The Department of Education and Training was separated on 30 October 2009 to become the Department of Education and the Department of Training and Workforce Development. The new Department of Education was responsible for the education of students in public schools across Western Australia, as well as students in the Indian Ocean Territories of Christmas and Cocos (Keeling) Islands.

Under the McGowan Government, a series of Machinery of Government changes were made to the public sector creating a number of new amalgamated departments. The Department of Education and the Department of Education Services were amalgamated with effect from 1 July 2017. The restructured Department of Education is responsible for all Government and non-Government school education services.

In 2017, the recently restructured Department of Education provided staff, facilities and resources to: the Non-Government Schools Planning Advisory Panel, the Non-Government Schools Registration Advisory Panel, the Rural and Remote Education Advisory Council, the School Curriculum and Standards Authority, the Training Accreditation Council, the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia, and the Western Australian Higher Education Council.