Public Sector

Overview

The Western Australian State Government (also known as the WA Public Sector) is a diverse and dynamic group of over 200 agencies that work together to provide a wide range of services to the people of Western Australia.
The WA Public Sector is comprised of:

• Government Departments;
• Statutory Authorities;
• Government Trading Enterprises;
• Central Agencies; and
• Independent Offices.

Collectively, these agencies are responsible for providing all West Australians with the best services and information in:

• Health, Community and Education
• Environment, Agriculture and Fisheries
• Corporate Services (eg: Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology)
• Recreational Services and Tourism
• Emergency and Protective Services
• Science, Technology and Engineering

The WA Public Sector is one of the largest employers in WA, employing over 145 000 people across Western Australia.  Around 25% of its workforce is based in regional areas.
Some of the largest agencies within the WA Public Sector include:

• Department of Education and Training
• Department of Health
• WA Police Service
• Department of Corrective Services
• Department of Environment and Conservation
• Department for Child Protection
• Disability Services Commission
• Department of Agriculture and Food
• Department of the Attorney General
• Department of Treasury and Finance

The occupational group of Administration Professionals and Clerical is the 3rd largest occupational group in the WA Public Sector, representing just over 20 000 employees or 18.5% of its metropolitan workforce and 3 500 employees or 14% of its regional workforce.
For further information, visit the Public Sector Commission’s website to download the Profile of the WA Public Sector Workforce.

Careers in the Public Sector

Visit www.jobs.wa.gov.au to view the hundreds of job opportunities – both full time and part time - available in the WA Public Sector.  With 700-800 jobs advertised at any one time, this website is the most efficient and comprehensive way to find a career in the WA Public Sector.

For general information about employment in the WA Public Sector as well information on specific Sector-wide employment programs such as Business and School-Based Traineeships and the Entry Level Employment Program, the Getting a Job website ( www.gettingajob.dpc.wa.gov.au )is a great source of information.

Some of the Sector-wide programs are tailored to those under 25 years of age, of indigenous descent and for people with a disability.

Registered Training Organisations

Some Government agencies are also Registered Training Organisations (RTO) who offer existing employees industry-specific training from nationally recognised packages such as the Department for Child Protection and the Department of Environment and Conservation to name just a few.  Agencies without a RTO status may establish partnership arrangements with TAFE Colleges and other registered training organisations to deliver selected qualifications.

Further Information

Public Sector Commission – http://www.publicsector.wa.gov.au information on the administration of the WA Public Sector

Jobs WA – http://www.jobs.wa.gov.au search and apply for vacancies in the WA Public Sector

Getting a Job – http://www.gettingajob.dpc.wa.gov.au information on employment opportunities in the WA Public Sector

Department of Education and Training – http://www.det.wa.edu.au information on training opportunities