West Australian Ballet was founded by former Ballets Russes dancer Kira Bousloff in 1952. Growing out of a meeting of Perth-based ballet teachers, it began operations as an amateur company. It first received government funding in 1969 at which time Bousloff handed over the directorship to Rex Reid. Reid directed the company until 1973 and during his directorship it became fully professional (1970). Directors since then have been Luis Moreno (1973-1977), Robin Haig (1977-1979), Garth Welch (1979-1983), Barry Moreland (1983-1997), Bill Pengelly (artistic manager 1998), Ted Brandsen (1998-2001), Judy Maelor-Thomas (acting 2002) and Simon Dow (2003-).

Each director has brought his or her individual vision to the company but from its beginnings West Australian Ballet fostered the work of Australian artists. In particular, many of Bousloff's early ballets were made to commissioned scores by composer James Penberthy. Barry Moreland was also a great advocate of Australian design and constantly commissioned Australian visual artists, including Charles Blackman and Robert Juniper, to design sets and costumes. Ted Brandsen commissioned new works from many Australian choreographers including Stephen Baynes, Adrian Burnett, Gideon Obarzanek, Stephen Page and Natalie Weir. Other choreographers who have worked consistently with West Australian Ballet include Jacqui Carroll, Chrissie Parrott and Garth Welch.