Transport & infrastructureDepartment of State
Department of Civil Aviation
DCA
24 November 1938 – 30 November 1973
The department responsible for regulating and developing civil aviation in Australia: airworthiness and licensing, airways and air traffic control, aerodromes, accident investigation and airline policy.
How it came into existence
Created on 24 November 1938 by the Lyons government, after criticism of civil aviation administration following the Kyeema crash of October 1938, replacing the Civil Aviation Board of the Department of Defence.
- Civil aviation administration under the Air Navigation Act 1920
- Civil aviation regulation and licensing
- Airways and aerodromes
How it ended
Absorbed into the Department of Transport on 30 November 1973.
- Civil aviation regulation and airline policy
- Airports and air navigation services
Main functions
- Civil aviation safety regulation, airworthiness and licensing
- Airways, air navigation facilities and air traffic control
- Construction and operation of civil aerodromes
- Air accident investigation
- Airline policy and the two-airline system
- International civil aviation relations
Bodies in this portfolio (2)
- British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines Limited 1946–1954
- Qantas Empire Airways Limited 1947–1967
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)