In October 1970, a re-organisation of the Northern Territory
Administration was begun. As part of this re-organisation, the Welfare Branch (CA 1076) was upgraded to a Division of the Administration headed by an Assistant Administrator.
 
The Administrative Arrangements Order of 19 December 1972 resulted in the functions of the Welfare Division being divided between the newly created Commonwealth Department of Aboriginal Affairs and the Departments of Health and Education. (1)
 
However there appears to have been some delay before the changes were fully implemented. Initially positions were created in the Department of Aboriginal Affairs in the same number, location, designation, classification and salary as those in the Welfare Division, Northern Territory Administration immediately prior to 19 December 1972. (2)  
Of the new Department of Aboriginal Affairs' 957 officers, 897 were from the Welfare Division of the Northern Territory Administration. (3) As from 1 January 1973, the Department of Health Northern Territory Divisional Office (CA 1042) took over responsibility for health matters of the former Welfare Division. (4)
 
As from 13 February 1973, the Department of Education, Northern Territory Education Branch (CA 2592) took over responsibility for aboriginal education in the Northern Territory from the former Welfare Division. (5) Therefore, by February 1973 the staff of the new Department of Aboriginal Affairs had been reduced from 957 to 476 by the transfer of the education and health responsibilities. (6)
 
References:
 
1. Commonwealth Gazette, No. 131, 20 Dec. 1972, pp.1-14
 
2. Commonwealth Gazette, No. 43, 12 Apr. 1973, p.88
 
3. Department of Aboriginal Affairs, Report for Dec.1972 - June 1974, pp.
   1-2 Commonwealth Parliamentary Paper No. 299/1974
 
4. Director-General of Health, Annual Report for 1972/73, pp.5-6, 10-11,    45.
 
5. Commonwealth Gazette, No.65, 7 June 1973, p.47; Australian Government    Gazette, No.93, 2 Aug. 1973, p.55
 
6. Department of Aboriginal Affairs, Report for Dec. 1972 - June 1974,    pp.1-2
 

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