The Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) came into operation on 1 January 1978 under the Broadcasting and Television Amendment Act 1977.[1]The Act established a body by the name of the Special Broadcasting Service with the following functions: (a) to provide multilingual broadcasting services and, if authorized by the regulations, to provide multilingual television services; and (b) to provide broadcasting and television services for suchspecial purposes as are prescribed.

The powers of the Service included:

(a) produce or present programs or arrange, or provide
     facilities, for the production or presentation of programs;
(b) subject to section 73 as applied in accordance with section
     79ZJ, transmit programs or provide facilities for the
     transmission of programs;
(c) arrange for the transmission of programs;
(d) acquire, accept or take on hire, or dispose of or let out,
     personal property (including programs or rights or interests
     in programs);
(e) acquire, hold or dispose of land and buildings;
(f) enter into contracts;
(g) accept gifts, devises or bequests made to the Service,
     whether on trust or otherwise, or act as trustee of moneys
     or other property vested in the Service on trust;
(h) occupy, use and control any land or building owned or held
     under lease by the Commonwealth and made available for the
     purposes of the Service; and
(i) do anything incidental to any of its powers.

Under the Act SBS was to consist of a Chairman, and not less than 2, nor more than 6, other part-time members. The Act also established a position of Executive Director of the Service who was to be the chief executive officer of the Service, appointed by the Governor-General for a period not exceeding 7 years. Staff of the Service were to be persons appointed or employed under the Public Service Act 1922.
SBS was required by the Broadcasting and Television Amendment Act 1977 to submit an annual report to the Minister for Post and Telecommunications which was to be tabled in Parliament.

In announcing the proposed establishment of the Service, the Minister for Post and Telecommunications, Mr Robinson, said that the service might at a later stage assume responsibility for other broadcasting and television services in Australia. However, any new services would have to be approved by Parliament. The purpose of the Special Broadcasting Service was to provide specialist services not otherwise available through the national, commercial or public-broadcasting sector.[2]
SBS assumed responsibility for ethnic broadcasting and is responsible for the ethnic radio stations 2EA in Sydney and 3EA, Melbourne.[3]

The appointment of the Chairman of the Service, Dr G.A. Sklovsky, and the three other members, Mr V.B. Cassisi, Mr N. Hutchinson and Professor M. Aroney was announced on 10 November 1977, the day the Broadcasting and Television Amendment Act 1977 received assent.[4] Broadcasting and Television (Special Broadcasting Service) Regulations made on 19 October 1978 authorised SBS to provide multilingual television services.[5]

SBS was incorporated on 23 December 1991 through the passage of the Special Broadcasting Service Act 1991.[6] The Board of the Corporation was to consist of the Managing Director, and no fewer than four nor more than eight non-executive Directors. The non-executive Directors are appointed by the Governor-General who also appoints one of these as Chairperson of the Board, and another as the Deputy Chairperson.
The Managing Director, however, is appointed by the Board. In all cases the periods of appointment are not to exceed five years, but each is eligible for reappointment.

The Board of Directors as at 30 June 1992 consisted of:
Chairperson:        Sir Nicholas Shehadie AC OBE
Managing Director:Brian Johns AO
Directors:Con George
          Hanifa Dean-Oswald
Andrew Briger AM
Charles Perkins AO BA

The SBS's four main areas are: the Television Division; the Radio Division; the Resources and Marketing Division; and the Policy and Coordination Branch.                

References:

1. The Broadcasting and Television Amendment Act 1977 was
   proclaimed to commence on 1 January 1978 (see Commonwealth
   Gazette, No. S.259, 21 Nov 1977, p. 1)
2. The Canberra Times, 14 Oct. 1977, p. 9
3. The Canberra Times, 14 Oct. 1977, p. 9; Commonwealth
   Government Directory 1979, p. 214
4. The Age, 11 Nov. 1977, p. 2
5. Commonwealth Statutory Rules 1978 No. 202, Broadcasting and
   Television (Special Broadcasting Service) Regulations;
   notified in the Commonwealth Gazette No. S. 223 26 Oct. 1978,
   p. 1 and made under the Broadcasting and Television Act 1942
6. SBS Annual Report 1991-1992

1978-1979: 160 Clarence Street, Sydney
1980-1987: 5 Elizabeth Street, Sydney
1987-1993: 4 Cliff Street, Milsons Point NSW
1993- : 14 Herbert Street, Artarmon NSW

Broadcasting Act 1942Commonwealth of Australia Acts No. 160 of 1977,
Broadcasting and Television Amendment Act 1977;
Commonwealth Statutory Rules 1978, No. 202, Broadcasting and Television (Special Broadcasting Service) RegulationsSpecial Broadcasting Service Act 1991Broadcasting Services Act 1992