The Department of Tourism was created on 27 December 1991 as a result of administrative change which saw the abolition of the Department of the Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and Territories (CA 5984).   
The Administrative Arrangements Order of 27 December 1991
(Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, No. S370, 27 December 1991) stated that the Department would deal with the following matters:
 
 Tourism, including the tourist industry
 International expositions and support for international conferences
  and special events.
 
The Department has responsibility for administering the following Acts:
 
 Australian Tourist Commission Act 1987
 Australian Tourist Commission (Transitional Provisions) Act 1987.  

In the Administrative Arrangements Order of 24 March 1993 (Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, No. S91, 24 March 1993) the matters dealt with by the Department were reworded to read:
 
 Tourism, including the tourist industry and participation in  
  international expositions.
 
In the same Administrative Arrangements Order the Department was described as being part of the Industry, Technology and Regional Development portfolio but in the Amending Administrative Arrangements Order of 1 April 1993 (Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, No. GN14, 14 April 1993) this reference was deleted.
 
The Administrative Arrangements Order of 1 June 1994 (Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, No. S199, 6 June 1994) confirmed the fact that the Department is now a Department of State in its right.

The Department was abolished on 11 March 1996 pursuant to the Administrative Arrangements Order of that date. Its functions were passed to the new Department of Industry, Science and Tourism (CA 8247).
 
Ministers for the Department have been:
 
27 Dec 1991 - 24 Mar 1993  : Hon Alan Griffiths
24 Mar 1993 - 11 Mar 1996  : Hon Michael Lee
 
Secretaries to the Department have been:
 
27 Dec 1991 - 14 Jun 1993  : Dr G L Miller
14 Jun 1993 - 11 Mar 1996  : Ms H Williams

Sources

Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, No. S370, 27 December 1991
Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, No. S93, 11 March 1996
 

Historical agency address
Burns Memorial Building, 28 National Circuit, Forrest, ACT
Legislation administered
Creation: Executive Council Minute No. 12 (Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No. S370, 27 December 1991)
Abolition: Notified in Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No. S93, 11 March 1996