Department of Home Affairs (1901–16)
The Department of Home Affairs was an Australian government department that existed between 1901 and 1916. It was one of seven inaugural government departments of Australia established at federation.Scope
Information about the department's functions and/or government funding allocation could be found in the Administrative Arrangements Orders, the annual Portfolio Budget Statements and in the Department's annual reports.
At its creation, the Department dealt with:
- Old-age pensions
- People of special races
- Acquisition of property
- Acquisition of railways with State consent
- Control of railways with State consent
- Astronomical
- Census and Statistics
- Public Works
- Federal Capital
- Inter-State Commissions
- Elections
- Public Service
Structure
The Department was an Australian Public Service department, staffed by officials who were responsible to the Minister for Home Affairs.
