The Department of Aviation was announced by Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser as a new agency in 1982.
At the time Fraser said that "the re-establishment of an Aviation Department recognises the importance of civil aviation to the economy and to the community at large.
It is a distinct area which presents particular issues of its own and its importance warrants individual ministerial attention.
"[2] Information about the department's functions and government funding allocation could be found in the Administrative Arrangements Orders, the annual Portfolio Budget Statements and in the department's annual reports.
The department was responsible for civil and air navigation functions, inherited from the Department of Transport (III).