The Council of Ministers assists Sultan Qaboos in drawing up and implementing the general state policy. Specifically, the Council submits recommendations to the Sultan on economic, political, social, executive and administrative matters; these include proposing draft laws and decrees, looking after the welfare and interests of the general public, in addition to establishing and implementing Policies and goals for economic, social and administrative development, while ensuring the best possible use is made of available financial, economic and human resource, The Council of Ministers has a secretariat-general to assist it in the performance of its functions.

To avoid any division of loyalties, Article 53 of the Basic Law of the State declares: "Members of the Council of Ministers may not combine their ministerial positions with the chairmanship or membership of the board of directors of any public joint-stock company."