Known as 'The Wizard', Whitlock is seeded seventh for the illustrious tournament at Alexandra Palace, London and will take on Englishman Darren Webster in the first round.
Whitlock has made the last eight of the tournament in four of the past five years, including a runner-up finish in 2008 - and is on a collision course with 16-time world champion Phil Taylor in the quarter-finals.
Paul Nicholson is seeded 25th and is Australia's second-highest ranked player, and will play Dutchman Benito van de Pas in his opening encounter later this month.
Kyle Anderson returns to the scene of his heroic nine-darter in 2013, as he takes his place in the main draw - up against 21st seed Steve Beaton in the first round.
Anderson has lost in the first round of both of his attempts at the world championships, but threw a perfect leg in his loss to Ian White 12 months ago - a feat that pocketed him a cool 15,000 pounds.
Completing the local contingent competing at Ally Pally are qualifiers John Weber and Loz Ryder.
The Melbourne-based Weber guaranteed his place at the event by winning the Oceanic Masters, beating New Zealand's Rob Szabo - who took a set off Taylor at the world champs last year - in the final.
Weber will play 16th seed Terry Jenkins of England in the first round.
Perth native Ryder qualified for the event by topping the Australian tour's Order of Merit, and he will go up against English 17th seed Justin Pipe.
If Weber and Ryder can cause upsets, they will go head-to-head in the second round - potentially for a shot at playing top seed and defending champion Michael van Gerwen.
Whitlock has made the last eight of the tournament in four of the past five years, including a runner-up finish in 2008 - and is on a collision course with 16-time world champion Phil Taylor in the quarter-finals.
Paul Nicholson is seeded 25th and is Australia's second-highest ranked player, and will play Dutchman Benito van de Pas in his opening encounter later this month.
Kyle Anderson returns to the scene of his heroic nine-darter in 2013, as he takes his place in the main draw - up against 21st seed Steve Beaton in the first round.
Anderson has lost in the first round of both of his attempts at the world championships, but threw a perfect leg in his loss to Ian White 12 months ago - a feat that pocketed him a cool 15,000 pounds.
Completing the local contingent competing at Ally Pally are qualifiers John Weber and Loz Ryder.
The Melbourne-based Weber guaranteed his place at the event by winning the Oceanic Masters, beating New Zealand's Rob Szabo - who took a set off Taylor at the world champs last year - in the final.
Weber will play 16th seed Terry Jenkins of England in the first round.
Perth native Ryder qualified for the event by topping the Australian tour's Order of Merit, and he will go up against English 17th seed Justin Pipe.
If Weber and Ryder can cause upsets, they will go head-to-head in the second round - potentially for a shot at playing top seed and defending champion Michael van Gerwen.