The Mid West Development Commission was established with the introduction of the Regional Development Commissions Act 1993 and officially commenced operations on 8 April 1994. The Commission was one of nine regional development commissions established through the Act to facilitate economic and social development in Western Australia's regions.

The new Commission replaced the Geraldton Mid-West Development Authority which had been the main regional development arm of Government in the Mid West region since 1988.

The Mid West Development Commission seeks to encourage the sustainable development of the region.

As part of a series of Machinery of Government changes effective from 1 July 2017, staff of the Mid West Development Commission were transferred to the new Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. The Commission remains a Statutory Authority under this new arrangement.