The Department of Administration was established in October of 1971 with the amalgamation of the Department of Treasury (excepting the functions concerning estimates and forecasts) with the general administrative functions of the Department of the Territorial Secretary and the administrative functions of the Department of Personnel. The Department of Administration provided support services to other government departments, managed the Consolidated Revenue Fund, collected all Territorial revenues and performed related treasury activities.
For most of its existence the Department consisted of four divisions:
- The Systems and Computer Services division provided data processing services and development of computer systems.
- The Supply Services division, initially known as Materiel Management, handled purchasing, warehousing and inventory, transportation including sealift and aircraft charters, and management of the supply of petroleum products.
- The Personnel Services division, initially known as Personnel Administration, carried on the functions which were transferred from the Department of Personnel, including staffing, pay and benefits, staff training, and administration of staff housing.
- The Finance and Office Services division was formed in 1972 by merging the Administrative Services division, which originated in the Department of the Territorial Secretary, with the Financial Operations division, which came from the Department of Treasury. This division provided accounting and other financial services, records management, and communications services.
A reorganization of the government in 1975 resulted in the responsibilities of the Department of Administration being divided between several other departments, primarily the Department of Personnel and the Department of Finance.