WA social housing waitlist reform

What's happening

The WA Government has announced reform of the social housing waitlist to make the pathway into housing clearer for people with the greatest need. 

The new model consists of a social housing waitlist with four priority classifications and a separate Register of Interest. These classifications will strengthen the system’s ability to provide housing to those with the greatest need. 

The reform is intended to improve fairness and transparency, and to better direct assistance to people facing the greatest barriers to housing.

Why the waitlist is changing

The existing social housing waitlist uses two categories:

1. a general waitlist, which most applicants are on
2. a smaller, priority waitlist, where people with an urgent need for housing are waitlisted. 

While this model has supported many Western Australians over time, it no longer reflects the full range and complexity of housing need today. In particular, it does not easily capture the different types and levels of need applicants may experience or support a more responsive approach to prioritising people for housing.

What the reform will involve

The reform will introduce a new way of assessing housing need and managing access to the waitlist. This will include a needs-based assessment that looks at a range of factors, including safety, health, housing circumstances, accessibility needs and cultural considerations. 

This approach will support a more detailed and responsive understanding of each applicant’s level of need. A Register of Interest will also be established for applicants who do not have an urgent housing need.

Implementation and timing

The Department of Housing and Works is leading delivery and implementation of the reform. 

Planning is underway to support the transition to the new arrangements ahead of statewide implementation in early 2028. This timeframe allows for the detailed planning and coordination needed to deliver the reform across the social housing sector.

Consultation

Engagement with community housing providers, service providers, system stewards and other stakeholders is underway to support implementation of the reform and a smooth transition to the new arrangements.

What this means now

At this stage, the reform is in planning and implementation. Existing public housing application and priority assistance arrangements will remain in place until the new model becomes operational. 

Further information will be provided as implementation progresses.