Information about the department's functions and government funding allocation could be found in the Administrative Arrangements Orders, the annual Portfolio Budget Statements and in the department's annual reports.
The functions of the department at first included:[1] On 11 June 1940, the Department of Munitions was created in an effort to speed up munitions production during World War II, after it became apparent that Britain would not be able to supply Australia's armed forces with arms and ammunition throughout what was shaping up to be a long and hard war.
The department was created on 11 June 1940, only about a week after the end of the evacuation of Dunkirk, where British forces were forced to leave Europe without most of their vehicles, armour and artillery.
The department's main responsibility was the oversight of increased production of defence components.
[2] The department was a Commonwealth Public Service department, staffed by officials who were responsible to the Minister for Supply and Development.