[1] The PCPN started in 1984 as the Committee for Geographical Names in Australia (CGNA) and it was renamed in 2005.
It was integrated within the Intergovernmental Committee on Surveying and Mapping (ICSM) in 1993.
It is also associated with the Geospatial and Earth Monitoring Division of Geoscience Australia.
It contributes to the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names.
Annual meetings followed at:- The authorities that work on geographic names and are members of the committee, and the enabling legislation, are as follows:[2]