West Australian Premier Colin Barnett has declared he wants to lead his party to a third election victory in 2017.

The 64-year-old had previously remained coy on his future in politics, saying he would only make his intentions clear a year out from the 2017 state election.

His position drew criticism from the Opposition, which said if the Premier or any ministers were thinking of retiring before the next election, they should do so immediately.

But on 720 ABC Perth this morning, Mr Barnett appeared to change his tune.

"I feel fitter and healthier than I probably did 10 years ago, I've lost a few kilos, and I'm enjoying it," he said.

"But as I've said to every member of Parliament, I expect everyone to make their position absolutely clear 12 months out from the election.

"As far as I'm concerned I would hope to go on, but that ultimately is up to my colleagues."

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Asked by host Geoff Hutchison if he would like to seek a third term as Premier, Mr Barnett said: "Yes I would Geoff, but I would always do what I think is best for the Government to be re-elected.

"That will be the consideration, but I'm certainly not ready to retire."

Later the Premier gave an even stronger indication he would have a tilt at the next election, and said he hoped his comments would "clear the air" about his future.

He said he still expected his ministers to flag their intentions in 2016 on whether they would retire at the next election.

"I have made up my mind I'm happy to go on," Mr Barnett said.

"I'd made up my mind that all going well, I would like to continue ... so when I was asked the question I answered it.

"I just had discussions with [my wife] Lyn and a few of my staff and a few members of Parliament, and a number of them were saying 'we want you to continue on', so if that's the view I will do so."

Not denying others a chance, says Premier

Mr Barnett denied he was declaring his hand in a bid to stop others within the party vying for the top spot.

Transport Minister Dean Nalder is one MP who has been mooted as a potential candidate, but the Premier remained adamant any discussion of succession played no part in his decision.

"No, no and I think Dean's been a minister for just over a year, I think he's doing very well [but] he's still a new member of Parliament," Mr Barnett told journalists.

Opposition Leader Mark McGowan said the Premier would now be forced to take responsibility for his mistakes.

"I'm ready to take on whoever is the Premier of Western Australia at the next election," he said.

"But I'm happy it's Colin Barnett because he needs to account for all the broken promises, all of the mess."

Mr McGowan outlined what he saw as the problems.

"The loss of the triple-A credit rating, the insecurity in people's employment, the huge broken promises, the congestion in our city, the mistakes in education," he said.

"He needs to account for that and the next election is a great chance for that to happen."