The title of the Native Affairs Branch (CA 1078) of the Northern Territory Administration was changed to the Welfare Branch in 1955. This was seen as part of the change in policy reflected in the Welfare Ordinance 1953, under section 8 of which, the Director of Welfare had the specific duty in respect of the Aboriginal population "to promote their social, economic and political advancement for the purpose of assisting them and their descendants to take their place as members of the community of the Commonwealth". The Ordinance thus abandoned the merely "protective" approach of the Aboriginals Ordinance 1918-1953 in favour of a positive "welfare" policy.(1)
 
In January 1956, administration of Aboriginal education in the Northern Territory was transferred from the Commonwealth Office of Education to the Welfare Branch (2). (Subject to further research) 
  
For the purpose of Welfare Branch field administration relating to Aborigines, the Northern Territory was divided into four districts in 1957/58: Leichhardt, Gregory, Giles and Lindsay with headquarters in Darwin, Katherine, Alice Springs and Tennant Creek respectively.(3) These districts reported directly to the Welfare Branch until 1961/62. In that year two Divisional Welfare Offices were set up in Darwin (Northern) (CA 2838) and in Alice Springs (Southern) (CA 2843). (4)  These Divisional Offices co-ordinated the activities of the District Welfare Offices and reported in turn to the Welfare Branch.
 
In October 1970, a re-organisation of the Northern Territory Administration was begun. As part of this re-organisation the Welfare Branch was up-graded to a Division (CA 2835) of the Northern Territory Administration.
 
References:
 
1. Northern Territory Annual Report, 1955/56, p. 34-35
 
2. Northern Territory Annual Report, 1955/56, p. 35
 
3. Northern Territory Annual Report, 1957/58, p. 37 (Note: The    District Welfare Office, Leichhardt District (Darwin) used the    Welfare Branch record-keeping system until c. 1959)
 
4. Northern Territory Annual Report, 1961/62, p. 41
 

Historical agency address
Administration Building No 3, Mitchell Street, Darwin