The Department was an Australian Public Service department, staffed by officials who were responsible to the Minister for Education, initially Kim Edward Beazley (until June 1975), then Margaret Guilfoyle as a caretaker Minister for the month leading up to the December 1975 election (after the 11 November 1975 Dismissal in which the Governor-General appointed Leader of the Opposition, Malcolm Fraser, as caretaker Prime Minister and he in turn appointed caretaker Ministers). Subsequent ministers were John Carrick (1975‑1979), Wal Fife (1979‑1982) and finally Peter Baume (1982‑1983).