The Commonwealth Investigation Service was presumed to have been established on 8 August 1946  when the re-organisation of the Investigation Branch (CA 747) was notified in the Gazette and its positions abolished and recreated (Commonwealth Gazette, No.145, 8 August 1946, pp2149-2150)

The first Director was Mr E Longfield-Lloyd. The functions of the Service included maintenance of liaison with customs, postal, taxation and state police services; security at Government factories, dockyards and facilities; and provision of personnel as required for special investigations. The Service also provided translation facilities for Government Departments, and investigated newspapers and other publications in foreign languages. 

Following an announcement by the Prime Minister, Mr Chifley, to the House of Representatives (Hansard 3 Mar 1949 pp 954-955) some of the duties of the Commonwealth Investigation Service were passed to the newly formed Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (CA 1297). The exact nature of the division of duties between the two bodies is unclear. The remainder of the Service was absorbed by the Commonwealth Police Force [II] (CA 736) in April 1960.

In 1953 Mr R W Whitrod was appointed Director and he continued to hold this office until the Service ceased. 

Historical agency address
Patents Office Building, Barton, Canberra ACT
Legislation administered
Creation: Commonwealth Gazette, No.145, 8 August 1946, pp2149-2150
Abolition: Commonwealth of Australia Act no. 85 of 1957 Commonwealth Police Act 1957