- 2025-26 State Budget delivers on Cook Labor Government's
vision for regional WA
- More than $10 billion invested in the regions
- Significant investments in health, community safety,
education and housing
- More than $4 billion delivered through Royalties
for Regions Program
- Ensuring people living in regional Western
Australia have access to the infrastructure and services they need
The
Cook Labor Government is delivering its vision for regional WA, with the
2025-26 State Budget providing significant investments in health
infrastructure, mental health services, community safety, housing and community
services.
Billions of dollars will be delivered to the regions, supporting
the Cook Government's commitment to Western Australians, whether they live in
our suburbs, regional centres, towns, or remote communities, they will have access
to local job opportunities, major services and quality infrastructure.
The Budget will help keep costs down for WA
families with billions of dollars in rebates and concessions, and household
fees and charges being kept affordable with below inflation increases for a
sixth consecutive year.
More than $4 billion in
Royalties for Regions funding will also go towards projects which enhance regional
communities, ensuring they remain exceptional places to live, work and raise a
family.
Regional Western Australians will benefit from the Cook
Government's $121 million investment in regional health and mental health infrastructure
and services. This includes:
- $69.1 million for planning the Albany Health
Campus expansion to commence planning for a 30‑bed ward delivered via
innovative modular technology;
- $36.3
million to expand the WA Virtual Emergency Department and enable people to
access expert emergency care from their own home, no matter where they live;
- $20.3
million in additional funding to the major Bunbury Hospital Redevelopment, bringing
the total to $471.4 million;
- $13.8 million to commence a mental health
child and adolescent Acute Care and Response Team in Bunbury;
- $12.4 million for the establishment and
operation of a residential Great Southern Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation
Centre;
- $12.2 million to implement a Virtual Infant,
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Hub, which will provide virtual
mental health treatment and support services for children and their families;
- $10.8 million for key Kimberley Health
initiatives including $8.8 million to deliver the Derby Wellness Centre and $2 million to progress planning for a
low-medium alcohol and other drug withdrawal facility in Broome;
- $9.9 million to improve mental health service
access in the Goldfields;
- $3.4 million for the Dampier Peninsula Clinics
Transition to Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services;
- $8.2 million to establish GP ASK to connect WA
GPs to dedicated and experienced specialists without the need for patients to
travel to a hospital;
- $1.6 million to commence commissioning work for
the Geraldton Health Campus redevelopment;
- $1 million project planning funding for delivery
of an 8-bed Karratha Renal Dialysis Facility, a new hostel and expansion of
Geraldton Renal Dialysis Unit;
- $1 million planning funding towards a Geraldton
Radiation Oncology service;
- $1 million to upgrade air conditioning at the
Kalbarri Health Centre; and
- $829,000 for the purchase of land to enable the
construction of the Broome Sobering Up Centre.
The 2025-26
State Budget delivers cost-of-living support with rebates and concessions for people
across regional WA, including:
- $3.5 billion over the next four years
to keep regional water and power prices in line with metropolitan prices;
- $337 million towards the WA Residential Battery Scheme,
providing Horizon Power customers with up to $7,500 and Synergy customers
$5,000 towards the cost of a household battery together with the Federal
Government's Cheaper Home Batteries Program, plus households with incomes of
less than $210,000 per annum can access no-interest loans of up to $10,000;
- $88.7
million in cost-of-living relief to families for school expenses, including
$250 for every secondary student and $150 for every primary and kindergarten
student, through the second round of the Western Australian Student Assistance
Payment;
- $28
million to expand the School Breakfast Program to provide free breakfasts five
days a week at more than 650 schools, including in the South West;
- $25.7 million to deliver a further $100 increase
to the Regional Pensioner Travel Card, bringing the total card value to $775
per year;
- $18.2 million to halve the costs of Transwa
rail and coach fares from 1 January 2026;
- $18.5
million to increase the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS) fuel subsidy from
26c per kilometre to 40c per kilometre; and
- $8 million for the Country Week Assistance
Program to support regional students participating in Country Week events.
Regional
roads and transport infrastructure will continue to be upgraded, with investments
in key projects including:
- $250 million over five years to expand the
Regional Road Safety Program to local roads across the State;
- $40 million towards Transforming Bunbury's Waterfront,
that will complete construction of the Casuarina Boat Harbour breakwater,
bringing the total project to $112 million;
- $35 million
to progress road works at the Utah Point Bulk Handling Facility in
Port Hedland;
- $25 million to deliver the Northam Pithara Road
Realignment and Bridge Replacement project (Wheatbelt);
- $25 million to commence road enhancements
on sections of South Coast Highway between Cheyne Road and Kojaneerup;
- $14 million for first point of entry
infrastructure at the Port of Wyndham;
- a
further $11.5 million for upgrades to Albany Regional Airport, bringing the State's contribution to the project to $14
million;
- $10.8 million
to undertake planning work for the Port of Albany general purpose berth project;
- $8.3
million to progress planning and negotiations to bring the Freight Rail Network
back into government hands;
- $7.7 million for the long-awaited upgrade to
Bayley Street in Coolgardie;
- $3.5 million towards the design of berth 8 and 9
at Geraldton Port;
- $3
million to resolve a long-standing access problem at Austin Lakes in South
Yunderup, by upgrading Shoales Bend and the intersection of Forrest Highway and
Beacham Road;
- $1.5 million for a barge landing facility
at the Port of Derby; and
- $500,000 to create a business case for cruise terminal
facilities at the Port of Broome.
The 2025-26 Budget will
continue to build safe and strong regional communities with key commitments,
such as:
- more than
$480 million per annum for services provided by the
Western Australia Police Force's regional districts, including
123 police stations and around 1,900 police officers and staff;
- $390 million
per annum on court and tribunal administration in the regions, community
corrections, and the operation of the State's eight regional prisons (and work camps);
- $14.3 million to
redevelop a Western Australia Police Academy accommodation block, which
will be used to provide free accommodation to regional recruits to encourage
people living in regional areas to become police officers;
- $10 million, as part of the Fire and
Emergency Services Package, towards the construction of a new evacuation centre
and multipurpose complex in Fitzroy Crossing;
- $5.9 million over the next three years to help establish the
first Night Space program in Kununurra, providing a safe place for children after
hours;
- $5 million for
contracted security services and minor upgrades at regional courts;
- $3.5 million for expansion of the Community
Emergency Services Manager program;
- $3.1 million towards a
new State Bushfire Mitigation Branch, including 12 additional staff;
- $2.5 million for Kalgoorlie LED streetlighting;
- $2 million, funded by the Commonwealth
Government, to establish a Western Australian Telecommunications
Resilience Pilot Program in the Wheatbelt and Western Goldfields;
- $3 million for the Marra Worra Worra Night
Place - Fitzroy Crossing to provide wrap‑around support for young people and
their families in the Kimberley;
- $1.6 million to assist
the Shire of Donnybrook Balingup in development of a replacement facility for
the Argyle Irishtown Bush Fire Brigade; and
- $250,000 towards the Kalbarri Evacuation Centre.
The Cook Government's budget will deliver a $1.4 billion investment
to support housing and homelessness measures. Key regional housing initiatives
include:
- $103.8 million in funding to deliver more
Government Regional Officer Housing (GROH) homes for essential government
workers in the regions;
- $43.2 million to deliver 169 lots in the
Mulataga residential development in Karratha, partially funded by the
Commonwealth;
- $25 million over four years for the Regional
Housing Support Fund which will provide grants of up to $5 million to support
new housing and land supply across regional WA, supporting regional subdivision
and providing additional support to key worker and community housing projects;
-
$20 million towards the Pringle Village Stage 2
- Seniors Independent Living in Kalgoorlie;
- $13.7 million for regional staff accommodation
costs to attract and retain staff in regional areas;
- $8.3 million from the Housing Enabling
Infrastructure Fund to support four wastewater projects in the Kimberley and
South West regions and enable over 5,600 residential lots in the longer term;
- $5 million to unlock and expedite new
housing projects and land supply;
-
$5 million for the Water Lily Place Housing Development
in East Wyndham; and
- $3.1 million to expand Housing First
Homelessness Support Services in Bunbury and surrounding suburbs for people
experiencing homelessness or rough sleeping.
The
Cook Government will invest $219.7 million in regional primary and
secondary school infrastructure, upgrades and new builds, as well as a range of
measures to support families across regional Western Australia, including for early
education and outside of school hours care. Key initiatives include:
- $43.3 million towards the first tranche of the
Cool the Schools program that will deliver air conditioning upgrades to schools
across WA and the regions;
- $42 million for the first tranche of minor works
for schools across the State and regional WA;
- $30.3 million for the School of Isolated and
Distance Education to support more students learning in regional
Western Australia;
- $29
million to trial nation-leading free full-time, school-based kindy,
which includes $2.3 million for minor infrastructure upgrades to five regional
pilot sites;
- $15
million to expand the number of outside school hours care services at public
primary schools, of which $1 million is for schools in Manjimup and
Bunbury;
- $10 million
for additional transportable classrooms, including $4.4 million to establish long-term accommodation for the
Alternative Learning Settings programs in Northam and Karratha;
-
$8.6 million
to facilitate the New Schools and Maintenance Vision, comprising $6.7 million
to deliver a range of minor works projects, including classroom refurbishments,
sports facilities, play equipment, and student services upgrades;
- $1.7 million
to progress planning for seven major upgrade projects;
- $200,000
to begin planning for a proposed new secondary school in the Dawesville
catchment;
-
$8 million for the Remote Schools
Infrastructure Program to address critical infrastructure needs at 14 eligible
schools in the remote Kimberley region; and
- more
than $4 million as part of the Government's small commitments to support
minor works and non‑infrastructure projects at more than 70 public and non‑government
schools.
Around $277 million per annum will be
invested to deliver Vocational Education and Training, career and employment
advice, and TAFE support services across regional Western Australia, with
further asset investment of $65 million towards regional TAFE projects. This
includes:
- $11.6 million
for another round of the TAFE Modern Equipment program to enhance facilities
and infrastructure assets in the regions;
- $8.6 million
to deliver fee-free TAFE - housing and construction courses,
upskilling the local workforce to build regional houses; and
- $5.9 million
through the Adult Apprentice Incentive Scheme, AUKUS Incentive Scheme and
Collie Job App.
The Cook Government is focused on diversifying regional
economies, delivering more jobs and powering WA on clean energy. This includes
investments of:
- $500 million
increase to the Strategic Industries Fund (to $1 billion), which will support
activating strategic industrial areas across the State, including in the Pilbara, South West and
Mid West;
-
$30 million
towards the Collie Industrial Transition Fund (allocated beyond the forward
estimates) to further support the transition of Collie's economy to new and
emerging industries;
-
$20 million to expand the Aboriginal Ranger
Program in the regions;
-
$13.5 million
to undertake network connection works required for a new 50 per cent renewable
power generation station;
- $8.9 million funding boost to the Exploration
Incentive Scheme to encourage mining exploration and support jobs in regional
WA;
- $6.7 million
for the Grain Harvest Program and aerial fire response capability including the
establishment of two strike teams;
- $6 million
to more than double the State's contribution to the Wine Industry Export Growth
Partnership;
- $5.3 million for the new Blackstone Power
Station and Solar Farm (partially funded by $1 million in Commonwealth
funding);
- $4.5 million to finalise the replacement of
a transformer at the Murdoch Drive Zone substation in the Pilbara;
- $4 million
(funded from the Collie Industry Attraction and Development Fund), to deliver
the Allanson Farm Shop Restaurant and Caravan Park;
- $2.5 million to expand and fit out the
Kalgoorlie Driver and Vehicle Services centre;
- $2 million
to undertake a study into establishing a space launch facility;
- $1.6
million towards the Pilbara Energy Transition Plan; and
- $1
million to the Collie Mine Workers Institute.
- Securing regional WA's
water future is a priority for the Cook Government, with substantial
investments in the budget, including:
- $543.3 million
to the Goldfields and Agricultural Water Supply Scheme Upgrade;
- $20.6
million for the Onslow Seawater Desalination Plant;
- $8.5 million
to protect and improve the water quality of the Peel‑Harvey estuary
through the continued implementation of the Bindjareb Djilba (Peel‑Harvey
Estuary) Protection Plan;
- $5
million for the Kalgoorlie‑Boulder Water Bank Project;
- $4.5 million
to undertake environmental regulation and water licensing assessment and
approvals for the Pilbara region; and
- $4.2 million
to update water planning information and water allocation plans in the Pilbara
region.
A
commitment of $33.3 million to support family and domestic violence (FDV)
victim-survivors has been included in the budget, including:
- $11.5 million to deliver the Safe at Home
program to seven additional locations, including in regional Western Australia;
and
- $1.4 million to support planning and business
case development for the expansion of Albany and Geraldton refuge capacity, and
further expansions of FDV refuges at five locations across the State.
The Cook Government's budget will also support local industry and amenity,
community activities, sport and recreation across regional WA. Some of the
projects and initiatives include:
- $115.6 million to build a new Ningaloo Reef
tourism hub and boating facility at Exmouth's Tantabiddi Boat Ramp to support
recreational and commercial users, improve safety and the overall visitor
experience at this drawcard tourist destination;
- $93 million towards the first tranche of sport
and recreation infrastructure upgrades across WA, including the regions;
- an additional $40 million toward the
Transforming Bunbury's Waterfront project, with $5.7 million to complete
construction of Stage 2B and $34.1 million for Stage 3 Phase 1 works;
- $25.2 million to establish a Regional
Racing Fund for key infrastructure upgrades at up to 24 racing, harness, turf
and trotting clubs;
-
$22.5 million towards the construction of a
new aquatic facility in South Hedland;
- $15.5 million towards the upgrade and expansion
of the indoor courts at the Leschenault Leisure Centre;
- $7.5 million for the Newman Youth and Community
Hub;
- $6 million as part of the Women's Sport
Boost to encourage participation of women and girls in sport, including
$3 million to upgrade Geraldton Building Services and Cabinets Sports Park
with new unisex changerooms, and $1.5 million towards a new pavilion and
women's changerooms at Dwellingup Oval;
- $4 million to establish the Veterans' Facilities
fund to help RSL and veterans organisations upgrade their local facilities and
RSL clubs;
- $3 million to continue an uplift in baseline
funding to financial counselling services across the State, including services
in Hedland, Karratha, Newman, Roebourne and Exmouth;
-
$2.8 million to the Geraldton Netball
Association for upgrades to its Wonthella facility;
- $800,000 for North Pinjarra Park upgrades;
- $750,000 for Edenvale Heritage Precinct upgrades;
- $750,000 for Harvey Accessible Playground; and
- $500,000 for the Janyba Centre for Culture, Arts
and Story in Broome.
The
2025-26 State Budget also includes $19 million for regional initiatives
which will drive regional tourism across Western Australia and support
local jobs and businesses as part of in the Government's Outdoor Adventure Tourism
package, including:
- $5 million for Stage One of the Jarrahdale
Trails Centre, which will provide a new hub for the growing trails tourism
industry in Serpentine‑Jarrahdale;
- $3.5 million to deliver upgraded facilities
at William Bay National Park, including pedestrian access to Elephant Rocks and
Greens Pool and to realign the Munda Biddi Trail;
- $3 million to increase the marron
population and boost recreational fishing opportunities at Harvey, Logue Brook,
and Wellington Dams in the South West region;
- $2.9 million to expand the kiosk and
undertake water and electrical upgrades to facilities at Wellington National
Park;
- $1.7 million to deliver a mountain bike
trail in the Kalgoorlie area;
- $1.5 million to create a new walking and
cycling path from Serpentine town to the Serpentine National Park; and
- $200,000 to plan
an all-abilities fishing jetty in Albany.
The Cook Government's 2025-26 State Budget delivers another strong surplus for Western Australia, and with debt
levels remaining affordable, puts WA in the best position to invest in what
matters for all Western Australians.
For more information, visit https://www.ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au
Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:
"This Budget delivers on
my government's vision for regional Western Australia.
"We want all Western
Australians - no matter if they live in our suburbs, regional centres, towns,
or remote communities - to have local job opportunities, and access to essential
services and infrastructure.
"The 2025-26 Budget will
see billions of dollars invested in our regions, driving economic growth,
diversifying regional economies, and creating jobs for our future generations.
"Only the Cook Labor
Government can deliver this future - a future that is Made in WA."
Comments attributed to Regional Development Minister Stephen Dawson:
"Our State Budget
reinforces our government's commitment to the regions.
"The Cook Labor
Government is paving the way to ensure our communities have the resources they
need to thrive including better roads, quality healthcare and access to
housing.
"Through Made in WA, the
projects we are investing in today will bolster our regional economies now and
into the future.
"Regional WA plays a
significant role and our investments announced today in the State Budget
reflect just that."
