Department of the Navy
13 November 1939 – 30 November 1973
Department of State that administered the Royal Australian Navy, supporting the Minister for the Navy and the Naval 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 Navy Office and support of the Australian Commonwealth Naval Board from the Department of Defence; it was the second Department of the Navy, the first having existed from 1915 to 1921.
- Navy Office
- Support of the Naval Board
Changes during its life
- Naval 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 Navy Office within the Department of Defence.
- Administration of the Royal Australian Navy (as the Navy Office)
Main functions
- Administration and finance of the Royal Australian Navy
- Support of the Naval Board
- Naval personnel, ships and equipment
- Naval dockyards
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)