Native Affairs Branch, 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, a position which replaced the role of the Chief Protector Aborigines after that role had been abolished by the Aboriginals Ordinance 1939. 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.