The 1st Motor Brigade was a formation of the Australian Army during the interwar years and the early part of World War II.

During World War II, the brigade was mobilized for defensive duties in December 1941, and assumed positions north of Brisbane to defend against a possible invasion.

[4] Plans drawn up before the war assigned the brigade a flank protection role to the north and south of Brisbane in the event of an invasion.

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.

[8] In July 1942, the brigade's area of responsibility was widened to include Maryborough as part of a reorganization necessitated by the dispatch of the 7th Division to New Guinea to join the fighting along the Kokoda Track.