Ruqayyah Snyder
The Government of Western Australia, also known as the WA Government, is the executive branch of government for the Australian state of Western Australia. The state government is seated in Perth, and Western Australians are represented at the federal level in Canberra. The WA Government includes approximately 130 agencies and authorities delivering frontline and support services, employing around 240,000 people. The Governor of Western Australia is appointed by the King and acts as the representative of the Crown, exercising power on the advice of the Premier of Western Australia and the Cabinet. The Premier and Ministers are appointed by the Governor and hold office by maintaining the support of a majority of members of the Legislative Assembly. The state's highest judicial body is the Supreme Court of Western Australia, which handles the most serious civil and criminal cases.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Government | Constitutional monarchy |
| Executive Government | Cabinet system, led by a premier |
| Legislative Branch | Bicameral Parliament of Western Australia |
| Legislative Council | Upper House |
| Legislative Assembly | Lower House |
| Governor | Representative of the Crown, repository of power, appointed by the King |
| Premier | Appointed by the Governor, leader of the majority party |
| Judicial Branch | Supreme Court of Western Australia, subordinate courts, High Court of Australia, federal courts |
| Public Sector | Approximately 130 agencies, 240,000 employees |
| Operating Expenditure | A$43.59 billion (expected, 2024-25) |
| Local Government | 140 elected city, town, shire councils |
| Education | Compulsory from ages 5 to 15 |
| Health | Basic public hospital services are free, rural health system |
| Welfare | Pensions, benefits, repatriation services, child welfare programs |
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What You'll Learn
Western Australia's government structure
Western Australia, a state in Australia, has been a constitutional monarchy with a democratic form of government since the enactment of its founding constitution in 1890. The government structure of Western Australia consists of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, with the Governor serving as the formal repository of power.
The executive branch, also known as the WA Government, comprises the State Cabinet, Executive Council, and the public sector. The Cabinet is led by the Premier, who is the head of the majority party or coalition in the legislature. The Premier and other Ministers are appointed by the Governor, who acts as the representative of the Crown and the Head of State. The Premier advises the Governor on the exercise of their powers. The Executive Council includes the Cabinet and other senior ministers, who advise the Governor and make decisions on important matters. The public sector consists of approximately 130 agencies and authorities that deliver frontline and support services to the community.
The legislative branch of Western Australia is a bicameral Parliament, consisting of the Legislative Council (upper house) and the Legislative Assembly (lower house). The Parliament is responsible for passing laws and overseeing the work of the executive branch. The Governor appoints the President of the Legislative Council and officially opens the State Parliament.
The judicial branch is headed by the Supreme Court of Western Australia, which is the highest court in the state. It handles the most serious civil and criminal cases. Below the Supreme Court are subordinate courts, including district courts, magistrate courts, and specialised courts for family and children's matters. The High Court of Australia and other federal courts have overriding jurisdiction on matters pertaining to the Australian Constitution.
In addition to the state-level government, Western Australia also has a system of local governments consisting of elected city, town, and shire (county) councils that function at the regional level. The federal government also plays a role in providing certain services, such as pensions, benefits, and welfare services, in collaboration with state agencies and voluntary organisations.
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The Governor's role
The Governor of Western Australia is the representative of the Crown, or the monarch, King Charles III. The Governor is appointed by the King on the advice of the Premier. The Governor's role is broad and includes constitutional, ceremonial, and community functions. The Governor is the formal repository of power, which is exercised on the advice of the Premier of Western Australia and the Cabinet. The Premier and Ministers are appointed by the Governor and hold office by virtue of their ability to command the support of a majority of members of the Legislative Assembly.
The Governor is responsible for appointing the President of the Legislative Council and all State Government Ministers and for officially opening State Parliament. The Governor also appoints judges, magistrates, and justices of the peace. Additionally, the Governor officiates at important ceremonial and celebratory occasions, including Anzac Day ceremonies, military parades, and other special occasions of state and national significance. The Governor is the patron of many organisations in Western Australia and supports them in pursuing their objectives through visits, attendance at functions, and hospitality.
The Governor has a key role in engaging with a diverse range of people and organisations, both within and outside Western Australia, to promote the strategic interests and capabilities of the state. This includes engaging with visiting international dignitaries, diplomats, and members of various sectors, including business, mining, agriculture, medicine, science, arts, and community services. The Governor also hosts investiture ceremonies at Government House to confer Western Australian awards and honours.
Furthermore, any vote, resolution, or bill requiring the spending of public money cannot be passed by the Western Australian Parliament without the Governor's recommendation for approval to the Legislative Assembly. In these matters, the Governor acts on the advice of the Premier. All bills passed by the Parliament of Western Australia require the Governor's signature before they become acts and pass into law.
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The Premier
Additionally, the Premier has a role in the judicial process, as they advise the Governor in appointing judges, magistrates, and justices of the peace. The Premier also has a role in ceremonial and celebratory occasions, including Anzac Day ceremonies, military parades, and other special events of state and national significance.
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The state's budget
The Western Australian Government, also known as the WA Government, is the executive branch of government for the Australian state of Western Australia. The WA Government includes approximately 130 agencies and authorities delivering frontline and support services, employing approximately 240,000 people. The government's expected operating expenditure for the 2024–25 financial year was A$43.59 billion.
The Western Australian public sector is a diverse group of approximately 130 employing agencies working to deliver services to the community. The state budget includes both the current budget and previous years' budget information and fact sheets on significant budget issues.
The Western Australian Government's 2025-26 state budget focuses on delivering a strong economic plan for the state in a world of global instability and uncertainty. The budget aims to cement WA as the most responsible budget manager in the nation, while investing in the economic and social infrastructure to power new jobs and investment in the state. WA is on track to deliver a seventh consecutive operating surplus in 2024-25, with an expected surplus of $2.5 billion in 2024-25 and a forecast surplus of $2.4 billion in 2025-26. WA’s total revenue is budgeted to be $50,257 million in 2025-26, with total expenses budgeted at $47,844 million.
The 2025-26 budget prioritises key economic infrastructure projects that will power new industries and deliver new jobs. Revenue growth is a key focus, with an expected increase in taxation revenue of 1.7% ($252 million). Specifically, payroll tax is expected to grow by 4.7% in 2025-26, although this is a slower growth rate than the previous year due to a slowdown in hiring and wages growth in the state. There were no changes announced regarding the WA tax-free threshold, which has remained at the $1 million mark since 1 July 2020.
The Western Australian Government provides a range of services and welfare programs to its citizens. Basic public hospital services are free of charge, and the state operates an extensive rural health system that provides medical care to smaller towns and remote regions. Education is compulsory from ages 5 to 15, with most children attending government (public) schools, although a significant number attend private schools, often in rural areas. The government also provides funding and grants to non-government organisations and community groups through the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.
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Welfare and education
Western Australia, a constituent state of the Commonwealth of Australia, has its own government, the Government of Western Australia, also known as the WA Government. The WA Government is the executive branch of government for the state and comprises the State Cabinet, Executive Council, and the public sector.
The WA Government's Department of Education supports and maintains the safety and well-being of all staff and students in their learning and working environments. The Department of Education's safety and welfare policies are underpinned by the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984. The principal or college manager is responsible for the day-to-day management of a public school or residential facility, including providing for the safety and welfare of students, staff, and visitors. The Department of Education also provides guidelines and assessment templates to support the Western Australian College of Agriculture (WACoA) and Farm-Based Public School sites in implementing the Duty of Care for Public School Students Policy.
The WA Government delivers high-quality education programs to international students through Western Australian Government Schools. Education in Western Australia consists of public and private schools, including universities and TAFE colleges. Public school education is supervised by the Department of Education, which forms part of the Government of Western Australia. The School Curriculum and Standards Authority, an independent statutory authority, is responsible for developing the curriculum and associated standards in all schools, ensuring standards of student achievement, and assessment and certification according to those standards. The Western Australian curriculum is broadly consistent with the Australian Curriculum but is contextualized for Western Australian students and teachers.
Early childhood educators in Western Australia follow the Australian Government and the School Curriculum and Standards Authorities' guidelines on Early Learning. Many schools have adopted the Early Years Learning Framework, part of the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education, which focuses on Belonging, Being, and Becoming. Primary education consists of six grades: a preparatory year ("pre-primary") followed by Years 1 to 6. The minimum age at which a child can commence primary school education is 4.5 years. A child must begin their education before turning six.
The government of Western Australia believes that a secondary school is more appropriate for young adolescents from Year 7 onwards to assist with social and emotional development and deliver the Australian Curriculum to Year 7 students. Some institutions in Western Australia have integrated primary and secondary schools, educating students from Kindergarten to Year 12. Perth Modern School is Western Australia's only public academically selective school, with entry based on an Academic Selective Entry Test.
Low-income families can receive financial assistance with secondary school costs by applying for the Secondary Assistance scheme.
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Frequently asked questions
The Government of Western Australia, also known as the WA Government, is the executive branch of government for the Australian state of Western Australia.
The WA Government includes the State Cabinet, Executive Council and the public sector. The public sector consists of around 130 agencies and authorities delivering frontline and support services.
The Governor of Western Australia is appointed by the King and acts as the representative of the Crown. The Governor is the formal repository of power and exercises this power on the advice of the Premier of Western Australia and the Cabinet.
The Premier of Western Australia leads the cabinet system and represents the majority party or coalition in the legislature. The Premier advises the Governor and appoints the Ministers who hold office by maintaining the support of the majority of the Legislative Assembly.
The Western Australian Parliament is a bicameral body consisting of the Legislative Council (upper house) and the Legislative Assembly (lower house). The Parliament is located in Perth and Western Australians are also represented at the federal level in Canberra.
