Planning Officer

The Department of Planning Lands and Heritage (DPLH) are seeking urban and regional planning emerging professionals to join our Land Use Planning division, including those recently graduated or with limited experience.

The Planning Officer is responsible for investigating, assessing and reporting on a wide range of planning matters. These include local planning strategies, schemes and amendments, structure plans, subdivisions, development and general planning enquiries. These duties will be carried out with the guidance and support of senior officers. The role also involves liaising with stakeholders and the public, providing clear and accurate advice on technical planning issues.

The Planning Officer liaises with and advises stakeholders and the public about technical planning related matters. You will be part of an effective system for planning communities in Western Australia, by enabling communities where people want to live, work and recreate.

This is an open pool recruitment process for permanent full-time and fixed term full-time opportunities. This process may be used to fill future similar permanent or fixed-term positions that may arise within the Department and across the WA public sector in the next 24 months from completion of this recruitment process.

DPLH have offices located in Perth and the broader regional areas of Western Australia including Albany and Bunbury. There may be possibility for appointment from the pool at these locations.

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

1.     An accredited tertiary qualification in Urban and Regional Planning and/or Development or an approved equivalent.

2.     Demonstrated ability to engage and communicate with a diverse range of stakeholders on planning matters.

3.     Understanding of planning concepts and principles.

4.     Demonstrated ability to undertake research and collect and analyse data relevant to land use planning with the ability to convey information in a clear and accessible manner through a range of written communication formats.

5.     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.

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:

• Please submit a maximum two (2) page Statement/Cover Letter that demonstrates your skills and experience in relation to requirements 3 and 4 - as listed above, and in the JDF
• Provide a current Curriculum Vitae that summarises your academic and work experience
• A copy of your academic transcript and evidence of your degree (completed in the current calendar year) or evidence of partial completion (if currently studying).
• Contact details of two professional referees who can comment on your skills and abilities relevant to the role. Where possible, please include a current or recent supervisor.

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 or email 

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.

Further Information:

If you would like to know more, please give Ashley Randell a call on or email discuss the role in further detail. Please do not send your application to Ashley 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 , or email us at

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 or email 

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

TTY/voice calls –

Speak and Listen –

SMS relay –

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 , or please call for any other queries.

Closing Date – Monday 13 October 2025 @ 4:00pm