Last updated: 25 September 2020 at 11.44am
WA's recent low numbers are encouraging, and the WA Government thanks the community for playing their part and taking this seriously.
We cannot be complacent and need everyone in WA to stay the course. This will give us the best chance of protecting every Western Australian.
Key announcements
COVID Event Plans
18 September 2020
From Friday, 25 September a public or private event involving more than 500 patrons that requires local government authority approval will need an approved COVID Event Plan as part of that process.
Similar to the industry specific COVID Safety Guidelines and Plans first introduced in May, the COVID Event Guidelines and Plans will ensure event organisers play their role in keeping Western Australians safer, reduce the potential risk and spread of COVID-19 and give event-goers more confidence to attend and participate in events.
For more information, visit COVID-19 coronavirus: Events.
Phase 4 of the WA COVID-19 roadmap extended
18 August 2020
Based on the latest health advice, Phase 4 of the WA COVID-19 roadmap has been extended until Friday, 23 October.
The new tentative date for the roll-out of phase 5 will be Saturday, 24 October.
A final decision on whether Phase 5 can proceed on this date or if the date can be brought forward will be decided in October.
Latest news
Payroll tax exemption extended for JobKeeper payments
23 September 2020
WA businesses will continue to be exempt from paying payroll tax under the JobKeeper Payment scheme until March 28, 2021.
Local jobs created through Albany Ring Road project
23 September 2020
Construction on the $175 million Albany Ring Road project is underway, creating up to 1,000 local jobs and flow-on economic benefits for Western Australia’s south-west.
The project is jointly funded, with the Commonwealth Government providing $140 million and the WA Government contributing $35 million.
Australian contractor Decmil Southern Pty Ltd is undertaking construction.
School Leavers 2020 update
22 September 2020
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the WA School Leavers program with organised events from Monday, 23 November through to Thursday, 26 November will take on a slightly different feel this year.
A night-time entertainment zone will again be established in Dunsborough, with WA Police determining how the event schedule may look.
WA Police is working with partner organisations and the Department of Health for potential options for structured activities that comply with the relevant Directions and all other COVID-19 health requirements.
The key focus for WA Police, with respect to School Leavers, is to provide harm minimisation and safety to the School Leavers and the local south-west community.
School leavers and parents are encouraged to download the free Leavers App, which will be updated with this year’s information by 1 November. It will have all the latest information on events, getting around, and tips to stay safe.
For more information, a dedicated website and Facebook page have been created.
$18 million package to build defence manufacturing workforce
22 September 2020
An $18.34 million package has been unveiled to help build a pipeline of skilled workers to support upcoming defence projects to WA and enhance the State’s capacity to secure future defence work, which is expected to be valued up to $75 billion nationally over the next decade.
WA architects chosen for Kununurra training facility
21 September 2020
Architects from Kununurra and Perth have been appointed to design a new $6 million health and hospitality training centre at the Kununurra campus of North Regional TAFE, as part of the $5.5 billion WA Recovery Plan.
New Aboriginal short stay accommodation for Kununurra
21 September 2020
$20 million of government funding has been provided as part of the WA Recovery Plan to build the East Kimberley Aboriginal Short Stay Accommodation project.
Broome’s job-boosting Chinatown development moves forward
21 September 2020
Broome's Chinatown Revitalisation project is moving ahead, with Georgiou Group chosen as the preferred lead contractor to deliver the job-creating works for Stage 2.
The works are expected to start by November 2020, creating more than 70 jobs for locals.
Stage 1 was completed in May 2019.
The project will create a signature tourism precinct with hospitality, entertainment and retail options to better attract visitors, create jobs and stimulate the local economy.
New City Deal to create jobs and transform Perth
20 September 2020
A new billion-dollar partnership between the Commonwealth Government, WA Government and City of Perth has been finalised, unlocking economic benefits and opportunities for the Perth CBD.
The $1.5 billion City Deal will re-energise Perth, bring government and private investment into the CBD, create almost 10,000 jobs, and encourage more people back into the city, which will create flow on economic benefits for small businesses.
Matagarup Bridge zip line opening this summer
19 September 2020
Western Australians can register to be one of the first to ride the new Matagarup Bridge zip line when it opens this summer.
International arrivals into WA
18 September 2020
Currently, 525 international arrivals are permitted to enter WA per week as part of a cap which was agreed to by the Commonwealth.
At National Cabinet, it was agreed the WA Government would work cooperatively to safely and sensibly lift the international arrival cap, to get more Australians home.
As part of the unique agreement, WA will receive an additional 200 international arrivals from Monday, 28 September 2020.
From Monday, 12 October, WA will then take an additional 300 international arrivals per week.
This will bring the State’s weekly intake of international arrivals to 1025 people by Monday, 12 October.
This will be done with the cooperation from the Commonwealth to ensure WA has more ADF personnel available to assist in managing hotel quarantine.
New program to test wastewater for COVID-19
18 September 2020
WA’s wastewater will soon be tested for COVID-19, with an evaluation program to expand PCR testing to the State’s sewerage network.
COVID-19 Industry Support Fund to assist WA travel agents
18 September 2020
Western Australian travel agents will be able to access support from a new $3 million fund to help sustain their business as they deal with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Travel to and around WA
WA State border closure
Strict border controls are in place to limit the spread of COVID-19. You cannot enter Western Australia without an exemption.
For more information visit COVID-19: Travel advice.
Returning to Australia from international travel
If you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident arriving back in Australia, you’ll be subject to the Australian Government’s mandatory quarantine period of 14 days at your first Australian destination.
You will not be permitted to travel domestically (including to your home) or continue on any domestic connections, until the 14-day mandatory quarantine period has been completed.
For more information visit the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Smart Traveller.
Health and wellbeing
Hygiene
Every Western Australian needs to play their part to help stop the spread of COVID-19 — this means following good hygiene habits and exercising physical distancing.
More information on hygiene.
Hospital visiting hours
Visiting conditions at Western Australian public hospitals were tightened to limit the flow of people through hospitals to better protect patients and staff. As part of Phase 4, they have been partially eased.
For more information see hospital visiting hours.
Business and industry
Support for small and medium businesses
The WA Government is investing $114 million to support small and medium businesses.
More information on how we are supporting small and medium businesses.
Commercial tenants and landlords
The WA Government has set aside $100 million for land tax relief grants for commercial landlords.
More information on financial relief for commercial landlords.
$1 billion COVID-19 economic and health relief package unveiled
The WA Government has announced a $1 billion economic and health relief package to support Western Australian businesses, households and community groups, and to boost the response by health and frontline services to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For more information see COVID-19 economic and health relief package.
Community
Prohibited activities and venues
Restrictions relating to food and drinks, retail, beauty and personal care services, entertainment venues, leisure and recreation and non-residential institutions remain in place.
For more information see prohibited activities and venues.
Aged care and the elderly
Protecting the elderly is a priority. Restrictions have been placed on visits to aged care facilities.
For more information see aged care facilities.
Your consumer rights
Consumer Protection has issued information about your rights related to tenancy, shopping, services, events and travel affected by COVID-19.
For more information visit COVID-19 Consumer Protection FAQ.
Support for tenants and landlords
The WA Government has announced support for tenants and landlords, adding to the $1.7 billion stimulus and relief package for businesses and households.
For more information visit COVID-19 coronavirus: Western Australian Government response.
Other useful information
- Information regarding the Australian Government’s updated COVID-19 measures (external site)
- Information regarding COVID-19 from the Department of Health (external site)
- Information regarding COVID-19 from the Department of Education (external site)
- Advice on event and travel cancellations due to COVID-19 (external site)
- Information regarding COVID-19 for remote communities (external site)
- Information regarding COVID-19 for relief for households (external site)
- Information regarding COVID-19 for business (external site)
- WA Government Pandemic Plan
COVID-19 advice in other languages
Information and advice translated in languages other than English.