Defence & veteransDepartment of State
Department of the Army
13 November 1939 – 30 November 1973
Department of State that administered the Australian Army, supporting the minister and the Military 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 service departments. It took over the administration and finance of the Army and support of the Military Board from the Department of Defence.
- Administration of the Army
- Support of the Military Board
Changes during its life
- Military 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 Army Office within the Department of Defence.
- Administration of the Australian Army (as the Army Office)
Main functions
- Administration and finance of the Australian Army
- Support of the Military Board
- Army personnel, equipment and works
- Administration of the Citizen Military Forces
- Army training of national servicemen
Bodies in this portfolio (1)
- Australian Army Canteens Service 1941–1959
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)