Department of Trade (1983–1987)

The Department of Trade was an Australian government department that existed between March 1983 and July 1987. It was the second so-named Australian government department.

History
The department was dissolved in July 1987 as part of a large overhaul of the Public Service that reduced the number of departments from 28 to 17.

Scope
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.

At the department's creation it was responsible for:
 * Trade and Commerce with other countries in particular-
 * Bilateral and Multilateral trade policy.
 * Trade promotion and services.
 * Trade agreements.
 * Export services.

Structure
The department was a Commonwealth Public Service department, staffed by officials who were responsible to the Minister for Trade.