Education & researchStatutory authorityExists today
Australian National University
ANU
1 August 1946 – present
Australia's national university, created to pursue research of national importance through postgraduate research schools and, since 1960, also teaching undergraduates in Canberra.
How it came into existence
Established by the Australian National University Act 1946, which received assent on 1 August 1946, as a research university with research schools of physical sciences, medical research, social sciences and Pacific studies. It was a new body; existing Commonwealth institutions in Canberra were later added to it.
Legislation: Australian National University Act 1946; Australian National University Act 1991
Changes during its life
- 1960Amalgamation with Canberra University College divided the University into the Institute of Advanced Studies (the research schools) and the School of General Studies (undergraduate teaching).
- 13 December 1966Responsibility passed from the Prime Minister's portfolio to the new Department of Education and Science.
- 19 December 1972Responsibility passed to the new Department of Education when the Department of Education and Science was split.
- 1991The Australian National University Act 1991 replaced the 1946 Act and continued the University in existence.
- 14 December 2011Responsibility for universities passed to the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education.
- 18 September 2013Responsibility for universities returned to the Education portfolio.
- Astronomical observatory at Mount Stromlo
- Undergraduate teaching (School of General Studies)
- Professional forestry education
- Tertiary music education
- Tertiary visual arts education
- Operation of the Anglo-Australian Telescope at Siding Spring Observatory
Main functions
- Research and research training
- Undergraduate and postgraduate teaching
- Astronomy at Mount Stromlo and Siding Spring observatories
- Music and visual arts education
- Asia-Pacific research and policy expertise
Where it sits
In the portfolio of Department of Education.
- Type of body
- Corporate Commonwealth entity
- Portfolio
- Education
- Accountable authority
- Council – Australian National University Act 1991 sections 4 and 8, with circumstantial references in sections 13(4) and 13(5)(b) (membership section 10)
- ABN
- 52 234 063 906
Lineage
Loading lineage…
Sources
Primary sources
- List of Commonwealth entities and companies under the PGPA Act, 1 July 2026 (Department of Finance)
- Australian Government Organisations Register (Department of Finance, data.gov.au) (listed from 11 December 2014 to the latest release (30 June 2026))