In January 1916 a conference, convened by the Prime Minister, of Ministers of State Agricultural Departments, of representatives of Universities, Associated Chambers of Manufacturers and of Commerce, mining and other industries and Scientific Government Departments met in Melbourne to discuss the development of primary and secondary industries and especially the application of science to industry. A committee of the Conference was appointed to formulate proposals to the government and a report was presented recommending the
establishment by Act of Parliament, of a Commonwealth Institute of Science and Industry. The Committee recommended that until the Institute was established, an Advisory Council be appointed to pave the way and to pursue the objectives proposed for the Institute.  On 16 March 1916, the Governor-General appointed the Advisory Council of Science and Industry by order in Council to carry out the following objects:
(i) The consideration and initiation of scientific researches in connexion with, or for the promotion of, primary and secondary industries in the Commonwealth;
(ii) The collection of industrial scientific information, and the formation of a bureau for its dissemination amongst those engaged in industry.

The Council consisted of 34 members representing the scientific and industrial interests in each State, including the six State Ministers for Agriculture (ex-officio members). The Prime Minister or, in his absence, the Vice-President of the Federal Executive Council was the Chairman. (Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, No. 35, 16 March 1916, p. 588).

The general control and direction of the work of the Council was in the hands of an Executive Committee of 13 members. In addition, a committee was established in each State consisting of the State representatives on the Advisory Council, together with associate members appointed on the nomination of the respective State Governments. The Chairman of each State committee was ex-officio a member of the Central Executive Committee. (Official Year Book of the Commonwealth of Australia, No. 9, 1916. p. 1135-1137).

By the middle of 1917 the Advisory Council had completed the work for which it was specifically appointed, but it was requested to continue in existence by the Government for a further period of no less than three years. As the Council had neither laboratories nor research staff of its own, it arranged for investigations to be carried out at various existing universities and institutions in Australia.

On 14 September 1920, the Institute of Science and Industry
Act 1920 received assent. The Act established the Commonwealth Institute of Science and Industry which continued the work started by the Advisory Committee.


Historical agency address
314 Albert Street, East Melbourne

Legislation administered
Order of the Governor-General in Council (? 16 March 1916)

Agency controlled unregistered

Advisory Council of Science and Industry, State Committee, New South
 Wales  
Advisory Council of Science and Industry, State Committee, Victoria
Advisory Council of Science and Industry, State Committee, Queensland
Advisory Council of Science and Industry, State Committee, South
 Australia
Advisory Council of Science and Industry, State Committee, Western
 Australia
Advisory Council of Science and Industry, State Committee, Tasmania