The ministry covered the period from 2 April 2003, when Carr led Labor to victory at the 2003 state election, until 3 August 2005, when Carr resigned as Leader of the Labor Party in New South Wales and hence, as Premier.

[1][2] The first arrangement covered the period from 2 April 2003 until 3 May 2004, when there was a minor reconfiguration of the ministry.

[a][b] The second arrangement covered the period from 3 May 2004, inclusive of minor changes in July [c] and August,[d] until 21 January 2005, when Michael Egan resigned from the ministry, resulting in a major reconfiguration of the ministry.

[e][f][g][h][i][j][k][l][m] The third arrangement covered the period from 21 January 2005, when Michael Egan resigned from the ministry, and includes a minor reconfiguration on 1 February 2005, until 3 August 2005 when the ministry was dissolved following the resignations of both Bob Carr and his deputy, Andrew Refshauge.

Craig Knowles, once considered a strong candidate to succeed Carr as premier, resigned from the ministry the same day[5][6] and resigned from parliament a few days later.