Department of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs (1975–1987)

The department was announced in December 1975, resulting from the abolition of the previous Department of Labor and Immigration.^[3] The creation of the department was an election commitment that Malcolm Fraser said indicated the importance placed by the Fraser government on Australia's immigration program and the Coalition's concern that issues affecting migrants and their families should receive close and sympathetic attention.^[3]

Information about the department's functions and government funding allocation could be found in the Administrative Arrangements Orders, the annual Portfolio Budget Statements and in the department's annual reports.

According to the Administrative Arrangements Order made on 22 December 1975 (reproduced by the National Archives), the department dealt with:^[1]

• Migration
• Naturalization and aliens

The department was an Australian Public Service department, staffed by officials who were responsible to the Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs.^[1]

During the department's existence, the following people were appointed as Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs.^[4]