Western Australia will establish a new Public Sector Artificial Intelligence Centre of Excellence alongside a $10 million AI Investment Fund, as part of a push to expand the use of artificial intelligence across government services, the Government of Western Australia has announced.
The initiative is aimed at strengthening the public sector’s capacity to use AI to improve service delivery, with potential applications including reducing administrative workloads, speeding up approvals, and enhancing decision-making across agencies.
The government said the broader use of AI could also support improvements in community safety, health outcomes and education services.
According to the announcement, the AI Centre of Excellence will provide capability for agencies to develop and deploy AI tools, while ensuring systems can be scaled across government where appropriate. It will be supported by an AI uplift team tasked with providing specialist expertise to help agencies deliver higher-value AI solutions, alongside a central policy and governance function focused on safe and responsible use.
A $10 million AI Investment Fund will also be created to attract partnerships with industry and universities to pilot and expand AI projects that demonstrate measurable productivity or service delivery benefits.
The fund will be accompanied by a procurement mechanism designed to give government easier access to AI technologies and providers.
The government said the centralised approach is intended to reduce duplication across agencies and ensure investment in AI delivers practical outcomes for the public sector.
The announcement also coincided with the release of the WA Government’s Digital Strategy 2026–2030, which outlines plans to improve data sharing, strengthen collaboration across the public sector, upskill the workforce and further integrate AI into government services.
Science and Innovation Minister Stephen Dawson said the initiative was focused on improving the government’s ability to serve the community as technology evolves.
“The Cook Labor Government is committed to ensuring that the public sector continues to effectively serve Western Australians. The advancement of AI presents significant opportunities to enhance service delivery across government functions,” Dawson said.
He added that the new structures were designed to position the state within emerging technology development.
“By establishing an AI Centre of Excellence and an investment fund, we will ensure Western Australia remains at the forefront of technological innovation and that our public sector is equipped with the resources necessary to meet evolving needs,” he said.
Dawson also said the approach was intended to support longer-term capability across government.
“The Cook Labor Government is dedicated to building and future-proofing both the skills and infrastructure essential for the state’s readiness in the years ahead,” he said.
