* Number of government departments cut from 18 to 14.

* Department of Education merged with Department of Employment and Skills.

* New Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications. It will also include arts.

* Department of Agriculture and Water Resources merged with the Department of Environment.

* Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources. It now includes emissions reduction and small and family business functions.

* Department of Human Services will be established as a new executive agency called Services Australia within the Department of Social Services.

* The remaining 10 departments are unchanged

CHANGES TO DEPARTMENT POSITIONS

* Department secretaries Kerri Hartland (employment), Renee Leon (human services), Mike Mrdak (communications and arts), Daryl Quinlivan (agriculture) and Heather Smith (industry, innovation and science) have been axed.

* David Fredericks will head up industry, science, energy and resources.

* Andrew Metcalfe to return to the APS as secretary of agriculture, water and the environment.

* Changes take effect on February 1 next year.

(Source: Prime Minister Scott Morrison press conference, Canberra, December 5)

Australian Associated Press