• Another round of the WA Student Assistance payment, worth up to $250 for every WA school student, delivered this State Budget
• Residential Battery Rebate and no interest loan scheme to deliver relief to around 100,000 WA households
• Budget also delivers on key election commitments across cost of living, education, health, housing – and many more
• Delivering on local commitments to the Midland, Swan Hills, Forrestfield and Kalamunda electorates

 

 

At the recent State Election, the Cook Labor Government said tackling cost of living was our number one priority. The 2025-26 State Budget proves it by delivering on our commitments and backing WA families and households once again.

 

This State Budget provides an additional $963 million in cost of living relief for WA families, including another round of the popular WA Student Assistant payment worth $150 for each kindergarten and primary school student, or $250 for each high school student.

 

In addition to the WA Student Assistance Payment, cost of living relief in the 2025-26 Budget includes:

 

• Funding for the Residential Battery Rebate and No Interest Loan Scheme to deliver living relief to around 100,000 WA households
• Establishing the new one zone fare cap across the Perth public transport network and keeping public transport free for school students from 2026
• Expanding our successful free TAFE program to some construction courses
• Working with the Federal Government to provide another $150 in energy bill relief for WA households

 

 

Our investment in health this Budget includes $3.2 billion into health infrastructure to ensure we can unlock more hospital beds – as well as $1.4 billion into health and mental health services, including more doctors and nurses, to keep Western Australians healthy.

 

As part of these investments, we’re also delivering:

 

• $10 million to progress planning for St John of God Midland and Royal Perth Hospital
• $61 million to expand the WA Virtual ED program and three older Adult Care Hubs
• $62 million to modernise medical and imaging equipment, supported by a contribution from Telethon

 

 

Every effort is being made across this Budget to see every Western Australian with a roof over their head. This Budget delivers $1.4 billion in additional housing initiatives focused on boosting supply and affordability around the State, increasing total additional investment to $5.8 billion since 2021-22.

 

These include:

 

• $246 million to deliver an additional 548 social and affordable homes
• $119 million to reduce transfer duty for first home buyers on both established homes and land purchases for new homes
• $101 million Housing Enabling Infrastructure Fund investment in power and water infrastructure to unlock land for 33,000 future homes. This builds on a recent $105 million investment to unlock up to 28,000 new homes
• $75 million for no and low interest loans to support affordable build to rent developments get off the ground sooner

 

 

The Budget continues our record of strong investment in community services that support the most vulnerable and keep our community safe – with this Budget including:

 

• $250 million boost to frontline child protection and out of home care services to support young people in care
• $127 million of additional investment to bolster our fire and emergency response capability
• $33 million to curb the scourge of FDV including expanding Safe at Home, bringing total investment to $541 million over the past five years
• $10 million to expand homelessness outreach services
  

 

 

This Budget includes $10.7 billion of investment in transport infrastructure over the next four years to connect communities, reduce congestion, and create a more accessible State.

 

These include:

 

• $152 million to deliver the Suburban Flat Fare
• A further $103 million for the transition to a fully electric bus fleet
• $18 million to provide half price Transwa fares from 1 January 2026
  

 

 

METRONET is also in the home stretch with the last major projects set to open soon. To date, we have rolled out 61.5 kilometres of new track and 20 new stations – forever changing the face of WA, including the Morley-Ellenbrook Line, High Wycombe Station, the Midland Station Multi-Storey Car Park, and the new Midland Station due to be completed in 2025-26.

 

The Budget includes almost $1.5 billion new spending on education initiatives and infrastructure our growing State needs. As part of this investment, we’re delivering:

 

• $708 million investment to meet student enrolment growth for both government and non-government schools, including $395 million to support students with disability
• $89 million for the second round of the WA Student Assistance Payment
• $43 million towards the first tranche of our commitment to Cool the Schools through air conditioning upgrades at local schools including Dawson Park, High Wycombe, Mundaring, Kalamunda, and Mount Helena Primary Schools
• $28 million to expand the School Breakfast Program

 

 

We are delivering our Made in WA plan – playing on our strengths as a global resources leader and diversifying our economy to build resilience.

 

This Budget we are injecting a further $2.7 billion into economic infrastructure to boost our economic capacity and unlock opportunities across our State for decades to come, including:

 

• $83 million to produce electric buses and ferries in WA, building on the success of railcar manufacturing
• $50 million Local Battery Manufacturing Program for grants and low interest loans to support locally produced residential and industrial batteries
• $25 million toward our commitment to manufacture transmission towers and components at manufacturing facilities in Forrestfield and Picton

 

 

As a result of our responsible financial management, we will continue to do what’s right for WA – including delivering on our commitments for Western Australians, which is why we’re also delivering:

 

• $13 million to Binar Futures for the development of a new community sport hub
• $1.1 million to resurface the Maida Vale netball courts
• $8 million to build Bullsbrook Fire Station
• Planning underway for major upgrades to Eastern Hills Senior High School

 

 

 

Comments attributed to Midland MLA Steve Catania:

 

“I’m very proud to be a part of the Cook Labor Government’s first Budget in this term of Government, which reflects the priorities and commitments outlined to the Midland electorate during the state election campaign.

 

“Highlights of this budget for our community include the commencement of planning for the St John of God Midland Hospital ED expansion, a $13 million investment into Binar for a new community sports hub, and the delivery of my various commitments to deserving local community organisations.

 

“I look forward to seeing how this budget will positively impact our area and the broader state.”

 

 

Comments attributed to Forrestfield MLA Stephen Price:

 

“This budget continues to do what’s right for WA and delivers the commitments I made to the Forrestfield electorate. These commitments include investing $3.52 million in our local schools; $1.96 million in our sport and recreation clubs and $140,000 for community groups in our community.”

 

 

Comments attributed to Swan Hills MLA Michelle Maynard:

 

“I am proud of the forward-looking vision of this budget, which not only delivers for Swan Hills but for our state.

 

“I look forward to delivering the larger infrastructure projects such as the Bullsbrook Fire Station and upgrades to Bells Rapid Footbridge, but also our local commitments working with our P&Cs, Schools, community groups and sporting clubs.”

 

 

Comments attributed to Member of the Legislative Council, Hon Klasey Hirst:

 

“This State Budget delivers real cost-of-living relief and invests in the services that matter most — from healthcare and housing to local infrastructure. It backs communities across the state, including the Kalamunda electorate, with support for schools, grassroots clubs, and better access to local services.

 

“It reflects the Cook Labor Government’s commitment to building stronger, more connected communities across WA.”

 

 

Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:

 

“This Budget continues my government’s focus on supporting Western Australian households. 

 

“We are delivering a broad range of cost-of-living measures, including our commitments made as part of the 2025 election. 

 

“Commitments such as our $337 million investment in residential battery rebates and no interest loans will provide ongoing cost-of-living relief and make batteries accessible to all Western Australians.

 

“Our second round of the WA Student Assistance Payment has already assisted the families of more than 340,000 Western Australian students, with applications closing soon.

 

“Families will also benefit from many other measures such as new one-zone flat fare for commuters, expanding our fee free and lower fee TAFE courses, School Breakfast Program and much more.”