The Department is looking to establish a pool of experienced Senior Planners (SCL3). This pool will be used to fill vacancies across the agency for the next 24 months.

Shape the future of Western Australia. We're seeking experienced and proactive Senior Planners with a passion for making a meaningful contribution to planning and development of our state and its communities. If you bring a deep understanding of the WA planning system, proven experience in leading significant and complex projects, and the ability to critically analyse and synthesise information to deliver balanced, strategic recommendations—this is your opportunity to make an impact. Join the Department where your highly developed communication skills and forward-thinking mindset will help drive bold, sustainable outcomes for the people of WA.

Immediate vacancies exist within Land Use Planning and Reform Design and State Assessment. An overview of each division, is provided below.

Land Use Planning

The Senior Planner is responsible for strategic and statutory land use planning, providing expert advice and recommendations to the Western Australian Planning Commission and the Minister. As the Senior Planner, you will assist with complex and significant planning matters such as local and regional planning schemes and strategies, local and region schemes and amendments, structure plans, development applications, subdivisions, development contributions plans and planning policy. The Senior Planner builds strong partnerships with stakeholders and works towards balanced and forward-thinking planning outcomes.

Reform Design and State Assessment

The Senior Planner assists with the delivery of Department and State government strategic planning priorities to create a contemporary and strategic planning system for Western Australia, working with variety of stakeholders. As the Senior Planner, you will assist with the investigation and reporting on a wide range of complex planning matters, undertake planning projects, contribute to policy change and review existing strategies to ensure they remain contemporary and fit for purpose.

This is a pool recruitment process for permanent full-time, permanent part-time, fixed term full-time and fixed term part-time opportunities. This pool may be used to fill future similar permanent or fixed term positions, that may arise within the Department and across the Department’s presence (in Perth and the broader regional areas of Western Australia) in the next 24 months from the initial date of appointment.

The Perth office is located in Perth CBD in a convenient location, above the Perth Underground rail; close to the Wellington Street Bus Station and City CAT services.

To be successful for this position, you need to demonstrate: 

• A tertiary qualification in Urban and Regional Planning and/or Development or an approved equivalent.
• Substantial experience and demonstrated understanding of the planning system, practices, legislation and policy.
• Experience in managing and assessing significant or complex projects and/or leading policy development and review, with the ability to work independently.
• Demonstrated ability to critically analyse and synthesise complex and/or competing information to make balanced recommendations.
• Highly developed written and oral communications, presentation and interpersonal skills, including experience communicating with a wide range of stakeholders in a variety of mediums and in multidisciplinary environments.
• Demonstrate the behaviours within the leadership context as outlined below.

Core leadership behaviours outlined in Leadership Expectations are applicable to this role and should be demonstrated in the context of Personal Leadership. The Personal Leadership context is about the work of individuals not yet in traditional leadership positions who make a direct and immediate difference to the agency. The expected behaviours may be assessed during the recruitment and selection process.

About us

For more information on what we do, our recruitment process, and why working at the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage is an attractive proposition, please visit the Department page on the DPLH website.

We have a comprehensive Applicant Information Pack to provide information about us, the values of the department and practical guidance on the process for you.

Benefits of Working at DPLH

DPLH offers a broad range of benefits including but not limited to:

• Access to flexible working arrangements including working from home or alternate work locations for enhanced work life balance.
• 12% superannuation, full employer contribution and salary packaging options.
• Comprehensive learning and professional development opportunities.
• 4 weeks annual leave with 17.5% loading paid as additional pay every December.
• 3 days additional public sector holidays each year.
• Cultural leave for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff
• Leave for study, bereavement, foster caring and parenting.
• Free access to a confidential employee assistance program (EAP) for you and your family, which includes psychology and counselling services.

How to apply: All applications are submitted online. Select ‘Apply for Job’, located at either top or bottom of the screen, and follow the instructions; you will need to provide a:

• Applicants must submit copies of their relevant degree in order to be considered for this role.
• Comprehensive CV that clearly shows your skills, experience, and key achievements, including the details of two referees.
• Maximum two (2) page covering letter demonstrating the criteria required to perform the role as described above and in the attached JDF.

Please beware if you hold an overseas qualification you will need to provide supporting documentation of proof of assessment for equivalency. Please feel free to have your degree assessed by DTWD’s Overseas Qualification Unit (OQU) or alternatively contact our HR Services team on (08) 6551 9419 or email recruitment@dplh.wa.gov.au.

Further Information: 

If you would like to know more, please give a call on (08) 6551 9093 or email christine.collins@dplh.wa.gov.au to discuss the role in further detail. Please do not send your application to Christine Collins or seek assistance with lodging your application. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants – For a confidential discussion about the recruitment process, please reach out to Barb Culbong from our Aboriginal Employment and Engagement team. You can contact Barb at 0408 895 002, or email us at aboriginalemployment@dplh.wa.gov.au.

The Department is an equal opportunity employer and as a measure to achieve equality under sections 51, 66R and 66ZP of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, young people (24 years of age and under) and people with disability who meet the requirements of the position, may be prioritised for appointment.

Accessibility: If you have any communication or access needs that require adjustment to allow you to participate in this recruitment process, please contact our HR Services team on (08) 6551 9419 or email recruitment@dplh.wa.gov.au.

We can also be contacted via the National Relay Service on the below numbers:

• TTY/voice calls – 133 677
• Speak and Listen – 1300 555 727
• SMS relay – 0423 677 767

Special Requirements for this position:

The Department will conduct a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check for applicants successful to this recruitment process. 

To be eligible for a permanent appointment to the Western Australian public sector it is essential that you are an Australian citizen or have permanent residency status in Australia. To be eligible for a fixed term appointment you must have documentary evidence of your entitlement to live and work in Australia for the period of the contract.  

Please ensure you have saved your documents in MS Word (.docx files only) or PDF format and have allowed plenty of time to submit your application, as late, emailed and proforma applications will not be accepted. 

If you experience technical issues when submitting your application, contact ramshelpdesk@bigredsky.com, or please call (08) 6551 9419 for any other queries.

Closing Date – Wednesday 29 October 2025 @ 4:00pm