Department of Education, Employment and Training

Full description

The Department of Education, Employment and Training (DEET) was created in October 1999 following the election of the Bracks Government, under the Public Sector Management and Employment Act 1998 (Victorian Government Gazette S 158). Under Administrative Arrangements Order No. 160, the Department assumed responsibility for all Acts of the former Department of Education (VA 3098) and the Employment Agents Act 1983 from the Department of State Development (VA 3973). An Office for Youth was also established within DEET.

The functions carried out by DEET were primary and secondary education; vocational training and TAFE; higher education; adult, community and further education; youth affairs; and employment. DEET reported to the Minister for Education, Minister for Post Compulsory Education, Training and Employment and the Minister for Youth Affairs.

DEET was divided into three offices: the Office of Post Compulsory Education, Training and Employment, the Office of Schools and the Office of the Secretary. The Office of Post Compulsory Education, Training and Employment was responsible for the administration of all TAFE and apprenticeship programs, adult, community and further education and employment programs including youth employment programs, community employment programs and multicultural education services.

The Office of Schools was responsible for the delivery of primary and secondary school education for Victorian students. This included the compulsory years (Prep-10) and administration of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE).

The Office of the Secretary, while largely an administrative unit, also included the Office for Youth and a Higher Education division. Many of the functions from this Office were transferred from the Department of Human Services (VA 3970) in 1999. The Higher Education division was responsible for the coordination, planning and monitoring of higher education within Victoria. It also managed processes for the accreditation and approval of higher education programs by private providers.

In February 2002, the portfolios of Education and Post Compulsory Education, Training and Employment were abolished and replaced with the portfolios of Education and Training and Education Services. (Victorian Government Gazette S 28).

DEET was abolished in March 2002 under the Public Sector Management and Employment Act 1998. All functions assigned to DEET were transferred to the newly created Department of Education and Training (DET; VA 4829) except employment, which was transferred to the newly created Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development (VA 4564), under Administrative Arrangements Order No. 177.