Department of Aboriginal Affairs

Created by the Administrative Arrangements Order of 19 December 1972 as one of the new departments of the Whitlam government, with Gordon Bryant as the first minister. Its nucleus was the Office of Aboriginal Affairs from the Department of the Environment, Aborigines and the Arts; it also took over the Department of the Interior's responsibility for Aboriginal affairs in the Northern Territory, and during 1973 the Aboriginal functions of the Welfare Branch of the Northern Territory Administration.

Abolished on 5 March 1990 when the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission began operating under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Act 1989. ATSIC took over the department's programs and staff, together with those of the Aboriginal Development Commission.

• Commonwealth Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs policy and coordination
• Grants to the States and Aboriginal organisations for housing, health, legal aid and employment
• Aboriginal land rights, including administration of the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976
• Aboriginal welfare and community services in the Northern Territory
• Support for consultative bodies such as the National Aboriginal Consultative Committee and National Aboriginal Conference
• Oversight of Aboriginal statutory bodies and companies such as the Aboriginal Development Commission and Aboriginal Hostels Limited

• Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies 1964–1990
• Council for Aboriginal Affairs 1967–1976
• Aboriginal Arts and Crafts Pty Ltd 1971–1990
• National Aboriginal Consultative Committee 1973–1977
• Aboriginal Land Fund Commission 1974–1980
• Aboriginal Loans Commission 1974–1980
• National Aboriginal Conference 1977–1985
• Aboriginal Development Commission 1980–1990

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