National Capital Authority
NCA
4 June 1996 – present
Previously National Capital Planning Authority (1989–1996).
Commonwealth statutory agency that administers the National Capital Plan, manages National Land in Canberra such as Lake Burley Griffin, the Parliamentary Zone and national memorials, and promotes the capital.
Names over time
- National Capital Planning Authority1989–1996
- National Capital Authority1996–present
How it came into existence
Renamed from the National Capital Planning Authority on 4 June 1996, continuing under the Australian Capital Territory (Planning and Land Management) Act 1988 in the Environment, Sport and Territories portfolio.
- National Capital Plan
- Management of National Land in Canberra
Legislation: Australian Capital Territory (Planning and Land Management) Act 1988
Changes during its life
- 9 October 1997Moved with territories from the Department of the Environment, Sport and Territories to the Department of Transport and Regional Development.
- 3 December 2007Moved with territories to the Attorney-General's portfolio.
- 14 September 2010Moved with territories to the Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government (from December 2011 the Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport).
- 25 March 2013Moved with territories to the Department of Infrastructure and Transport (renamed the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development in September 2013), whose successors have held it since.
Main functions
- Preparation and administration of the National Capital Plan
- Works approval in Designated Areas
- Management of Lake Burley Griffin and other National Land
- Commemorative works and national memorials
- Promotion and interpretation of Canberra as the national capital
Where it sits
In the portfolio of Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts.
- Type of body
- Non-corporate Commonwealth entity
- Portfolio
- Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts
- Accountable authority
- The Authority – Australian Capital Territory (Planning and Land Management) Act 1988 section 5(2)(b)
- ABN
- 75 149 374 427
Lineage
Loading lineage…
Sources
Primary sources
- List of Commonwealth entities and companies under the PGPA Act, 1 July 2026 (Department of Finance)
- Australian Government Organisations Register (Department of Finance, data.gov.au) (listed from 11 December 2014 to the latest release (30 June 2026))
Government records and websites
Other sources
Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.