Australian Government
The Native Affairs Branch took over responsibility for Aboriginal people from the Medical Service, Health and Aboriginals Branch in 1939. The Native Affairs Branch worked under the direction of the Director of Native Affairs. In 1955 the work of the Native Affairs Branch was taken over by the Welfare Branch.
As a result of the Second World War, the Native Affairs Branch was moved from Darwin to Alice Springs in 1942. It is understood that in 1946, the Branch moved back to Darwin and a permanent local office was also established in Alice Springs.
From 1941 to 1951 changes within the Department of the Interior, the Commonwealth Department responsible for Northern Territory Administration, the Native Affairs Branch was re-defined as the Native Affairs Section.
1910 - 1928 Northern Territory Aboriginals Department
1928 - 1930 Health and Aboriginals Branch, Northern Territory Administration
1931 - 1939 Medical Services, Health and Aboriginals Branch
1939 - 1955 Native Affairs Branch
1955 - 1970 Welfare Branch, Northern Territory Administration
1970 - 1972 Welfare Division, Northern Territory Administration
1972 - 1990 Department of Aboriginal Affairs, Northern Territory Division
1974 - 1977 Community Welfare Section, Department of the Northern Territory
1977 Department of Community Services
1977 - 1978 Department of Community and Social Development
1978 - 1987 Department of Community Development
1987 - 1995 Department of Health and Community Services [I]
1995 - 2001 Territory Health Services
2001 - 2008 Department of Health and Community Services [II]
2008 - 2010 Department of Health and Families
2011 - Department of Health
2011 - 2016 Department of Children and Families
2016 - Territory Families
Prepared by: Karen George and Gary George
Created: 8 May 2012, Last modified: 25 September 2013