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Defence & veteransDepartment of State

Department of Defence

1 January 1901 – 21 December 1921

The first Commonwealth Department of Defence, administering the Commonwealth's military and (until 1915) naval forces, including the raising and administration of the Australian Imperial Force in the First World War.

How it came into existence

Established on 1 January 1901 as one of the seven original Departments of State. On 1 March 1901 the naval and military forces of the former colonies were transferred to the Commonwealth under section 69 of the Constitution and came under its administration.

Changes during its life

  1. 1 March 1901Took over the naval and military forces of the former colonies, transferred to the Commonwealth by proclamation under section 69 of the Constitution.
  2. 12 January 1905The post of General Officer Commanding was abolished and the Council of Defence, Military Board and Naval Board were established to administer the forces.
  • Part split off to form Military Board · 12 January 1905
    • Command and administration of the Commonwealth Military Forces

    Took over the role of the General Officer Commanding the Commonwealth Military Forces, an office within the Department of Defence.

  • Part split off to form Naval Board · 12 January 1905
    • Administration of the Commonwealth Naval Forces
  • Part split off to form Explosives Factory Maribyrnong · 1910
    • Cordite and explosives manufacture
    • Supply of harness, saddlery and leather equipment
  • Part split off to form Commonwealth Government Clothing Factory · 1912
    • Manufacture of uniforms and clothing
  • Part split off to form Commonwealth Small Arms Factory · 1912
    • Small arms manufacture
  • Part split off to form Commonwealth Woollen Mills · 1915
    • Supply of woollen cloth for uniforms
  • Part split off to form Department of the Navy · 12 July 1915
    • Naval administration
    • Naval dockyards and establishments
  • Part split off to form Air Board · November 1920
    • Administration of military aviation
  • Part split off to form Munitions Supply Board · 1921
    • Control of government defence factories
  • Part split off to form Civil Aviation Branch · 28 March 1921
    • Civil aviation regulation under the Air Navigation Act 1920
  • Functions transferred to Department of Home and Territories · 9 May 1921
    • Administration of the former German New Guinea

    Civil administration of the mandated Territory of New Guinea began on 9 May 1921 under the New Guinea Act 1920, ending military administration under Defence. A 1923 order is reported to have placed New Guinea and Nauru with the Prime Minister's Department and the Department of External Affairs, so whether this department administered New Guinea from 1921 is not confirmed.

How it ended

Merged with the Department of the Navy on 21 December 1921 to form a new Department of Defence, reuniting naval and military administration in a single department.

  • Merged into Department of Defence · 21 December 1921
    • Military administration
    • Munitions and factories
    • Civil aviation

Main functions

  • Administration of the Commonwealth Military Forces
  • Commonwealth Naval Forces and the Royal Australian Navy (until 1915)
  • Compulsory military training and the Royal Military College, Duntroon
  • Raising and administration of the Australian Imperial Force
  • Government munitions and clothing factories, including the Lithgow Small Arms Factory
  • Military administration of occupied German New Guinea (1914–1921)
  • Military aviation (Air Board, from 1920) and civil aviation regulation (Civil Aviation Branch, from 1921)

Bodies in this portfolio (3)

Lineage

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Sources

Primary sources

1 more Administrative Arrangements Order sets it out