This study examines the establishment of the national curriculum centre and the historical, political, social and educational factors which contributed to the decision of the Minister for Education on the recommendation of the Australian Education Council, to establish such a centre. This study looks at the historical background which resulted in states' responsibility for education, at the Australian Constitution which avoids any mention of education but which allows Commonwealth support for education through grants to the States. It briefly traces the development of an increasing Commonwealth involvement in education, notes the very significant inquiries at national level into areas of need resulting in reports such as the Murray, Martin, Karmel and Kangan recommending Commonwealth funding for specific areas of education. This study supports the view that the Curriculum Development Centre, established under a 1975 Act of Parliament by that name, is a unique step in the development of a national view of education and an example of a cooperative model of development of curriculum at a national level. The role of the Australian Education Council, the Commonwealth Department of Education, the Australian Council for Educational Research and two major Unesco conferences are examined as significant influences. This study identifies other influences, political, social, educational and financial which were significant in the decision by the Government of the day to establish a national curriculum centre, and the persons and institutions which influenced that decision, and worked to achieve its establishment. The process of change is examined and the rational, reeducative and power coercive strategies used by those seeking to effect a change in school curriculum in Australia and to establish a national centre for curriculum development, are identified.