The Department of Public Works is responsible for ensure that National Departments have a built environment that meets their financial, technical and social requirements. It does this by providing, development and maintaining accommodation for these Departments. It also acquires and disposes of State land and manages and maintains the State property portfolio.

The Department is also responsible for implementing the National Public Works Programme by:

• creating assets through the Community Based Public Works Programme (CBPWP)
• influencing and stabilising the construction and property industries
• ensuring that infrastructure is provided in a way that creates jobs, empowers communities and develops human resources.

Through the Community Based Public Works Programme the Department promotes ownership of fixed properties by previously disadvantaged individuals and promotes emerging contractors by giving previously disadvantaged contractors opportunities to tender for maintenance contracts.