State of Western Australia
The Health Department and its previous agencies have had an indirect role in out of home care for over a century. The 'Infant Life Protection' provisions in the Health Act 1898 were important in protecting children until the State Children Act 1907 took over that function. It has been the government department responsible for the State's public hospital system, vaccinations, and school medical examinations. In 1984, Mental Health Services became a division of the Health Department.
1903 - 1934 Lunacy Department
1934 - 1954 Mental Hospitals Department
1954 - 1984 Mental Health Services
1984 - Health Department
Sources used to compile this entry: 'AU WA A36 - Health Department of Western Australia', in State Records Office of Western Australia - Organisations & People, State Records Office of Western Australia, 2004, https://archive.sro.wa.gov.au/index.php/health-department-of-western-australia-au-wa-a36.
Prepared by: Debra Rosser
Created: 23 April 2013, Last modified: 23 June 2014