Organisational Timeline of the Department

Date Event
2 December 1920 The Air Navigation Act, which established the Civil Aviation Branch of the Department of Defence, was passed.
28 March 1921 The Civil Aviation Branch began to function, with the appointment of Superintendents of Aerodromes, Flying Operations and Aircraft.
8 April 1936 The Civil Aviation Board was established within the Department of Defence.
14 November 1938 The Department of Civil Aviation was created.
30 November 1973 The Department of Civil Aviation was amalgamated with the Department of Shipping and Transport to form the Department of Transport, Air Transport Group.
7 May 1982 The Department of Aviation was created.
7 June 1982 The Bureau of Air Safety Investigation is created as an independent entity in the Department from the old Air Safety Investigation Branch.
24 July 1987 The Department of Aviation was amalgamated with the Department of Transport and Communications.
1 January 1988 The Federal Airports Corporation was established.
1 July 1988

The Civil Aviation Authority was established. Responsible for industry safety regulation and the provision of air traffic services.

Responsibility for domestic and international policy remained with the Department of Transport and Communications.

1 July 1995 The Civil Aviation Safety Authority was created. Responsible for industry safety regulation.
6 July 1995 Airservices Australia was created. Responsible for the provision of air traffic services.
1 July 1997 Responsibility for aviation Search And Rescue (SAR) is transferred to AusSAR, part of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.
1 July 1999 BASI is amalgamated with other transport accident investigation agencies to form the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

Click here to see a list of organisational acronyms used on this site

Click here to see a list of responsible Ministers

Click here to see a list of Controllers and Directors-General


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