In a press release on 30 November 1978 the Prime Minister, Malcolm Fraser, claimed that there had been a major expansion of employment and training programs, and expansion of the Commonwealth Employment Service under his Government. The expansion, and the importance of the areas, compelled the division of the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations ?I? into the Department of Employment and Youth Affairs (CA 2746) and the Department of Industrial Relations
(CA 2748).
This division came into being on 5 December 1978 by Executive Council Minute No. 41 of 1978.
The Department of Employment and Youth Affairs became responsible for formulation and implementation of national manpower policies, including responsibility for the operational of Commonwealth
Employment Service and the Office of Youth Affairs.
The Commonwealth Employment Service functions were handled by the State Regional Office and the many CES offices. The Office of Youth Affairs functions were at Central Office level only.
On 7 May 1982 the Prime Minister, Malcolm Fraser, issued another press release explaining that the two Department of Employment and Youth Affairs, and Industrial Relations were split during the formative stages of the employment and training programs, and that these programs were not established.
This meant that the two departments could be brought together again under the title of Department of Employment and Industrial Relations ?II? (CA3255).
This amalgamation was done on 7 May 1982 by Executive Council Minute No. 10 of that date.
 

Historical agency address
  1978-by1979: Victoria Centre, 2 St George's Terrace, Perth
by1979-  1982: City Centre Tower, 44 St George's Terrace, Perth
Legislation administered
Creation: Executive Council Minute No. 41 of 5 December 1978
Abolition: Executive Council Minute No. 10 of 7 May 1982