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About the department

The Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation was formed on 1 July, 2017 as part of the Western Australian Government’s Machinery of Government changes.

The department is Western Australia’s lead agency for economic development, international trade and investment, and tourism. It also leads the promotion and development of the resources, defence, international education, science and innovation sectors in Western Australia.

The department is led by the Director General Richard Sellers and reports to the Premier and Minister for State Development, Jobs and Trade the Hon Mark McGowan MLA along with four other Ministers.

Our functions include:

  • Developing and coordinating State-significant projects and infrastructure
  • Negotiating and managing agreements between development proponents and the Western Australian government
  • Supporting the development of industry in Western Australia, by improving local industry capability and participation, and developing industrial land
  • Promoting and attracting investment into Western Australia’s resources sector
  • Promoting Western Australia as an extraordinary holiday destination
  • Assisting the development of export markets and managing Western Australia’s international network of trade and investment offices
  • Providing strategic policy advice on State development issues
  • Promoting Western Australia’s defence sector capability and capacity
  • Developing the State’s science and innovation capabilities by encouraging investment and linkages between the private, public and academic sectors.

The department was created through a merger of the following entities:

  • The former Department of State Development
  • The Tourism Commission of Western Australia
  • The Industry Development division from the former Department of Commerce
  • The former Office of Science from the Department of the Premier and Cabinet
  • The Innovation division from the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer
  • The International Education function from the former Department of Education Services.