The brigade was converted into the 1st Motor Brigade in March – April 1942. After it was converted into a motor brigade, the brigade was reinforced by the 16th Motor Regiment, which was transferred to Gympie from New South Wales. At this time, the brigade was tasked with carrying out reconnaissance and defensive duties in the Bundaberg–Maroochy River region, in the event of a Japanese invasion. This resulted in brigade headquarters being moved to Cooroy and then Gympie in April and May. The brigade was assigned to the 5th Division, then transferred to the direct command of I Corps before later being transferred to the 1st Motor Division. In July 1942, the brigade's area of responsibility was widened to include Maryborough as part of a reorganisation necessitated by the dispatch of the 7th Division to New Guinea to join the fighting along the Kokoda Track.