The Department is embedding First Nations voices into land use planning across the State through employment and scholarship opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
As part of the growing First Nations Australians Planning Program, a new regional planning role is now available in the Pilbara for a First Nations Australian with strong knowledge of Country and a passion for planning.
The program aims to attract, recruit and develop Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people into land use planning roles within the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage.
The Pilbara position builds on the successful recruitment of three First Nations officers in the Kimberley and Mid West regions. Suitable applicants will also be placed in a pool from which appointments may be made for similar vacancies for a period of 24 months.
Successful candidates will work directly with community organisations and local services to shape economic development opportunities, infrastructure, development plans and governance strategies.
They will also collaborate and provide advice to the Department, the Western Australian Planning Commission and other State and local governments to inform decision making and improve planning processes and policies, ensuring alignment with Aboriginal cultural and social priorities.
The position will be based in the Department's Karratha office serving the Pilbara's First Nations stakeholders.
If you are interested in applying or know someone that would be suitable, visit the First Nations Australians Planning Program or jobs.wa.gov.au for more information. Applications close at 4pm on Monday, 10 November 2025.
The program also complements the First Nations Australians Planning Program Scholarship, offered in partnership with Curtin University.
Now in its second year, the scholarship supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to study Urban and Regional Planning and pursue careers in land use planning roles across the State.
Applications for the scholarship close on Monday, 24 November 2025. Visit the Curtin University website for more information.
