The Corporate Affairs Department was created on the 1 February 1985 following the abolition of the Corporate Affairs Office. The Department was abolished on 3 April 1991, following the passing of federal legislation relating to uniform securities administration. An Office of State Corporate Affairs was established as a sub-department within Crown Law Department on the same day. The Australian Securities Commission became responsible for administering and policing the Companies Code in Western Australia.

Under legislation passed in 1975, the Companies Registration Office became the Corporate Affairs Office and the Registrar of Companies became a Commissioner. The Office remained a sub-department of Crown Law Department until 1983 when it became a separate agency. The Office continued as a separate agency until 1985 when it became the Corporate Affairs Department.