<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001200836-11-000008.txt : 20110728
<SEC-HEADER>0001200836-11-000008.hdr.sgml : 20110728
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20110728175031
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001200836-11-000008
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20110725
FILED AS OF DATE:		20110728
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20110728

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PELLETIER LIANE J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001205189

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-34654
		FILM NUMBER:		11994859

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O ALASKA COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS
		STREET 2:		600 TELEPHONE AVENUE
		CITY:			ANCHORAGE
		STATE:			AK
		ZIP:			99503

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WASHINGTON FEDERAL INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000936528
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SAVINGS INSTITUTION, FEDERALLY CHARTERED [6035]
		IRS NUMBER:				911661606
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			WA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0930

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		425 PIKE STREET
		CITY:			SEATTLE
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98101
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2066247930

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		425 PIKE ST
		CITY:			SEATTLE
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98101
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0203</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2011-07-25</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000936528</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>WASHINGTON FEDERAL INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>WFSL</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001205189</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>PELLETIER LIANE J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O ALASKA COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>600 TELEPHONE AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ANCHORAGE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>AK</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>99503</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Liane Pelletier</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2011-07-28</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
