Senior Policy Planner

Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for sustainability and public policy? Do you thrive in dynamic environments where your insights can influence real-world outcomes? We're seeking a Senior Policy Planner who brings not only technical expertise but also the personal leadership to drive meaningful change in land use and coastal planning across Western Australia.

This position has a primary responsibility for providing advice on policies relating to the State Coastal Policy suite and delivery of CoastWA. Join a team where your ability to translate complex issues into practical, impactful policy will help shape the future of WA's landscapes and communities.

There is one permanent fulltime position available for an immediate start. This process may be used to fill future similar permanent or fixed-term fulltime and part time positions that may arise within the Department and across the WA public sector in the next 12 months from the initial date of appointment.

Other similar positions in the Department may have a focus on a range of exciting policy areas that relate to sustainable development and natural resource including, for example, water, urban greening, bushfire and Bushforever.

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

• Demonstrated experience in a complex public policy environment including the provision of strategic policy advice relevant to land use planning, environmental science or natural resource management.
• Knowledge of current and emerging trends in a land use planning policy environment.
• Demonstrated experience in undertaking research, analysis and development of policy addressing complex issues.
• Highly effective communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to present complex and technical information to broad range of stakeholders and positively influence and achieve the desired policy outcomes.
• Tertiary qualification in Urban and/or Regional Planning (or relevant to), including Geography, Landscape Architecture, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management or Sustainable Development.
• 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 expected behaviours may be assessed during the recruitment and selection process.

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.

Our Perth office is located in the Perth CBD in a convenient location, above the Perth Underground rail; close to the Wellington Street Bus Station and City CAT services.

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:

• Applicants must submit copies of their relevant degree in order to be considered for this role.
• Comprehensive CV that clearly shows your skills, experience, and key achievements, including the details of two referees.
• Consider the requirements outlined in this advert and the attached Job Description Form (JDF) and provide a concise summary of experience relevant to the role in a one-page

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 byDTWD's Overseas Qualification Unit(OQU) or alternatively contact our HR Services team on or email 

Further Information:

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 – 22 September 2025 @ 4:00pm