It comprises seven members, of whom four are directly elected by the island population, and reports directly to the New South Wales Minister for Environment and Heritage, and is responsible for the care, control and management of the island.

[1][2] Its duties include the: The Lord Howe Island Regulation 2014 give effect to the LHI Act by establishing measures for administration including: Board elections, licensing of businesses, environment protection, sale and consumption of alcohol, and placed the board under the provisions of the Local Government Act 1993.

[2][3] Since 2004 the Board has comprised seven members, four of whom are elected from the islander community, thus giving the approximately 350 permanent residents a high level of autonomy.

[2] The remaining three members (including the Chairperson) are appointed by the Minister of whom: The full Board meets quarterly on the island while the day-to-day affairs of the island are managed by the Board’s administration which operates in a similar manner to a local government authority in New South Wales, with a permanent staff of 50 led by a Chief Executive Officer.

[6][7] The Lord Howe Island Board commenced operations from 23 April 1954 and comprised five members appointed by the Chief Secretary.