The Department of Education and Training (DET) was created in March 2002 following the renaming of the Department of Education, Employment and Training (DEET; VA 4828) under the Public Sector Management and Employment Act 1998 (Victorian Government Gazette S 41). DET assumed responsibility for all functions associated with DEET except employment, which was transferred to the newly created Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development (VA 4564).

At its creation, DET reported to the Minister for Education and Training, the Minister for Education Services and the Minister for Youth Affairs. Its primary functions were primary and secondary education; vocational training and TAFE; higher education; adult, community and further education; and youth affairs.

DET was organised into three major divisions: the Office of School Education, the Office for Youth and the Office of Training and Tertiary Education. The Office of School Education 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 for Youth was responsible for providing policy advice and programs related to youth. It was also responsible for developing youth programs and raising awareness of youth issues.

The Office of Training and Tertiary Education was responsible for the implementation of Government policy relating to vocational training and TAFE; adult, community and further education; and higher education.

In December 2002, following the re-election of the Bracks Government, the Office for Youth was transferred to the newly created Department for Victorian Communities (DVC; VA 4562), and a Minister for Employment and Youth Affairs appointed (Victorian Government Gazette S 231).

Following the 2002 election, the Department reported to the Minister for Education and Training and the Minister for Education Services. With the exception of youth affairs being transferred to DVC, its functions remained unchanged, although administration of some Acts were transferred between the Minister for Education and Training and the Minister foe Education Services.

DET was abolished in December 2006 following the re-election of the Bracks Government. Under the Public Administration Act 2004, it was renamed the Department of Education (VA 4830; Victorian Government Gazette S 317. Under Administrative Orders No 192, many of the Acts formerly assigned to DET were assigned to the Department of Education, particularly those relating to school education and regulation. Acts associated with higher education and training were assigned to the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development (DIIRD; VA 4564). The Adult, Community and Further Education Act 1991 was assigned to DVC (VA 4562).

In addition, the Minister for Education and Training was renamed the Minister for Education and the Minister for Education Services became the Minister for Skills, Education Services and Employment (Victorian Government Gazette S 315).