From 1890 to 1917, the premier was not an official position, rather, it was the title unofficially given, but widely used to refer, to the head of the government.

[3][4] When Western Australia became a self-governing colony in 1890, Governor William Robinson initially indicated he would use the title prime minister to refer to the head of the government.

However, after he appointed John Forrest, the title premier was used for consistency with the other Australian colonies.

[3][5] The position was first officially mentioned when the governor appointed Henry Lefroy as premier on 28 June 1917.

However, when the governor designated and declared the six executive offices of the government on 2 July 1917, the position of premier was not listed, creating an ambiguity.

While premier, they stay as a member of parliament and they retain their responsibility for representing their electoral district.

[9] Carmen Lawrence, who was appointed on 12 February 1990, is the first and only woman to be premier of Western Australia.

[3][15] Moore, Philip Collier, John Willcock and Geoff Gallop are the only premiers to have resigned due to ill health.

[3] George Leake, Frank Wilson, Phillip Collier and Mitchell are the only people to have been premier more than once.

In 1994, Brian Burke was sentenced to two years in jail for defrauding the state by $17,000 by making false claims on the parliamentary imprest account.

[23] In 1995, O'Connor served six months in jail for stealing a $25,000 cheque from the Bond Corporation during his time as premier.

[21][24] In 1997, Burke was sentenced to three years jail for stealing $122,585 in Labor Party campaign donations.