Defence & veteransDepartment of State
Department of the Navy
12 July 1915 – 21 December 1921
The first Department of the Navy, which administered the Royal Australian Navy separately from the Department of Defence during and immediately after the First World War.
How it came into existence
Created on 12 July 1915 by the Fisher government from the naval administration of the Department of Defence, serving the new Minister for the Navy and the Australian Commonwealth Naval Board.
- Naval administration
- Naval dockyards and establishments
Changes during its life
- Coastal wireless stations
The coastal radio stations were run by the Navy as the RAN Radio Service from 1916; the exact date of transfer is not confirmed.
How it ended
Merged with the Department of Defence on 21 December 1921 to form a new Department of Defence.
- Naval administration
- Naval dockyards and establishments
Main functions
- Administration of the Royal Australian Navy and support for the Naval Board
- Naval works and dockyards, including Cockatoo Island Dockyard (until 1921)
- Royal Australian Naval College
- Naval shipbuilding and ship acquisition
- Coastal wireless stations (RAN Radio Service, from 1916)
Bodies in this portfolio (1)
- Commonwealth Naval Dockyard 1913–1921
Lineage
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Sources
Primary sources
- Administrative Arrangements Order of 22 September 1915 (sets it out)
Other sources
Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.