Department of Air
13 November 1939 – 30 November 1973
Department of State that administered the Royal Australian Air Force, supporting the Minister for Air and the Air Board, from 1939 to 1973.
How it came into existence
Created on 13 November 1939 by Administrative Arrangements Order, when the Menzies government divided the Department of Defence into the Department of Defence Co-ordination and separate departments for each service. It took over the administration and finance of the RAAF and support of the Air Board from the Department of Defence.
- Administration of the RAAF
- Support of the Air Board
Changes during its life
- Air strategic intelligence
How it ended
Abolished on 30 November 1973 when the single-service departments were absorbed into the Department of Defence under the reorganisation recommended by Sir Arthur Tange; its role passed to the Air Office within the Department of Defence.
- Administration of the RAAF (as the Air Office)
Main functions
- Administration and finance of the RAAF
- Support of the Air Board
- Air Force personnel, equipment and works
- Empire Air Training Scheme in Australia (Second World War)
Lineage
Loading lineage…
Sources
Primary sources
- Administrative Arrangements Order of 16 November 1950 (sets it out)
- Administrative Arrangements Order of 19 December 1972 (sets it out)