Under the McGowan Government, a series of Machinery of Government changes were made to the public sector resulting in a number of new amalgamated departments.

The Department of Planning, the Department of Lands, and the State Heritage Office, were consolidated to form the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage on 1 July 2017. The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage is responsible for land use planning, the administration of Crown Land - including pastoral leases - and all aspects of heritage. Support for the Aboriginal Lands Trust and Aboriginal heritage functions were transferred from the Department of Aboriginal Affairs to DPLH.

The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage also works in partnership with the Heritage Council of Western Australia and the Western Australian Planning Commission.