Department of Employment (Australia)


The Australian Department of Employment was a department of the Government of Australia charged with the responsibility for national policies and programs that help Australians find and keep employment and work in safe, fair and productive workplaces. On 20 December 2017 the department was dissolved and its functions assumed by the newly formed Department of Jobs and Small Business.
The head of the department was the Secretary of the Department of Employment, Kerri Hartland, who reported to the Minister for Employment, Senator the Hon. Michaelia Cash.

History

The department was formed by way of an Administrative Arrangements Order issued on 18 September 2013 and replaced the functions previously performed by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. DEEWR was formed in 2007 and absorbed the former Department of Education, Science and Training and the former Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.

Preceding departments

The functions of the department were broadly classified into the following matters: