On 28 April 1891, the Hon. Septimus Burt QC, Attorney-General, was commissioned to act as Agent-General in the United Kingdom. He held this position until Sir Malcolm Fraser was appointed as the first Agent-General on 21 April 1892.

The principal function of the Office of the Agent-General was to promote the overseas sale of the State's produce, particularly timber, and the purchase of equipment and materials for Western Australia (n.b. the population for Western Australia at the time of the establishment of the Office of the Agent-General was 40 000).

The Office was also concerned with the raising of loans in the United Kingdom for the development of the State (until the formation of the Australian Loan Council).

The Office also assisted in migration schemes.

Although still located in London, the Office today has expanded links throughout Europe and monitors current and emerging issues throughout Europe and the United Kingdom to identify prime opportunities for attracting inward and outward investment and trade for Western Australia.