The Health Commission of Victoria was established in 1978 by the Health Commission Act 1977. It took on the responsibilities previously administered by the Mental Health Authority, Department of Health, Commission of Public Health, and the Hospitals and Charities Commission. The Health Commission had three divisions: the Public Health Division, the Hospitals Division, and the Mental Health Division (which in 1981 was renamed to the Mental Retardation Division). In 1985 the Health Commission was disestablished, and its responsibilities were divided between the new Department of Health and the Department of Community Services.