On the abolition of the Department of Works and Railways (CA 14) in 1932, the Lands and Survey Branch (CA 737) became the Property and Survey Branch of the Department of the Interior [I] (CA 27). Establishment of the Department was gazetted on 12 April 1932, and the Lands and Surveys function was notified in the Administrative Arrangements Order dated 13 April 1932.  The Branch also absorbed lands functions from the former F.C.T. Branch (CA 756) of the Department of Home Affairs [II] (CA 24), together with Northern Territory matters from the latter.

In 1936, Northern Territory lands functions returned to the Central Office (Interior [I], CA 27). The Property and Survey Branch was transferred in 1938 to the Department of Works [I] (CA 30), and then in 1939 to the Department of the Interior [II] (CA 31).

In 1940 responsibility for bush fire control files passed to the ACT Bush Fire Council (CA 1950).

In 1943, a Housing Section was formed, to include functions previously dealt with by the Works and Services Branch (CA 742) and the Civic Branch (CA 757). The Housing Section of the Property and Survey Branch became a separate Housing and Accommodation Branch (CA 860) in 1947.

The Property and Survey Branch was responsible for the following functions:
 
From 1932
 
- Geodesy (International map of the world and 129th meridian) 
- Lands and Surveys
- Lands Acquisitions Act, 1906-1936
- Properties, (a) transferred, (b) acquired (c) rented
 
From 1947
 
- Accommodation for Commonwealth Departments
- Geodesy
- Lands for Commonwealth purposes, acquisition and leasing of 
- Lands Acquisition Act, 1906-1936
- Mapping, topographical and geographical, including international
  and aeronautical maps
- Property, Commonwealth, management of
- Surveys, land, engineering, topographical and geodetic
 
With the reorganisation of the Department of the Interior [II] in 1951 the Branch was abolished and replaced by:
 
- Property Section (CA 849)
- National Mapping Section (CA 1227)
- ACT Planning and Development Branch (CA 861)
Historical agency address
Acton Offices, Acton ACT