In May 1995, the State Archives of Western Australia underwent a change of name to that of the Public Records Office of Western Australia. This was to signify the transfer of the Private Archives collection, which up until that time had been under the control of the State Archives, to the J.S. Battye Library of West Australian History. The change of name also reflected an increased focus in the government recordkeeping function of the Public Records Office.

In July 2001, with the partial proclamation of the State Records Act 2000, the Public Records Office of WA underwent a further name change to that of the State Records Office of Western Australia. The State Records Office was established as a statutory office independant of the Library and Information Service of WA.

The State Archives of Western Australia had its origins in the appointment of an Archivist to head the Archives Branch in 1945.

Following the formation of the J.S. Battye Library of West Australian History in 1955, the Archives Branch was absorbed by the Battye Library and the Principal Librarian was also the State Archivist.

In the mid 1980's, a functional review recommended that archives be separated from the Battye Library and accordingly the State Archives was established as a separate directorate of the Library and Information Service of WA. The State Archives of Western Australia became the Public Records Office on 22 May 1995.