2. The Review of the Overall Allocations for the 2012/13 Financial Year The national budget for the 2012/13 financial year has allocated R543.6 billion to national government departments. This allocation excluded the direct charge which does not form part of the Appropriation Bill. This showed an increase of R44.1 billion or 8.8 per cent compared to the allocation of R499.5 billion in the 2011/12 financial year.