Department name changes over time
See how the Department of Education’s name and duties have changed from 1873 to today. Since it began, the Victorian Department of Education has had eight different names. Each new name usually came with changes to its duties.
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1873 to 1985: Education Department
For the first 112 years, the department used the name Education Department. The minister’s title was Minister of Public Instruction. So, people often referred to the department as the Department of Public Instruction.
Changes during this time
- 1910 – School committees replaced boards of advice.
- 1910 – The department given the power to create high schools and technical schools.
- 1944 – School health and dental care moved to the Department of Health.
- 1949 – The Minister of Public Instruction changed to the Minister of Education.
- 1971 – School attendance officers (truancy officers) moved to the Social Welfare Department.
- 1976 – Day training centres moved from Health to Education.
- 1981 – TAFE responsibilities moved to the TAFE Board.
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1985 to 1992: Ministry of Education and Training
Changes during this time
- 1985 – More control given to regional offices.
- 1987 – School attendance moved from the Department of Community Services to the ministry.
- 1987 – Industrial and apprenticeship training became part of the department.
- 1990 – Most school bus services went to the Ministry of Transport.
- 1991 – Preschool and child care programs went to the Department of Community Services.
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1992 to 1999: Department of Education
Changes during this time
- The department was split into two main areas: School Education and Training/Further Education.
- 1992 – Employment programs went to the Department of Business and Employment.
- More than 350 government schools closed during this time.
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1999 to 2002: Department of Education, Employment and Training
Changes during this time
- Included schools, TAFE, higher education, adult and community education, youth affairs and employment.
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2002 to 2006: Department of Education and Training
Changes during this time
- 2002 – Employment went to the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development.
- 2002 – Youth affairs went to the Department for Victorian Communities.
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2006 to 2007: Department of Education
Changes during this time
- 2006 – Higher education and training moved to the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development.
- 2006 – Adult and community education moved to the Department for Victorian Communities.
-
2007 to 2014 – Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
Changes during this time
- 2007 – Early childhood services came from the Department of Human Services.
- 2010 – Skills Victoria (higher education and training) joined the department.
- 2010 – Adult and community education came in from the Department of Planning and Community Development.
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2015 to 2022: Department of Education and Training
Changes during this time
- Name changed on 1 January 2015.
- The department looked after:
- government schools
- school regulation
- teacher standards
- education planning.
-
2023 to now: Department of Education
Changes during this time
- The current department started on 1 January 2023.
- Higher education and TAFE services moved to the new Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR).
Updated 27 March 2026
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