When the Australian Intelligence Corps was disbanded in 1914, it was replaced by Intelligence Sections of the Central Staff. The Head of this General Staff Intelligence organisation throughout the war was an ex-member of the Australian Intelligence Corps in Tasmania, Major E L Piesse. Major Piesse's office (known as M O 3) was converted into a directorate on 16 March 1916, and Major Piesse became Australia's first Director of Military Intelligence.

The Directorate's current functions include:

. provisions of advice on operational intelligence

. co-ordination of intelligence within the Australian Army

. development of policy for intelligence and counter-intelligence

for the Army

. technical direction of the school of Military Intelligence

. liaison with foreign service (Army) representatives in Australia

. advice to and liaison with other intelligence agencies on

matters of interest to the Australian Army

. co-ordination of selection and training of linguists

The role of the Directorate after the creation of the Joint Intelligence Organisation (CA 1533) in 1969 is subject to further research as the JIO was formed from the amalgamation of the Joint Intelligence Bureau and sections of the three armed services Directorates of Intelligence.

Sources:

C D Coulthard-Clark, "The Citizen General Staff. The Australian Intelligence Corps 1907-1914", Military Historical Society of Australia, Canberra, 1976.

1963- : C/- Department of Defence, Russell Offices, Canberra

Establishment: Military Order 138/1916

Previous agency unregistered

Mar 1916: General Staff Intelligence Organisation (MO3), 1914-1916
    1942: Services Reconnaissance Department (cover Name for Special
          Operations Australia), 1942-1945