The Australian Government on 1 January 1997
Prime Minister: John Howard (Liberal) · 38th Parliament
Changes taking effect on this day
- Department of Health and Family Services part split off to form Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency
- Australian Science and Technology Council renamed to Australian Science, Technology and Engineering Council
- Bureau of Transport and Communications Economics renamed to Bureau of Transport Economics
- Department of Defence part split off to form Defence Acquisition Organisation
- Australian Nature Conservation Agency absorbed into Department of the Environment
- Commonwealth Environment Protection Agency absorbed into Department of the Environment
- Industrial Relations Court of Australia functions transferred to Federal Court of Australia
- Department of Industry, Science and Tourism part split off to form Invest Australia
- Department of Communications and the Arts part split off to form National Office for the Information Economy
- Office of Government Information Technology replaced by Office for Government Online
- Office of Asset Sales renamed to Office of Asset Sales and Information Technology Outsourcing
- Office of Government Information Technology part split off to form Office of Asset Sales and Information Technology Outsourcing
Departments of State (18)
- Attorney-General's Department1901–present
- Department of Administrative Services1994–1997
- Department of Communications and the Arts1994–1998
- Department of Defence1942–present
- Department of Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs1996–1998
- Department of Finance1976–1997
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade1987–present
- Department of Health and Family Services1996–1998
- Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs1996–2001
- Department of Industrial Relations1987–1997
- Department of Industry, Science and Tourism1996–1998
- Department of Primary Industries and Energy1987–1998
- Department of Social Security1972–1998
- Department of the Environment, Sport and Territories1993–1997
- Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet1971–present
- Department of the Treasury1901–present
- Department of Transport and Regional Development1996–1998
- Department of Veterans' Affairs1976–present
Other bodies (275)
Central government
- Audit Office 1902–1998
- Australian Electoral Commission 1984–present
- Merit Protection and Review Agency 1984–1999
- National Office for the Information Economy 1997–2004
- Office for Government Online 1997–2000
- Office of National Assessments 1978–2018
- Office of the Official Secretary to the Governor-General 1984–present
- Public Service and Merit Protection Commission 1995–2002
- Remuneration Tribunal 1973–present
Parliament
- Department of the House of Representatives 1901–present
- Department of the Parliamentary Library 1901–2004
- Department of the Parliamentary Reporting Staff 1901–2004
- Department of the Senate 1901–present
- Joint House Department 1901–2004
Law, justice & security
- Administrative Appeals Tribunal 1976–2024
- Administrative Review Council 1976–2015
- Australian Bureau of Criminal Intelligence 1981–2003
- Australian Federal Police 1979–present
- Australian Government Solicitor 1984–2015
- Australian Institute of Criminology 1973–present
- Australian Protective Service 1984–2004
- Australian Security Intelligence Organisation 1949–present
- Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre 1992–present
- Classification Board 1996–present
- Classification Review Board 1996–present
- Family Court of Australia 1976–2021
- Federal Court of Australia 1977–present
- Federal Police Disciplinary Tribunal 1982–2006
- High Court of Australia 1903–present
- Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission 1986–2009
- Immigration Review Tribunal 1989–1999
- Law Reform Commission 1975–1997
- National Crime Authority 1984–2003
- National Native Title Tribunal 1994–present
- Office of Film and Literature Classification 1988–2006
- Office of Parliamentary Counsel 1970–present
- Office of Strategic Crime Assessments 1994–2003
- Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman 1977–present
- Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions 1984–present
- Office of the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security 1987–present
- Refugee Review Tribunal 1993–2015
- Social Security Appeals Tribunal 1975–2015
Treasury & finance
- Australian Accounting Standards Board 1991–present
- Australian Bureau of Statistics 1974–present
- Australian Competition and Consumer Commission 1995–present
- Australian Competition Tribunal 1995–present
- Australian Industry Development Corporation 1970–1997
- Australian Property Group 1988–1997
- Australian Securities Commission 1991–1998
- Australian Taxation Office 1973–present
- Australian Valuation Office 1988–2014
- Commonwealth Grants Commission 1933–present
- Companies and Securities Advisory Committee 1991–2002
- Companies Auditors and Liquidators Disciplinary Board 1991–2017
- ComSuper 1976–2015
- Corporations and Securities Panel 1991–2000
- CSS Board 1990–2006
- Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits Authority 1972–2011
- Economic Planning Advisory Council 1983–1998
- Industry Commission 1990–1998
- Insolvency and Trustee Service Australia 1996–2013
- Insurance and Superannuation Commission 1987–1998
- Military Superannuation and Benefits Board of Trustees No. 1 1991–2011
- National Competition Council 1995–present
- Note Printing Branch 1913–1998
- Office of Asset Sales and Information Technology Outsourcing 1997–2001
- PSS Board 1990–2006
- Purchasing Australia 1990–1997
- Reserve Bank of Australia 1960–present
- Royal Australian Mint 1965–present
- Superannuation Complaints Tribunal 1994–2020
- Tax Agents' Boards 1943–2010
Industry, science & resources
- Anglo-Australian Telescope Board 1971–2010
- Anti-Dumping Authority 1988–1998
- Australian Geological Survey Organisation 1992–2001
- Australian Government Analytical Laboratories 1973–2004
- Australian Industrial Property Organisation 1992–1998
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation 1987–present
- Australian Science, Technology and Engineering Council 1997–1998
- Australian Surveying and Land Information Group 1987–2001
- Bureau of Industry Economics 1977–1998
- Commission for the Future 1985–1998
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation 1949–present
- Copyright Tribunal of Australia 1969–present
- Energy Research and Development Corporation 1990–1998
- Industry Research and Development Board 1986–2007
- Joint Coal Board 1947–2002
- National Measurement Laboratory 1938–2004
- National Standards Commission 1950–2004
- Office of the Chief Scientist 1989–present
- Pooled Development Funds Registration Board 1992–2002
- Questacon – National Science and Technology Centre 1988–present
- Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Authority 1949–2002
- Textiles, Clothing and Footwear Development Authority 1988–1999
Health, ageing & disability
- Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency 1997–2014
- Australia New Zealand Food Authority 1996–2002
- Australian Hearing Services 1992–present
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 1992–present
- Australian Radiation Laboratory 1973–1999
- Health Insurance Commission 1974–2005
- National Breast Cancer Centre 1995–2008
- National Health and Medical Research Council 1936–present
- National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme 1990–2020
- Nuclear Safety Bureau 1992–1999
- Private Health Insurance Administration Council 1989–2015
- Private Health Insurance Complaints Commissioner 1995–1998
- Professional Services Review 1994–present
- Therapeutic Goods Administration 1989–present
Social services & housing
- Australian Institute of Family Studies 1980–present
- Child Support Agency 1988–2011
- Commonwealth Rehabilitation Service 1948–2015
- Housing Loans Insurance Corporation 1965–1997
- National Childcare Accreditation Council 1993–2012
- Office of the Status of Women 1983–2004
Education & research
- Australian Maritime College 1978–2008
- Australian National Training Authority 1992–2005
- Australian National University 1946–present
- Australian Research Council 1988–2001
- Australian Student Traineeship Foundation 1994–2001
- National Board of Employment, Education and Training 1988–2000
Employment & workplace
- Affirmative Action Agency 1986–1999
- Australian Industrial Registry 1989–2010
- Australian Industrial Relations Commission 1989–2010
- Coal Mining Industry (Long Service Leave Funding) Corporation 1992–present
- Comcare 1992–present
- Commonwealth Employment Service 1946–1998
- Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal 1984–present
- Employment Assistance Australia 1995–1998
- Employment Services Regulatory Authority 1995–1998
- National Occupational Health and Safety Commission 1985–2006
- Office of the Employment Advocate 1997–2007
- Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission 1992–present
- Seafarers Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Authority 1993–present
Transport & infrastructure
- Airservices Australia 1995–present
- Albury-Wodonga Development Corporation 1974–2014
- ANL Limited 1989–1998
- Australian Building Codes Board 1994–present
- Australian Maritime Safety Authority 1991–present
- Australian National Railways Commission 1975–1998
- Bureau of Air Safety Investigation 1982–1999
- Bureau of Transport Economics 1997–1999
- Civil Aviation Safety Authority 1995–present
- Federal Airports Corporation 1988–1998
- Federal Office of Road Safety 1974–1999
- International Air Services Commission 1992–present
- Marine Incident Investigation Unit 1990–1999
- National Rail Corporation Limited 1991–2002
- National Road Transport Commission 1991–2004
Communications & media
- Australian Broadcasting Authority 1992–2005
- Australian Broadcasting Corporation 1983–present
- Australian Government Publishing Service 1970–1997
- Australian Postal Corporation 1989–present
- Australian Telecommunications Authority 1989–1997
- National Transmission Agency 1992–1999
- Special Broadcasting Service Corporation 1991–present
- Spectrum Management Agency 1993–1997
- Telstra Corporation Limited 1993–2006
Arts, sport & collections
- Australia Council 1973–2023
- Australian Archives 1974–1998
- Australian Film Commission 1975–2008
- Australian Film Finance Corporation 1988–2008
- Australian Film, Television and Radio School 1986–present
- Australian Multimedia Enterprise Limited 1995–1999
- Australian National Maritime Museum 1990–present
- Australian Sports Commission 1985–present
- Australian Sports Drug Agency 1988–2006
- Australian Sports Foundation Limited 1986–present
- Australian War Memorial 1925–present
- Bundanon Trust 1993–present
- Film Australia Limited 1988–2008
- National Australia Day Council Limited 1990–present
- National Film and Sound Archive 1984–1999
- National Gallery of Australia 1992–present
- National Library of Australia 1961–present
- National Museum of Australia 1980–present
Indigenous affairs
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commercial Development Corporation 1990–2001
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission 1990–2005
- Aboriginal Hostels Limited 1973–present
- Aboriginal Land Commissioner 1977–present
- Anindilyakwa Land Council 1991–present
- Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies 1990–present
- Central Land Council 1977–present
- Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation 1991–2001
- Indigenous Land Corporation 1995–2019
- Northern Land Council 1977–present
- Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health 1995–2014
- Office of Evaluation and Audit 1990–2005
- Office of the Registrar of Aboriginal Corporations 1978–2007
- Tiwi Land Council 1978–present
- Torres Strait Regional Authority 1994–present
- Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community Council 1987–present
Territories & national capital
- Christmas Island Administration 1958–present
- Cocos (Keeling) Islands Administration 1955–present
- National Capital Authority 1996–present
Agriculture, fisheries & forestry
- Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics 1988–2010
- Australian Dairy Corporation 1975–2003
- Australian Dried Fruits Board 1991–2001
- Australian Fisheries Management Authority 1992–present
- Australian Horticultural Corporation 1988–2001
- Australian Meat and Live-stock Corporation 1977–1998
- Australian Plague Locust Commission 1974–present
- Australian Pork Corporation 1987–2001
- Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service 1986–2012
- Australian Wheat Board 1939–1999
- Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation 1981–2010
- Australian Wool Research and Promotion Organisation 1993–2001
- Bureau of Resource Sciences 1992–1998
- Cotton Research and Development Corporation 1990–present
- Dairy Research and Development Corporation 1986–2003
- Fisheries Research and Development Corporation 1991–present
- Forest and Wood Products Research and Development Corporation 1994–2007
- Grains Research and Development Corporation 1990–present
- Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation 1991–2014
- Horticultural Research and Development Corporation 1988–2001
- Land and Water Resources Research and Development Corporation 1990–2009
- Meat Research Corporation 1991–1998
- National Registration Authority for Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals 1993–2004
- Pig Research and Development Corporation 1990–2001
- Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation 1990–present
- Sugar Research and Development Corporation 1990–2013
- Wool International 1993–1999
Environment & water
- Australian Antarctic Division 1948–present
- Australian Heritage Commission 1975–2004
- Australian Institute of Marine Science 1972–present
- Australian National Botanic Gardens 1984–present
- Bureau of Meteorology 1908–present
- Director of National Parks and Wildlife 1975–2000
- Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority 1975–present
- Ionospheric Prediction Service 1947–2007
- Murray-Darling Basin Commission 1988–2008
- National Environment Protection Council Service Corporation 1995–2014
- Supervising Scientist 1994–present
Defence & veterans
- AAF Company 1946–present
- Aeronautical and Maritime Research Laboratory 1994–2002
- Army and Air Force Canteen Service 1979–present
- Australian Defence Industries Pty Ltd 1989–1999
- Australian Military Forces Relief Trust Fund 1947–present
- Australian Submarine Corporation Pty Ltd 1985–2004
- Defence Acquisition Organisation 1997–2000
- Defence Force Discipline Appeal Tribunal 1985–present
- Defence Housing Authority 1988–2006
- Defence Intelligence Organisation 1990–present
- Defence Science and Technology Organisation 1974–2015
- Defence Signals Directorate 1978–2013
- Office of Australian War Graves 1975–present
- RAAF Welfare Recreational Company 1969–present
- Repatriation Commission 1918–present
- Repatriation Medical Authority 1994–present
- Royal Australian Air Force Veterans' Residences Trust Fund 1953–present
- Royal Australian Air Force Welfare Trust Fund 1947–present
- Royal Australian Navy Central Canteens Board 1943–present
- Royal Australian Navy Relief Trust Fund 1947–present
- Specialist Medical Review Council 1994–present
- Veterans' Review Board 1985–present
Foreign affairs & trade
- Australia-China Council 1978–2020
- Australia-India Council 1992–2023
- Australia-Indonesia Institute 1989–present
- Australia-Japan Foundation 1976–2006
- Australia-Korea Foundation 1992–present
- Australian Agency for International Development 1995–2013
- Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research 1982–present
- Australian Safeguards Office 1974–1998
- Australian Secret Intelligence Service 1952–present
- Australian Tourist Commission 1967–2004
- Australian Trade Commission 1986–2016
- Bureau of Tourism Research 1987–2004
- Chemical Weapons Convention Office 1994–1998
- Export Finance and Insurance Corporation 1991–present
- Invest Australia 1997–2008
- Office of National Tourism 1996–1998
Immigration & border
- Australian Customs Service 1985–2009
- Australian Emergency Management Institute 1993–2015
- Coastwatch 1988–2005
- Emergency Management Australia 1993–2022
- Migration Internal Review Office 1989–1999