The Office of the Minister Controlling the Northern Territory operated while the Northern Territory was under the control of the South Australian Government. The Office took on this name when responsibility for the Territory was transferred from the Minister of Education to the Treasurer. During this period the Government Resident in the Northern Territory reported to this office.
This office was formed in 1892 when Premier Thomas Playford reorganised the responsibilities of his Ministers. Responsibility for the Northern Territory was transferred from the Minister for Education to the Treasurer until 1901. Although the Northern Territory became the responsibility of a succession of different Ministers during the period 1901 to 1909, the name of the controlling office was retained. In December 1909 the name of the office changed to the Office of the Minister of the Northern Territory.