The department was one of several new Departments established by the Whitlam government, a wide restructuring that revealed some of the new government's program.
[2] The creation of the department, with a Darwin-based Secretary, was seen by many as an effort to undermine the role of the Northern Territory Administrator.
[3] 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 the administration of the Northern Territory of Australia and the Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands.
[1] When the department was established, George Warwick Smith was named Secretary.