An interim Council was established in 1975 prior to the W.A. Heritage Committee being established two years later. In 1990, the Heritage of Western Australia Act was passed establishing the Heritage Council of Western Australia.

The three core functions of the Heritage Council are to: establish and maintain the State Register of Heritage Places, a comprehensive statutory list of places that have heritage value to the State; ensure any development of heritage places is sensitive to its cultural heritage values; and promote awareness and knowledge of Western Australia’s cultural heritage.

The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage supports the Heritage Council and Minister for Heritage to identify, celebrate and promote the conservation and sensitive development of cultural heritage places in WA. The Department carries out most of the Heritage Council’s day-to-day operations, projects and service delivery.