Department of Labour and National Service
28 October 1940 – 19 December 1972
Renamed Department of Labour in 1972.
Department of State responsible for industrial relations, labour and manpower policy, the Commonwealth Employment Service, technical and trade training, and the registration of young men for national service.
Names over time
- Department of Labour and National Service1940–1972
- Department of Labour1972–1974
How it came into existence
Created on 28 October 1940 by the Administrative Arrangements Order made for the third Menzies ministry, with Harold Holt as the first Minister for Labour and National Service. It replaced the dormant Department of Industry, taking over its industrial relations and arbitration matters, and was given new wartime responsibilities for labour supply and technical training.
- Industrial relations
- Conciliation and arbitration matters
Changes during its life
- 1946Commonwealth Employment Service established within the department under the Re-establishment and Employment Act 1945, taking over the employment offices of the wartime Manpower Directorate.
- Manpower planning and control
- Reserved occupations
- Post-war reconstruction planning
- Public employment offices
- Operation of Commonwealth workers' and migrant hostels
The company took over the hostels from January 1952; that they came mainly from this department is not confirmed.
How it ended
Succeeded on 19 December 1972 by the Department of Labour, created by the Whitlam government after it had ended national service.
- Industrial relations
- Commonwealth Employment Service
- Employment and training
National service (conscription) functions ended with the abolition of the scheme in December 1972.
Main functions
- Industrial relations and conciliation and arbitration matters
- Wartime manpower control (Manpower Directorate, 1942–1946)
- Commonwealth Employment Service (from 1946)
- Technical and trade training
- Registration and call-up for national service (1951–1959 and 1964–1972)
- Industrial welfare and women's employment (Women's Bureau from 1963)
Bodies in this portfolio (5)
- Commonwealth Court of Conciliation and Arbitration 1904–1956
- Manpower Directorate 1942–1946
- Stevedoring Industry Commission 1942–1949
- Women's Employment Board 1942–1944
- Australian Stevedoring Industry Board 1949–1956
Lineage
Loading lineage…
Sources
Primary sources
- Administrative Arrangements Order of 16 November 1950 (sets it out)
- Administrative Arrangements Order of 19 December 1972 (took effect as it ended)