As a result of the importance given to the need to control the coal industry during the Second World War, the Commonwealth Government established the Office of the Commonwealth Coal Commissioner and accorded it with wide powers relative to the production, distribution and prices of coal in Australia. This government action was embodied in the Coal Production (War Times) Act of l944.

In l946, the Federal and the New South Wales Governments agreed that at the expiration of the war, a permanent authority that would continue the tasks given to the Coal Commissioner would be established and each government would allocate all the requirements and needed supports. On its part, the Federal government passed the Coal Industry Act No. 46 of l946 and the NSW State Government issued Coal Industry Act No. 44 of l946 and established the Joint Coal Board on l February 1947. The first members of the Board were Keith A. Cameron as Chairman and Robert P. Jack and Alberto E. Quarburton as members. The Board was responsible to both governments through the Minister for Minerals and Energy of the Commonwealth Government and the Minister for Mines and Energy of the NSW State Government.

The powers and functions of the Board are as follows:
 
 l. to ensure that coal is produced in the State in such quantities 
    and with such regularity as will meet requirements throughout 
    Australia and in trade with other countries;
 
 2. to ensure that coal resources of the State are conserved, 
    developed, worked, and used to the best advantage in the
    public interest;
 
 3. to ensure that coal produced in the State is distributed and 
    used in such manner, quantities, classes, and grades
    and at such prices as are calculated best to serve the public 
    interest and to secure the economical use of coal and the
    maintenance of essential services and industries activities;  and
 
 4. to promote the welfare of workers engaged in the coal industry 
    in the State of New South Wales.

The establishment of the Joint Coal Board increased coal production output in NSW tremendously. From 12 million tons in 1947 it rose to 37 million tons in l972. Export of this valuable product was given additional impetus when the Export Committee was created in l953. The Committee has been credited with the exportation of 12.5 million tons of coal to Japan, Pakistan and Malaya (now Malaysia) during the succeeding years. The Board also operated district offices in Newcastle, Cessnock, Lithgow, Corrimal, and Wollongong.

From its creation in l947, the Board was under successive government departments providing support to its important responsibilities of regulating the coal mining industry in New South Wales.
The Departments were: (1942-48) Department of Supply and Shipping; (l948-50) Department of Shipping and Fuel; (l950-5l) Department of Fuel, Shipping and Transport; (l95l-72) Department of National Development; (l972-75) Department of Minerals and Energy; (l975-77) Department of National Resources; (l977-83) Department of Trade and Resources; (l983-87) Department of Resources and Energy; and (l987-98) Department of Primary Industries and Energy. On its part, the NSW Government supported the undertaking assigned the Board through its State Department of Mines.

In l983-84, a review of the powers, structures and membership of the Board was undertaken and it was decided by both the Federal and the New South Wales State Governments to retain the Board's existing structure and powers but reconstituted the basis of membership to include representatives of unions and proprietors and an independent Chairman of the Board. This plan was completed in l986-87 making the Chairman of the Board an independent position and welcomed a member representing the coal industry workers and another representing the coal companies.

With the commencement of the Coal Industry Act 2001 on 1 January 2002, the Joint Coal Board and the Mines Rescue Board ceased to exist. The activities of these entities were merged into a new private company called Coal Services Pty Limited which has responsibility for workers' compensation, occupational health and rehabilitation and mines rescue services to the New South Wales coal industry.

Coal Services Pty Limited is owned by the NSW coal industry, with the NSW Minerals Council and the CFMEU each taking a 50% shareholding.

Note: The original text of the full notes found below has been substituted by the above texts of the Summary and Full Notes.
 
Following the 1939 coal strike, the Government in 1941 established a Central Reference Board and removed coal from the jurisdiction of the Arbitration Commission. At the same time a Commonwealth Coal Board was established. In August 1941 the Board was replaced by a Coal Commissioner. The establishment of the Joint Coal Board was brought about by the passing of the Coal Industry Act No. 40 of 1946 by the Federal Parliament and the Coal Industry Act No. 44 of 1946 by the New South Wales Parliament.

Historical agency address
by 1947-1953: 66 King Street, Sydney, NSW
by 1954-1966: Cnr Goulburn and Brisbane Streets, Sydney, NSW
by 1967-1984: Sirius House, 23 Macquarie Place, Sydney, NSW
by l985-    : 1 Chifley Square, Sydney, NSW

Legislation administered
Commonwealth Act No.40 of 1946, Coal Industry Act, 1946 New South Wales Act No.44 of 1946 Governor-General Proclamation of 30 January 1947 declaring the effectivity of the operation of the Joint Coal Board on l February l947 (Commonwealth Gazette No. 2l, 31 January l947.

Agency controlled unregistered

Joint Coal Board, District Office and Medical Bureau, Wollongong, by 1953-
Joint Coal Board, Export Committee