The Western Australian Heritage Committee was formed in 1977 to replace and combine the functions of the State Policy Group on the National Estate (which administered the National Estate Program in WA) and the Interim Heritage Council (which advised the government on general heritage matters including the question of heritage legislation of WA).

The Heritage Committee was appointed by Cabinet to operate without legislation under three terms of reference:

1. To assist the Minister in drafting of any heritage legislation;

2. To carry out necessary liaison with the relevant Commonwealth department on dispersal and management of Commonwealth National Estate Program funds; and

3. To consider and advise the Minister on such other matters as he may refer to it.

The broad objectives of the Committee were i) to improve and expand the identification, conservation and interpretation of the State's heritage, and ii) to achieve a higher level of public awareness and knowledge of the State's heritage;