Referring to the creation of the CES in its White Paper of 1945, "Full Employment in Australia", the Government declared that an efficient Australia-wide employment service was an essential
instrument of a full employment policy.

The Commonwealth Employment Service was subsequently established under the provisions of the Re-establishment and Employment Act, 1945. The CES began its activities in 1946, with the establishment of District Employment Offices. Initially, these were concerned with the peace time resettlement of ex-servicemen and war workers into suitable employment. Section 48 of the Act set out the broad functions of the CES. These were:

"to provide services and facilities in relation to employment for the benefit of persons seeking to become employed, to change
employment or to engage labour, to provide facilities to assist in bringing about and maintaining a high and stable level of employment throughout the Commonwealth".

By 1976 it had become apparent that the CES lacked the organisation and resources to cope effectively with the growing demands being placed upon it. In October 1976, the Commonwealth Government
commissioned Mr. J.D. Norgard to undertake the first comprehensive review of the CES in its thirty year history.

A primary aim of the Review was to examine the objectives and functions of the CES in the light of the significantly changed environment in which it was operating and the current and
prospective demands for it's services. In November, 1977, the Government indicated its intention to implement a number of the Norgard Report's major recommendations.

The then Minister, in announcing the Government's decision,
highlighted these points:

- the establishment of a clearly identifiable, unified organisation 
  for the CES
- introduction of the concept of CES Zone Offices
- undertaking of a substantial intensification of CES staff training 
- acceptance of the objective of CES offices being located in good 
  quality, ground floor, shop-front accommodation in central
  business districts
- investigation of the introduction of a computerised system for the
  CES.

The Commonwealth Employment Service Act, 1978, established the CES as a separate and identifiable organisation within the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations. Subsequently, in December 1978, the CES became part of the newly established Department of Employment and Youth Affairs.

Section 6 of the Act sets out the functions of the CES:

a) to assist persons seeking employment or a change of employment 
b) to assist employers wishing to fill vacancies
c) to promote and implement approved manpower programs
d) to register persons who are unemployed and to assist those persons
   in seeking employment
e) to publish information in respect of the labour market
f) to collect statistics and other information relating to the labour
   market.

The first Commonwealth Employment Service Office, as such, in South Australia was operational in 1947. This office also served as the National Service Office. From 1948 the offices were known as
District Employment Offices and from 1974 they became known as Employment Offices. From 1982 they were also referred to as Job Centres/Employment Offices.
Regional offices in South Australia are located throughout the metropolitan area and country centres. Agents for the CES are also located in smaller country centres.

The Commonwealth Employment Service Office at Murray Bridge was established in 1948 as a District Employment Office in Bridge Street, where it operated until 1951. From 1972 to 1974 an agent took over the functions. This position was held by J.W.P. Whitehead, and the Office operated from the District Council Office until 1973 when F. Parish became the agent at 49 Bridge Street. 

In 1974 R.E. Mason assumed the responsibility of agent at 2a Mannum Road. In 1975 the Office became a fully functional Employment Office again at 49a Bridge Street. The Office has subsequently been relocated twice since then Subject to further research .


Source

1. Commonwealth Employment Service, Annual Report, 1978-79
Historical agency address
1948-1951: Bridge Street, Murray Bridge SA
1972-1974: Agent only 
1975-1981: 49a Bridge Street, Murray Bridge SA
1981-    : Fifth Street, Murray Bridge SA
1982-    : 8 Bridge Street, Murray Bridge SA
Legislation administered
Creation: Commonwealth of Australia Acts No. 102 of 1978, Commonwealth Employment Service Act