Aaron Cockman's children - three boys and a girl, aged eight to 13 - were among seven people found dead by police at a rural home in the western town of Osmington in the early hours of Friday.
The bodies of their mother Katrina Miles, 35, and grandparents Peter and Cynda Miles were also discovered there.
Mr Cockman, who was estranged from the children's mother, told reporters on Sunday that he thought the shooting was planned and carried out by Peter Miles.
Western Australia premier Mark McGowan confirmed on Monday that 61-year-old Peter Miles was the suspected perpetrator of the mass shooting, which was the worst since a lone gunman killed 35 people in Tasmania in 1996.
That incident prompted the nation to introduce tougher gun controls, but Mr McGowan said he did not think gun laws could be further tightened.
Speaking publicly about the incident for the first time, Mr Cockman said: "Peter didn't snap. I think he's thought this through. I think he's been thinking this through for a long time.
"He was like my best friend and I still love who he was, but his mental attitude... there are some people you just don't get on the wrong side of, and that's Peter and Cynda."
Mr Cockman added that he had felt "so much anger" during a custody battle over his children but now just feels "tremendous sadness for my kids".
"Angry will destroy you," he said. "I'm tremendously sad but I'll get through this."
Three firearms belonging to Mr Miles were found by investigators at the property.
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