On 22 December 1975 the Department of Science and Consumer Affairs (CA 1888) was re-named the Department of Science [II], as the consumer affairs functions were transferred to the new Department of Business and Consumer Affairs (CA 1951). On the same date, the responsibility for mineral and solar energy research was transferred from the abolished Department of Minerals and Energy (CA 1482) to the newly created Department of Science [II].
 
The functions of the Department at its creation in December 1975 were:  

 Science and technology, including research, support of research and 
  support of civil space programs
 Meteorology
 Ionospheric Prediction Service
 Analytical laboratory service
 Weights and measures
 
The Acts controlled by the Minister for Science as at December 1975 were:-
 
 Anglo-Australian Telescope Agreement Act 1970
 Antarctic Treaty Act 1960
 Australian Antartic Territory Acceptance Act 1933
 Australian Antartic Territory Act 1954
 Australian Institute of Marine Science Act 1972
 Heard Island and McDonald Islands Act 1953
 Meteorology Act 1955
 Metric Conversion Act 1970
 Mount Stromlo Observatory Act 1956
 Science and Industry Endowment Act 1926
 Science and Industry Research Act 1949
 States Grants (Research) Act 1965
 Weights and Measures (National Standards) Act 1960
 (Executive Minute No PSB 1975/61, (Australian Government Gazette, 
   No 262, 22 December 1975, pp 2, 15, 22)
 
On 5 October 1976 the Prime Minister tabled in the House a list of relocations of functions, including the transfer of the Government Paint Committee from the Department of Defence [III] to the Department of Science [II].
 
By the Administrative Arrangements Order of 20 December 1977
(Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, No S291, 20 December 1977, p 14) administration of the Australian Science and Technology Council was transferred from the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (CA 1401) to the Department of Science [II].
 
By the Administrative Arrangements Order of 23 February 1978
(Executive Minute No 13, Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, No S36, 23 February 1978, (b) (v-vi)), responsibility for the administration of the Australian Science and Technology Council was returned to the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (CA 1401).
 
By the Administrative Arrangements Order of 5 December 1978 (Executive Minute No 41, Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, No S269, 5 December 1978) the functions of the Department were extended to include administration of environment and conservation - functions transferred from the Department of Environment, Housing and Community Development (CA 1954), which was abolished at the same time. Accordingly, the department was re-named as the Department of Science and the Environment (CA 2749) (Executive Minute No PSB 1978/56, Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, No S267, 5 December 1978). In a press release on 30 November 1978 the Prime Minister explained that this relocation of functions would enable the government's scientists and advisers on the environment to work more closely together to give effect to the government's commitment to preserving and enhancing Australia's environment. For agencies controlled, see inventory of agencies.  

Minister for the Department of Science [II] was:
 
22 Oct 1975 -  5 Dec 1978  : Hon James Joseph Webster (CP 217)  

Secretaries to the Department were:
 
22 Oct 1975 -  7 Oct 1977  : Sir Hugh Ennor
 7 Oct 1977 - 30 Nov 1978  : Dr J L Farrands
 

Historical agency address
Scarborough House, Phillip ACT
Legislation administered
Creation: Executive Council Meeting No. 119, (PSB Minute No. PSB 1975/58) of 22 Dec. 1975 (Australian Government Gazette No. S.262, 22 Dec. 1975)
Abolition: Executive Council Minute No. PSB 1978/56 (Commonwealth of Australia No. 267 of 5 Dec. 1978)