not disclosed.