ɪn dʒuːlˈaɪ tˈuː θˈaʊzənd fˈaɪv, dˌiːˌɛmˈoʊ bɪkˌeɪm ɐ pɹɪskɹˈaɪbd ˈeɪdʒənsi ˌʌndɚɹ ɔːstɹˈeɪliən faɪnˈænʃəl mˈænɪdʒmənt ænd ɐkˌaʊntəbˈɪlᵻɾi lˌɛdʒɪslˈeɪʃən, mˈiːnɪŋ ðæt ɔːlðˈoʊ ɪt ɹᵻmˈeɪnz ɐ pˈɑːɹt ʌvðə dᵻpˈɑːɹtmənt ʌv dᵻfˈɛns, ɪt wʌz sˈɛpɹətli ɐkˈaʊntəbəl tə ðə mˈɪnɪstɚɹ ʌv dᵻfˈɛns fɔːɹ ɪts bˈʌdʒɪt ænd pɚfˈoːɹməns.
In July 2005, DMO became a Prescribed Agency under Australian Financial Management and Accountability legislation, meaning that although it remains a part of the Department of Defence, it was separately accountable to the Minister of Defence for its budget and performance.