The first functions of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries began in 1855 when a
sheep scab inspector began work in the New South Wales colony of
Moreton Bay. After Queensland's
Separation, livestock diseases were addressed through regulations administered by the Stock Branch in the Queensland Colonial Secretary's Office. The Stock Branch was established by the Queensland chief inspector of stock
Patrick Robertson Gordon. The department has been formerly known by various title, with various legislative responsibilities. Its previous names have been: • Department of Agriculture (17 June 1887 – 1 January 1904) • Department of Agriculture and Stock (1 January 1904 – 26 September 1963) • Department of Primary Industries (26 September 1963 – 26 February 1996) • Department of Primary Industries, Fisheries and Forestry (26 February 1996 – 29 June 1998) • Department of Primary Industries (29 June 1998 – 12 February 2004) • Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (12 February 2004 – 25 March 2009) • Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (25 March 2009 – 3 April 2012) • Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (3 April 2012 – 16 February 2015) • Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (16 February 2015 – 1 November 2024) ==Biosecurity==