First Nations Australians Planning Program

The First Nations Australians Planning Program attracts, recruits and develops Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people into land use planning roles so that a collective knowledge of Country can be embedded within Western Australia’s land use planning system. 

First Nations Australians are employed to support Aboriginal community organisations, Prescribed Body Corporates and local services to offer advice and help shape economic development opportunities, community infrastructure, development plans and governance strategies that reflect long-term goals for sustainability, cultural integrity and economic independence.  

They also collaborate and provide advice to the Department, the Western Australian Planning Commission, other State Government organisations and local governments to inform decision making and improve planning processes and policies, ensuring alignment with Aboriginal cultural and social priorities.   

Since inception in 2023, First Nations planners have developed land use planning capabilities within a range of Prescribed Bodies Corporate and First Nations communities and stakeholders across the Kimberley.   

The Department is expanding its program into the Pilbara region and seeking an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander with suitable land use planning experience and a deep understanding of Country. 

The position will be based in the Department’s Karratha office serving the Pilbara’s First Nations stakeholders.

This is an open pool recruitment process for permanent full-time opportunities. Suitable applicants will also be placed in a pool from which appointments may be made for similar vacancies across the State for a period of 24 months. 

To apply or for more information visit jobs.wa.gov.au. Applications close at 4pm on Monday, 10 November 2025. 

If you would like to find out more information, contact Principal Planner, Shannon Lockyer on (08) 9166 7802 or email shannon.lockyer@dplh.wa.gov.au. 

Complementing its First Nations workforce initiatives, the Department offers an annual scholarship to support First Nations students to pursue a Bachelor or Masters degree in Urban and Regional Planning at Curtin University.   

One scholarship is awarded each year to support students for the duration of their course in either a Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning or a Master of Urban and Regional Planning course at Curtin University:  

Current opportunities   

Scholarship applications for students to undertake studies in 2026 are now open, closing on 24 November 2025. Visit Scholarship details | Curtin University, Perth, Australia.