Yamatji and Noongar man Ben Wyatt has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia, recognising a career which has moved across politics, Indigenous affairs, corporate governance and the not-for-profit sector.

He was honoured for distinguished service to the people and Parliament of Western Australia, to the Indigenous community, corporate governance and the not-for-profit sector.

Mr Wyatt served as the Member for Victoria Park from 2006 to 2021 and made history as the first Indigenous Treasurer of any Australian state or territory.

His ministerial roles included Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Minister for Lands and Minister for Energy.

Before entering Parliament, Mr Wyatt worked as a lawyer and later as counsel at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in Western Australia.

His political career included shadow portfolios across Aboriginal affairs, native title, cost of living, Treasury, federal-state relations, culture and the arts, the Kimberley and the Pilbara.

Mr Wyatt told The West Australian the honour was unexpected.

"I checked the email quite closely to make sure there wasn't a dodgy spelling in the email address," Mr Wyatt said.

"It's been lovely, it's slightly embarrassing, but also incredibly humbling to be recognised like this."

The recognition also reflects Mr Wyatt's work after politics, including board and advisory roles with Telethon Kids Institute, Woodside Energy, Rio Tinto, West Coast Eagles, APM Human Services International and Australian Capital Equity.

He has chaired Perth Festival since 2023 and founded Wyatt Martin after leaving Parliament.

Mr Wyatt has continued to speak about Indigenous opportunity, particularly the role of education in opening pathways for young people.

His father, Cedric Wyatt, was a child of the Stolen Generations who became a senior public servant and head of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs in Western Australia.

Mr Wyatt said education remained central to improving outcomes.

"We can still do more to create, particularly, the opportunity to pursue education. In my view, education is always the great enabler," he said.

"The more we can do to give those kids more opportunity to move further up the educational run, the more opportunities arise."

Mr Wyatt has also remained engaged in public debate on Aboriginal cultural heritage, including after the repeal of Western Australia's Aboriginal cultural heritage laws in 2023.

His appointment adds to the King's Birthday 2026 Honours List recognition of Australians who have contributed across public life, community service, culture, business and civic leadership.