The Australian National University was established under the
Australian National University Act, No. 22 of 1946. The Australian National University Act 1946 was assented to on 1st August, 1946. It was proclaimed to commence on 7 February, 1947, an earlier
proclamation purporting to proclaim the commencement of the Act on 7 August, 1946, having later been deemed to be ineffective, therefore, the creation date of the ANU has been taken as 7 February, 1947.  

The Interim Council was legally established on 12 February, 1947. An earlier notification was thought to be ineffective and, as a result, although the Interim Council was not legally established until 12 February, 1947, it had in fact been performing the functions permitted it under the Act since 7 August, 1946. Authority was given by the Governor-General for an Interim Council to act until a Council was set up, but it did not have the power to elect a Chancellor. In accordance with the Act, the following members of the Interim Council were appointed:
 
Professor R.C. Mills, 
J.D.G. Medley, 
Professor Eric Ashby, 
Professor K.H. Bailey, 
Dr H.C. Coombs, 
C.S. Daley, 
Sir Frederic Eggleston, 
Sir Robert Garran, 
H.J. Goodes, 
Sir David Rivett, and
Professor R.D. Wright. 

The first Registrar of Central Administration was Mr R.G. Osborne, who commenced duties in August 1947.
 
The governing authority of the University is the Council, and is made up of more than 30 members. This includes 2 members of the Senate and 2 members of the House of Representatives (both for terms not exceeding 3 years); not more than 8 persons appointed by the Governor- General for terms not exceeding 3 years; no more than 9 persons elected by convocation; the Vice-Chancellor; 2 persons appointed or elected to represent the students; 3 persons appointed or elected to represent the professional and teaching staff; and not more than 3 persons may be co-opted as additional members.
 
The Chancellors of the ANU have been:
 
     1948-May 1961: Viscount S. M. Bruce
 May 1961-Jul 1965: Sir John D. Cockroft
 Aug 1965-Jul 1969: Lord Florey
 Jul 1969-    1975: H.C. Coombs
     1976-May 1984: Sir John Crawford
 May 1984-   ?1994: Sir Richard Blackburn
11 Nov 1994 - 2004: Hon Peter Baume AO
     2005 -		: ?
 
The Vice-Chancellors of the ANU have been:
 
 May 1948-Feb 1953: Sir Douglas Copland
     1953-    1960: L.G. Melville 
     1960-Dec 1967: Sir Leonard Huxley 
     1968-    1973: Sir John Crawford 
     1973-    1975: R.M. Williams 
     1975-    1982: D.A. Low 
1982- 1987: Professor Peter Karmel
1987- 2001: ?
2001-		: Prof I. W. Chubb
 
As stated in the Australian National University Act 1946, the functions of the University are to:
 
 (a) to encourage, and provide facilities for, post-graduate    
     research and study, both generally and in relation to subjects
     of national importance to Australia;
 
 (b) to provide facilities for university education for persons who 
     elect to avail themselves of those facilities and are eligible 
     to do so; and
 
 (c) subject to the Statutes, to award and confer degrees and
     diplomas.
 
The ANU was established as a research and postgraduate institution. In 1960 it gained an undergraduate responsibility through amalgamation with the Canberra University College (Commonwealth of Australia Acts No. 3, 1960, Australian National University Act, 1960). The original ANU is now identified as the Institute of Advanced Studies, and comprises seven research schools - Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Pacific Studies, Physical Sciences and Social Sciences. The teaching departments have become The Faculties. There are five Faculties: Arts, Asian Studies, Economics, Law and Science. In addition, the Administration Section of the ANU comprises University Centres, University Library, Residential Halls and Affiliated Colleges, University Union and Sports Union, Student and Staff Associations and Convocation.
 
The Australian National University Act 1991 is presently administered by the Department of Employment, Education and Training (CA 5986).
Historical agency address
Australian National University, Acton ACT
Legislation administered
Creation: Commonwealth of Australia Acts No. 22 of 1946, Australian National University Act, 1946.