Health Commission of Victoria

Full description

In 1978, following the proclamation of the Health Commission Act 1977 (No.9023), the Health Commission of Victoria was established. This occurred in accordance with the recommendations of the Committee of Inquiry into Hospital and Health Services in Victoria, whose report had been presented to the Minister of Health in July 1975.

The establishment of the Health Commission represented a major re-organisation of health services in Victoria and for the first time responsibility for the central administration of health services rested with a single agency. The Health Commission assumed responsibility for all functions previously administered by the Department of Health I (VA 695), the Mental Health Authority (VA 692), the Commission of Public Health (VA 694) and the Hospitals and Charities Commission (VA 693).

Municipalities (VRG 12) continued to have a significant role in the provision of health services.

The responsibilities of the Health Commission were initially administered by three divisions: Public Health Division, Hospitals Division and Mental Health Division. In 1981 a Mental Retardation Division was established assuming responsibility for programmes which had previously been the responsibility of the Mental Health Division.

In 1985 major changes in the administration and provision of health services were given effect by a series of Administrative Arrangement Orders, (numbers 30, 31, 36, 37, 41 and 42), amendments to the Public Service Act 1974 and the Health Amendment Act 1985 (No.10262). Many services which had been traditionally regarded as health services were redefined as community services and responsibility for these functions was transferred to the Department of Community Services (VA 2633).

The Department of Health II (commonly known as the Health Department) (VA 2695) was established by Order of the Governor in Council under the Public Service Act 1974 on 26 August 1985. The powers and responsibilities of the Health Commission of Victoria and its Chairman were vested in the
Department of Health II and its Chief General Manager.

NOTE: For further information about the administration of health services in Victoria see VRG 39 Health.

Location of Records

There are very few records of the Health Commission of Victoria in the custody of the Public Record Office. Researchers are advised to consult the list below and the List of Holdings 2nd edition, 1985, sections 3.11.1 and 3.11.2. As municipal councils had a significant role in the administration of public health, see also VRG 12 Municipalities and the List of Holdings section 10.0.0. For records of individual health and welfare agencies see VRG 8 and the List of Holdings section 8.0.0.