Department of External Affairs (1901–1916) explained

Agency Name:	Department of External Affairs
Formed:	1 January 1901
Dissolved:	14 November 1916
Superseding:	Department of Home and Territories
Type:	Department
Jurisdiction:	Commonwealth of Australia
Chief1 Name:	Atlee Hunt
Chief1 Position:	Secretary

The Department of External Affairs was an Australian government department that existed between January 1901 and November 1916. It was one of seven Departments of State to be established at federation.

Scope

The first Administrative Arrangements Order, issued 1901, outlined the functions of the Department:

• Fisheries - extraterritorial
• Naturalisation and aliens
• Immigration and emigration
• Influx of criminals
• External affairs
• Pacific Islands
• High Commissioner
• Communications with States
• Governor-General and Executive Council offices
• Officers of Parliament

Structure

The Department was a Commonwealth Public Service department, staffed by officials who were responsible to the Minister for External Affairs. The Prime Minister's Office was attached to the Department of External Affairs until 1909.

The Secretary of the Department was Atlee Hunt.