Following the formation of the Burke administration in February 1983, the Premier's Department was restructured and retitled as the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. The title of the Permanent Head of the Department was upgraded from Under Secretary to Director General. The Department comprised three divisions: Policy; Administrative Services, and; Ceremonial and Hospitality. Each division was headed by an Executive Director who reported to the Deputy Director General and the Director General.

As well as providing executive and administrative support to the Premier and the Cabinet, the Department was responsible for the Government Media Office and the Agent General's Office in London. The Department was also responsible for Royal and other Commissions of Inquiry and for various advisory bodies such as the Equal Opportunity Commission and the Women's Advisory Council. In September 1987 the Department was renamed the Ministry of the Premier and Cabinet.