A militia formation, the brigade was formed at Broadmeadow, New South Wales, in January 1942, as part of the Newcastle Covering Force and then the 10th Division.

[1] The Newcastle Covering Force was converted on 15 April 1942 to the 10th Division, following a complete re-organisation of the higher command structures of the Australian Army.

[2] The following month, the 8th Garrison Battalion assumed all forward defensive positions, while the remainder of the brigade carried out training.

The 8th Garrison Battalion occupying the forward positions with a single company, while the remainder of the brigade deployed in depth, and continued its training with a view to assuming a more mobile defensive posture.

As the war situation clarified itself, it became clear to Army planners that some headquarters elements were no longer required.