The WA Government has today announced targeted reforms to the public sector, with the creation of a new department and two major existing agencies tasked with delivering the state’s health, transport and housing infrastructure needs.
Premier Roger Cook said the reforms will also create centres of building excellence within the WA public sector, which will support a better approach to delivering new hospital capacity and houses for WA.
He confirmed all reforms will take effect from 1 July 2025, with full implementation to be achieved by 31December 2025. Nine out of the current 25 government departments will be impacted by the reforms, with a net gain of one department.
“Today’s reforms are about creating a Team WA approach at all levels of government, so that we can relentlessly pursue the priorities of the WA community – creating jobs, building capacity in our hospitals and building more houses,” said Mr Cook.
“These reforms will ensure we continue to create jobs in globally uncertain times, by backing our resources sector, diversifying our economy for the future and making more things here.
“The reforms also put energy policy front and centre, recognising how important affordable, secure and lower carbon energy is to maintaining WA’s status as the fastest-growing economy in the nation.
“My government values the public sector and each and every worker it employs. We will work closely with the public sector leadership and unions as we implement these reforms over the course of this year.”
The reforms include:
The Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation will become the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification (DEED), with Energy Policy WA to come into this jobs-focused agency.
DEED will continue to have stewardship of Western Australia’s system of State Agreements, major resources developments and network of Invest and Trade offices.
A new Office of Defence Industries will be established within the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC), to make the most of the opportunities that AUKUS presents.
The central role of DPC will be further enhanced by the Coordinator General.
DPC will become home to a new Office of Early Childhood, while leadership on Aboriginal Affairs policy will also be consolidated within DPC.
Tourism will now be housed in the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport, providing a single agency, focused on the creation of high-quality events and content.
The Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety will be split into two agencies. The new Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration will administer and drive the future development of the resources industry, with the Department of Local Government, Commerce, Industry Regulation and Safety providing a more focused contact point for other regulatory functions.
Reforms focused on building infrastructure better include:
The Department of Transport will become the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure, with major building capacity from across government becoming consolidated within a new Office of Major Infrastructure Delivery (OMID).
OMID will build Westport and the State’s major transport infrastructure projects.
Reporting also to the Health Infrastructure Minister, OMID will also build hospitals, including the new Women’s and Babies Hospital, the major upgrades at Osborne Park Hospital and Midland Hospital, the significant emergency department upgrade at Royal Perth, as well as the many hospital upgrades underway or planned for regional WA.
OMID will create a centre of construction and contract management expertise to oversee delivery across the government’s major infrastructure program.
The Department of Housing and Works will take responsibility for the building, maintenance and management of social housing stock from the Department of Communities, as well as the building and maintenance of other small infrastructure projects by government, such as schools and police stations from the Department of Finance.
Other existing Department of Finance functions, such as State Revenue and Procurement Policy, will transfer to the Department of Treasury and Finance.
“The reforms announced today will create centres of excellence in construction and contract management to oversee our infrastructure and housing programs,” said Treasurer, Rita Saffioti.
“They will be exciting places to work, with a diverse portfolio of great projects – which will help us retain excellence in delivery skills across the public sector.
“I want to acknowledge our public sector staff who provide an important contribution and service to the State day-in-day-out. These reforms will bolster the sector’s efforts in delivering on the WA Government’s priorities to continue to benefit our communities in the suburbs and the regions.”
WA Government Public Sector Reforms effective 1 July 2025
| Name | Previous name | Responsibilities moved elsewhere | Responsibilities added |
| Department of Energy and Economic Diversification | Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation | Defence including Defence West, Defence Industries and VeteransTourism WA and tourism investment developmentCoordinator General | Energy Policy WA |
| Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport | Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries | Local GovernmentRacing, Gaming and Liquor including support for Gaming and Wagering Commission | Tourism WA and tourism investment development |
| Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration | Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety | Energy Policy WA | None |
| Department of Local Government, Commerce, Industry Regulation and Safety | Local Government Racing, Gaming and Liquor including support for Gaming and Wagering Commission | ||
| Department of the Premier and Cabinet | No change | None | Defence including Defence West, Defence Industries and VeteransCoordinator GeneralOffice of Early Childhood (new)Strengthened statewide leadership of Aboriginal Affairs |
A better way to build
| Name | Previous name | Responsibilities moved elsewhere | Responsibilities added |
| Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure | Department of Transport | None | Office of Major Infrastructure Delivery as a sub-department with:Office of Major Transport Infrastructure DeliveryMajor ProjectsOffice of Major Health Infrastructure DeliveryWestportMETRONET |
| Department of Health | No change | Office of Major Health Infrastructure Delivery | None |
| Department of Housing and Works | Department of Finance | State RevenueProcurement policyMajor Projects | Housing AuthoritySocial housing works and tenancy managementGovernment Regional Officer Housing |
| Department of Communities | No change | Housing AuthoritySocial housing works and tenancy managementGovernment Regional Officer Housing | None |
| Department of Treasury and Finance | Department of Treasury | None | State RevenueProcurement policyFinancial GTE Team for consolidated oversight of:Insurance Commission of WAGovernment Employees Superannuation BoardWestern Australian Treasury CorporationKeystart |
Departments not affected
- Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
- Department of Education
- Department of Fire and Emergency Services
- Department of Justice
- Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage
- Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
- Department of the Registrar Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission
- Department of Training and Workforce Development
- Department of Water and Environmental Regulation
- Mental Health Commission
- Office of the Auditor General
- Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
- Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services
- Public Sector Commission
- Western Australia Police
- Western Australian Electoral Commission
