[1][2] Upon Federation, Section 51(v) of the Constitution of Australia gave the Commonwealth exclusive power for "postal, telegraphic, telephonic, and other like services".

[3] The first Postmaster of New South Wales, Isaac Nichols, was appointed by the military junta following the overthrow of Governor Bligh in the Rum Rebellion.

Nichols retained the position when Governor Macquarie arrived in 1810, holding it until his death in 1819.

With the establishment of responsible government in 1856, the position reverted to a civil service office.

[5] In September 1865 the Governor declared that a member of the Legislative Assembly was capable of holding the office of Postmaster-General,[6] and James Cunneen was appointed, however his appointment as a minister did not give him a seat in cabinet.