- Cook Labor Government delivering high-quality
jobs for all Western Australians in 2026-27 State Budget
- Western Australia's nation-leading economy has
delivered more than 380,000 jobs since coming to office in 2017
- Energy transition supported by $1.4 billion for
the Clean Energy Fund and $973 million to expand Western Power's network
and capacity
- $647 million to be invested in Westport to
support economic diversification
- $91.7 million will be allocated from the Strategic
Industries Fund to the Western Trade Coast, Kemerton and Boodarie Strategic
Industrial Areas
- $153.3 million Made in WA Energy Affordability
Investment Program to help manufacturers improve their energy efficiency
The Cook Labor Government
will invest billions of dollars in new job-creating initiatives as part of the
2026-27 State Budget, helping keep Western Australia's economy the strongest in
the nation.
WA's economy has been the
strongest in the nation over the past 5 years, growing by 27.2 per cent, well
above the national rate of 20.9 per cent, underpinned by private sector growth.
More than 380,000 jobs
have proudly been created since 2017, an increase of 29.3 per cent, the highest
growth in the nation over this period.
The Cook Labor Government's
focus continues to be on keeping WA's economy strong, creating jobs and
supporting new industries, including becoming a renewable energy powerhouse.
As part of this year's
Budget, $1.4 billion will be set aside for the Clean Energy Fund.
That fund will help bring
more renewables from Collie into WA's main energy grid including through Clean
Energy Link - East, which is one of three transmission lines the government has
announced will be designated priority projects under the State Development
Act.
To further complement
that work, $973 million will be invested in Western Power's network to increase
electricity capacity for industrial and residential developments, supporting
economic diversification across WA's South.
Elsewhere, an additional $647
million will be invested in Westport, including $529 million to progress
Anketell Road upgrades in what are the first major works for this generational
development.
Westport's development
will be further supported by allocations from the Strategic Industries Fund (SIF)
to the Western Trade Coast.
In total, $91.7 million will
be allocated from the SIF to the Western Trade Coast, Kemerton and Boodarie
Strategic Industrial Areas to support investment attraction and increase the stock
of development ready industrial land, to help secure job creating projects
across a range of industries.
To support the State's
lithium industry, $30 million has been allocated to expand a fee waiver
initiative for two strategically important lithium hydroxide producers in
Western Australia.
The funding extends the
Lithium Industry Support Program announced in November 2024.
The extended initiative
will offer a waiver on government fees and charges for Tianqi Lithium Energy
Australia and Covalent Lithium until 31 December 2027. The original initiative
had been due to expire at the end of this year.
The government's Made in
WA initiative, which outlines its plans to make more buses, trains, ferries,
batteries, poles and wires locally, will also be bolstered in this Budget with
the $153.3 million Made in WA Energy Affordability Investment Program to help
manufacturers improve their energy efficiency and invest in advanced
manufacturing equipment.
Funding of $48 million will
also be provided for two Housing and Infrastructure Advanced Manufacturing
facilities in Kwinana and Neerabup to deliver medium and high-density housing,
helping achieve the government's priority of ensuring every Western Australian
has a place to call home.
$50 million has been
invested in the Port of Port Hedland to deliver the Zone 5 Bypass Channel,
enhancing port efficiency and vessel safety, as well as $4.8 million for a
business case for additional capacity at the Port of Bunbury to further boost
the South West economy.
The Cook Labor Government
will invest in the following initiatives to support WA's building and
construction industry, as well as attract and recruit skilled workers to build
homes and critical infrastructure:
- $19.6 million for an additional 330 places supported by the Group
Training Organisation Wage Subsidy Program;
- $11 million to extend the successful Construction Visa
Subsidy Program and the Build a Life in WA incentive; and
- $2.1 million to extend operations of the
Construction Migration Office.
To foster a vibrant and
creative economy, the Budget will include a $500 million Major Projects Fund to
support major projects such as Scitech and the Aboriginal Cultural Centre in
partnership with the Commonwealth and industry.
Other investments on this
front include:
- $24.6 million in preparation for the 2028
Kimberley Total Solar Eclipse;
- $24.9 million for Perth Zoo, including expanding
the African Savannah;
- $18 million to support a range of Aboriginal
tourism under the Jina: Western Australian Aboriginal Tourism Action Plan
2026-2030;
- $10 million to attract business events to Western
Australia;
- $40 million for arts organisations, festivals,
maintaining WA's arts assets, and continuing support for WA's games and
interactive technology industry; and
- $18 million to support various science and
innovation activities including support for Scitech, development of the State's
nascent space industry, the continuation of support for the health and medical
life sciences sector, and implementation of the Digital Industries
Acceleration.
The 2026-27 State Budget
builds on the Cook Labor Government's strong economic record, with 380,000 jobs
created across Western Australia since 2017.
For more information,
visit ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au
Comments attributed to
Premier Roger Cook:
"Western Australia's
economy is the strongest in the nation, and I want to keep it that way.
"That means delivering solid
Budget management and making WA a renewable energy powerhouse.
"By investing in our
State's energy transition, delivering our Made in WA plan and fostering a
vibrant and creative community, my government is continuing to diversify the
economy and create high-quality jobs for all Western Australians."
Comments attributed to Deputy Premier and Treasurer Rita Saffioti:
"Our economy is the
strongest in the nation because we've had a clear focus on creating local jobs
since we first came to office."
"We've created over
380,000 jobs since 2017, and this Budget doubles down on our efforts.
"We'll make more things
here, continue to diversify our economy, and invest in major projects like
Westport, which will underpin our State's economic growth for generations to
come.
"We are investing in the
areas that will drive WA's next phase of growth, so that we can continue to provide quality
jobs and business opportunities for Western Australians."
Comments attributed to Energy and Decarbonisation, Skills and TAFE and Manufacturing
Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
"The Cook Labor Government is supercharging the renewable energy
transition by delivering an additional $1.4 billion through our Clean Energy Fund.
"This will support major renewable projects delivering more affordable,
reliable energy for Western Australians while creating thousands of local jobs.
"This is on top of our commitment to support and diversify Western
Australia's manufacturing sector.
"We are investing in fee free and low fee TAFE so we can support local
workers get the skills they need to deliver our future infrastructure."
Comments attributed to Creative Industries Minister Simone McGurk:
"A strong and thriving creative sector means more jobs, stronger local
businesses and a more vibrant State.
"We know our creative industries are so important in making Western
Australia such a great place - which is why we are backing our creatives and
the organisations that showcase them.
"A Major Projects Fund will ensure we can progress major projects of
importance to Western Australia and partner with the Commonwealth and industry
to deliver these projects."
Comments attributed to Tourism Minister Reece Whitby:
"This investment supports
the Cook Labor Government's commitment to diversifying the economy by
strengthening the tourism sector, creating more development opportunities for
regional areas, and helping create more local jobs.
"We're attracting out-of-State
visitors and delivering new business events for Western Australia, giving us
the opportunity to showcase our tourism strengths and potential to secure
future investment for our State."
