Red tape roles in federal government will have increased to more than 107,000 by the end of the 2026 financial year, says a report.
The annual increase of 1,500 people from the 2025 financial year brings overall growth of regulatory enforcers since the 2023 financial year to more than 17,000, or 19 per cent, says the Institute of Public Affairs.
Annual staffing costs to employ the roles will be approximately $15 billion by the end of the 2026 financial year, says the IPA report – an increase of $276 million (plus 2 per cent) from the 2025 financial year, and an increase of $2.7 billion since the 2023 financial year (plus 22 per cent).
“The Attorney-General’s portfolio accounts for the greatest growth between the 2025 and 2026 financial years – plus 5 per cent,” says IPA research fellow, Lachlan Clark.
Analysing 2025-26 Commonwealth budget papers, the IPA’s report also shows that between the financial years ending 2023 and 2026, regulatory staffing numbers at the Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water portfolio are forecast to have increased by 72 per cent – from 3,311 to 5,680.
“The two portfolios with the next greatest growth over the period were Health and Aged Care – from 7,404 to 9,850, or 33 per cent – and Finance – from 1,687 to 2,177, or 29 per cent,” says Clark.
By 2026, the average staffing level across the federal government – excluding military and reserves – is forecast to reach 213,349, meaning over half the federal government workforce in 2026 will be engaged in regulatory activity.
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