- $619 million for child protection, to support critical
out‑of‑home care services, service delivery for children in care, and new
Foster and Grand Carer Gold Card
- $106.3 million for targeted family and domestic
violence prevention and response initiatives
- $530 million for WA Police to keep the community
safe
- $61.4 million for Target 120, strengthening early
intervention to steer at-risk young people away from the justice system
- $41 million to support Aboriginal-led programs
for vulnerable young people and Kimberley Juvenile Justice Strategy
- $67.2 million for new and upgraded prison
infrastructure
The Cook Labor Government
is strengthening safety across Western Australia through State Budget 2026-27,
investing in key initiatives to build strong, safe and inclusive communities.
The State Budget includes
an additional $619 million for child protection, including $421 million
for the continuation of critical out‑of‑home care services and supporting
service delivery for children in care, and a $29.5 million uplift to the Home
Stretch Program.
As part of this
significant investment in child protection, the Cook Labor Government is
backing foster, family and grandparent carers who play a vital role in caring
for young people in the community, with a $46.3 million boost to supports,
including:
- a new Foster and Grand Carer Gold Card which
will unlock additional supports including $377 off energy bills this year;
- a 10 per cent uplift to the Carer Subsidy,
Respite and Clothing Allowance; and
- a further grandcarer cost-of-living payment, on
top of the Grandcarers Support Scheme that provides $1,000 per grandchild each
year.
An additional $106.3
million has been committed to family and domestic violence prevention and
response initiatives. This includes $44.6 million to support operation of five
new family and domestic violence refuges, and continue support for existing
refuges, including therapeutic refuges in Perth and Peel.
WA Police will be
bolstered with $530 million in additional resources to help Western
Australians, no matter where they live - in our suburbs, towns, regional
centres and remote communities - feel safe.
Additional funding for WA
Police includes funding for Operation Regional Shield, an additional 15
community liaison officers, continued support for Police Community Youth Centres
in regional Western Australia, and security preparations for Land Forces Expo
2026.
A further $61.4 million will
be invested in steering at-risk young people away from the justice system with
long term funding for the Target 120 program across the State.
$41 million will be spent
on the Kimberley Juvenile Justice Strategy to support community-led initiatives
across the Kimberley that improve Aboriginal youth wellbeing and community
safety.
These commitments will be
further supported by $48.6 million to continue the delivery of Social and
Emotional Wellbeing programs, which provide mental health support services to
Aboriginal people across Western Australia.
Key programs to keep
Aboriginal children safely at home and connected to culture will receive
significant resourcing, with $37.7 million to support a State-wide rollout of
Aboriginal Representative Organisations, ensuring vulnerable children have
access to cultural supports.
$7.2 million will enable
the continuation of Aboriginal Family Led Decision Making pilots in Mirrabooka
and the Mid West-Gascoyne to deliver better outcomes for families engaged in
the child protection system.
At-risk
youth services will be granted $20.3 million for frontline services for
vulnerable young people, including $12.3 million to maintain service levels and
$7.3 million to strengthen the Home Safe program and assist young people
needing support.
$11.8 million is being
invested to extend the Dandjoo Bidi-Ak Therapeutic Children's Court Program
which supports therapeutic and culturally appropriate court processes for
vulnerable families going through child protection and care proceedings.
This will compliment
other initiatives, such as $10.8 million to enhance the Youth Justice Model of
Care, which includes expanding the individual support transition team service
from 5 days to 7 days a week at Banksia Hill Detention Centre, and $7.8 million
for the In-Roads therapeutic program that delivers co-ordinated assistance for
young people with complex needs in the court system.
State
Budget 2026-27 delivers a staged $87.7 million custodial infrastructure program
to expand and upgrade prison capacity to manage Western Australia's prisoner
population and progress long-term planning for the future.
This includes $45.6 million
to add a third 160 bed unit to the Acacia Prison expansion project, increasing
the total capacity by 480 beds.
Another $2.2 million
has been committed to progress planning for a 512-bed expansion at Casuarina
Prison, while planning is underway to expand remand capacity.
Other initiatives and
funding that form part of the Cook Labor Government's commitment to building safe
communities include:
- $29.6 million to recognise and give support to
Western Australians who have experienced child sexual abuse in institutions;
- $8.1 million to support the continued operations
of the Council of Aboriginal Services WA through an $8.1 million investment to
2030-31;
- $3.4 million invested through the Leave Safe,
Stay Safe program at Bandyup Women's Prison and Greenough Regional Prison;
- $3 million to extend support for family violence
legal processes under the Family Violence Restraining Order Shuttle
Conferencing program;
- $2 million to maintain harm reduction services
in Broome under the Needle Syringe Exchange Program;
- $1.5 million to support at-risk youth and ensure
they have a bright future through the safeSPACE programs at Police Community
Youth Centres in Kalgoorlie, Kununurra and Roebourne; and
- $1.4 million to strengthen services for new and
expecting mothers through the Perinatal Mental Health Support.
For more information,
visit ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au
Comments attributed to
Premier Roger Cook:
"My government is
prioritising building safe and inclusive communities in Western Australia.
"That's exactly what this
Budget will deliver for WA.
"We want all Western
Australians to feel secure at home, at work and in the community.
"Our responsible Budget
management has kept WA's economy the strongest in the nation so we can continue
working to end family and domestic violence, combat antisocial behaviour,
reduce youth crime, and support our police and emergency services to protect
our community."
Comments attributed to
Police and Road Safety Minister Reece Whitby:
"The Cook Labor
Government is determined to keep our community safe by investing heavily in WA
Police and supporting young at-risk people, so they are steered away from
anti-social behaviour.
"Western Australia is the
only State in this country that continues to grow its police workforce, thanks
to the Cook Labor Government's investment in the Western Australia Police
Force.
"We have more police
officers in public spaces, entertainment precincts and regional areas across
the State meaning officers are responding to incidents quicker, resolving
incidents faster and keeping the community safe.
"We're making it clear
that community safety is a key focus and we're committed to ensuring Western
Australians feel safe, supported, and protected, no matter where they live."
Comments attributed to
Emergency Services and Corrective Services Minister Paul Papalia:
"We have the toughest family
and domestic violence laws in the nation and the fastest growing population
in Australia, which has resulted in unprecedented prison population
growth. This budget delivers a clear plan to strengthen Western Australia's
corrective services system to make sure its fit for the future.
"This is about safer
communities and making sure we have the capacity to manage offenders
effectively, reduce reoffending and keep Western Australians safe."
Comments attributed to
Child Protection and Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister
Jessica Stojkovski:
"The Cook Labor
Government continues to demonstrate its commitment to building safe and
inclusive communities.
"We are investing
significantly to protect the State's most vulnerable children, while
strengthening our response to family and domestic violence to keep
victim-survivors safe and hold perpetrators to account.
"We are investing in a
safer Western Australian community for all."
Comments attributed to
Attorney General Dr Tony Buti:
"The Cook Labor
Government is helping with the efficient administration of justice through
taking innovative approaches to preventing crime.
"Our aim is to make the
justice system more efficient and accessible for everyone but also to help
children avoid getting caught up in the system to begin with.
"We are also helping with
the efficient administration of justice through more funding for our courts."
Comments attributed to
Youth Minister Hannah Beazley:
"The Cook Labor
Government is committed to supporting our young people, especially those who
are vulnerable or at-risk.
"With access to the right
services and support, our young people can reach their individual potential and
make valuable contributions to building more inclusive communities.
Comments attributed to
Community Services Minister Matthew Swinbourn:
"This Budget is about
building safe and inclusive communities by strengthening the frontline services
that support Western Australians when they need it most.
"We are investing in
early intervention and wraparound support to help vulnerable young people stay
connected to community and out of the justice system.
"This builds on our
commitment to deliver practical support on the ground, ensuring people are not
just safer, but better supported to get back on track."
