A deal to shift some government departments to Joondalup early in 2018 is firming, as the next phase in the the state's office decentralisation plans gathers steam.
Premier Colin Barnett confirmed submissions for up to 11,000 square metres of office space were being evaluated, with a preferred proponent expected to be named before the end of the year
An expressions of interest process launched last year produced a shortlist of developers to construct a new building, with those proposals being evaluated by the state government now.
Mr Barnett said up to 800 public servants could potentially move into the new office accommodation in the northern suburbs.
Construction is expected to begin midway through next year, once a suitable option is finalised.
Finance Minister Bill Marmion said the government would work closely with the shortlisted developers, none of which was named, to ensure the best value for money as well as the highest possible benefit to the Joondalup community.
The Joondalup progress follows the state government last month kicking off an expressions of interest campaign for up to 20,000sqm of office space in Fremantle for the Department of Housing.
At the time, Mr Barnett said between 800 and 1,000 jobs would be shifted to the port city as part of the move.
Both of the moves are part of a 2013 election commitment by the Barnett government, which pledged to shift government departments out of the inner city in response to rising costs of office accommodation.
The Department of Premier and Cabinet was the first to complete the move, moving to a redeveloped Hale House in West Perth, from the Governor Stirling Tower.
However, as rents have pulled back in recent times, the state government has not shown as much urgency to complete the moves.
Nonetheless, according to industry sources, the moves are about more than just saving dollars on rents, with government departments in the suburbs expected to create a strong rejuvenating effect.