1978–79 was the fourth season that Division 1 operated as the second tier of ice hockey in Sweden, below the top-flight Elitserien (now the Swedish Hockey League).
Division 1 was divided into four starting groups, based on geography.
The top four teams in the group would continue to the playoffs to determine which clubs would participate in the qualifier for promotion to Elitserien.
The bottom two teams in each group were relegated to Division 2 for the 1979–80 season.