Careers at the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage

Delivering the best outcomes for communities throughout Western Australia requires collaboration from a wide range of disciplines. Find out about opportunities available at the Department.
Last updated:

The Department is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to engaging and growing a diverse and inclusive workforce across many specialties including urban planning, architecture, environmentalism, heritage practice, Aboriginal affairs, engineering, law, cartography, economics, finance, human resources, business, administration, IT, communications and design.

Person searching on a computer

Current vacancies

View and apply for current job vacancies at the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage.
Graduate officers at DPLH

Graduate Development Program

Our innovative program has been developed to provide structure, continuous learning and an employee experience focus throughout the program and beyond.
Gap Year Program

Gap Year Program for school leavers

The Program offers high school leavers the opportunity to develop their potential in an agency that plays a leading role in shaping the future of Western Australia.

Human Resources EOI register

Here at DPLH we are growing our Human Resources Team and are on the lookout for talented and innovative HR Professionals to join us.

Work environment and conditions

The Department offers competitive employment conditions including a flexible working environment in line with changing business needs, healthy work/life balance options, and quality professional learning and development opportunities.

Flexible work options can be negotiated where appropriate and achievable in accordance with business needs. These may include:

  • flexible working hours and attendance patterns to suit work and personal commitments 
  • telework and work-from-home on occasion 
  • permanent part-time work arrangements 
  • option to purchase extra leave per year.

More information about the Department’s employment conditions can be found in the Public Sector CSA Agreement.

Leadership Expectations

The Department believes all its people are leaders and expects and encourages them to demonstrate leadership in their roles.

It is committed to building the leadership capability of its people and to support this has adopted Leadership Expectations.

Leadership Expectations is specifically for the public sector to build leadership impact. It is about understanding what “good” leadership looks like, how we show up and how we approach our work. Describing the mindsets and expected behaviours for every leadership context supports our staff to be successful and for our Department to be high performing.

Leadership Expectations helps staff understand the behaviours and mindsets required to succeed in their roles and progress their careers. Through Leadership Expectations, you will have access to practical tools and resources for reflection and self-assessment, performance conversations and learning and development.  

For more information, please visit Leadership Expectations.  

Professional learning and development

The Department recognises that its people are its most important asset. It aims to ensure it has the right capability and culture to support its strategic agenda and achieve great outcomes for Western Australia.

Professional development is based on the 70:20:10 principle where staff are encouraged to learn on the job from colleagues and through formal learning. We deliver a range of internal courses tailored to our staff and our organisational context and also support staff to attend external programs to build their capability and professional expertise.

Performance development - MYPLAN

The Department has a dedicated performance development process that supports our Statement of Strategic Intent, and our values.  

The process is aligned to the outcome of enriching our capability and building a high-performing and engaged workforce as well as fostering an effective organisation where people want to work.

MYPLAN is focused on coaching and development for staff from entry level to the executive team. This process helps to identify whole-of-organisation development needs, supports employee participation in development opportunities and achieves individual career goals.

Opportunities for career advancement

All Department employees have access to development opportunities on a fair and equitable basis and are encouraged to apply for acting and promotion opportunities when they arise.

Acting positions and short-term vacancies are advertised to employees through an internal online jobs board; permanent and longer-term opportunities are advised via Jobs WA. 

Temporary employment register

At the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH), we occasionally have short term (up to six months) opportunities available across a range of positions.

If you are an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold an appropriate work visa, you are welcome to apply to the temporary employment register by uploading your resume.

After applying online, you may be contacted by DPLH if a suitable vacancy becomes available, which match your skills and experience. Your resume will stay on our temporary employment register for a period of 3 months, after which time, you will need to reapply.

Apply to the temporary employment register

Contact