The first official appointment to the position of Colonial Secretary was of Frederick Goulburn in 1821. After responsible government in 1856, the Colonial Secretary (at times known as the Principal Secretary, or Chief Secretary) frequently acted as Premier or Prime Minister prior to the establishment of the Premier's Department in 1907.
 
During the 19th Century the Colonial Secretary's Department was the most important administrative unit in New South Wales. In administrative arrangements notified by the Governor on 4 October 1859, the Colonial Secretary was referred to as the "Colonial Secretary or Chief Secretary to the Government." This latter title was gradually adopted as the title of the office, although an official ministerial title change did not occur until 1 April 1959 under the Ministers of the Crown Act(No. 4 of 1959).
 
The office became the Department of Services in January 1975.  


Source
 
Archeon No. 1, Archives Authority of New South Wales, unknown date, pp. 6-7
Historical agency address
1821-1975: Sydney, New South Wales

Minister responsible unregistered

1821-1975: Governor of New South Wales

Previous agency unregistered

1821: Secretary to the Governor of New South Wales

Subsequent agency unregistered

1975: New South Wales, Department of Services