- 2025-26 State Budget delivers on Cook Labor Government's vision for the Kimberley
- More than $10 billion invested in the regions
- Significant investments in health, community safety, education and housing
- More than $4 billion delivered through Royalties for Regions Program
- Ensuring people living in regional Western Australia have access to the infrastructure and services they need
The Cook Labor Government is delivering its vision for the Kimberley, with the 2025-26 State Budget providing significant investments in health infrastructure, mental health services, community safety, housing and community services.
Billions of dollars will be invested in the regions, supporting the Cook Government's commitment to Western Australians, that no matter if they live in our suburbs, regional centres, towns, or remote communities, they will have local job opportunities, and access to major services and infrastructure.
The Budget will help keep costs down for Kimberley families with billions of dollars in rebates and concessions, and household fees and charges being kept affordable with below inflation increases for a sixth consecutive year.
More than $4 billion in Royalties for Regions funding will also go towards projects which enhance regional communities, ensuring they remain exceptional places to live, work and raise a family.
Western Australians living in the Kimberley will benefit from the Cook Government's $121 million investment in regional health and mental health infrastructure and services. This includes:
- $12.2million to implement a Virtual Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Hub, which will provide virtual mental health treatment and support services for children and their families;
- $10.8 million for key Kimberley Health initiatives including $8.8 million to deliver the Derby Wellness Centre and $2 million to progress planning for a low-medium alcohol and other drug withdrawal facility in Broome;
- $8.2 million to establish GP ASK to connect WA GPs to dedicated and experienced specialists without the need for patients to travel to a hospital;
- $3.4 million for the Dampier Peninsula Clinics Transition to Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services; and
- $829,000 for the purchase of land to enable the construction of the Broome Sobering Up Centre.
The 2025-26 State Budget delivers cost-of-living support with rebates and concessions for people across regional WA, including:
- $3.5billion over the next fouryears to keep regional water and power prices in line with metropolitan prices;
- $337 million towards the WA Residential Battery Scheme, providing Horizon Power customers with up to $7,500 towards the cost of a household battery together with the Federal Government's Cheaper Home Batteries Program, plus households with incomes of less than $210,000 per annum can access no-interest loans of up to $10,000;
- $88.7 million in cost-of-living relief to families for school expenses, including $250 for every secondary student and $150 for every primary and kindergarten student, through the second round of the Western Australian Student Assistance Payment;
- $25.7 million to deliver a further $100 increase to the Regional Pensioner Travel Card, bringing the total card value to $775 per year;
- $28 million to expand the School Breakfast Program to provide free breakfasts five days a week at more than 650 schools, including in the Kimberley;
- Halving the costs of Transwa rail and coach fares from 1January2026;
- Increasing the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme fuel subsidy from $0.26perkilometre to $0.40perkilometre at a cost of $18.5million; and
- $8 million for the Country Week Assistance Program, reducing travel and accommodation costs for families.
The Cook Government will invest $219.7million in regional primary and secondary school infrastructure, upgrades and new builds, as well as a range of measures to support families across regional Western Australia, including early education and outside of school hours care. Key initiatives include:
- $29 million to trial nation-leading free full-time, school-based kindy, which includes $2.3 million for minor infrastructure upgrades to five regional pilot sites;
- $30.3 million for the School of Isolated and Distance Education to support more students learning in regional WesternAustralia;
- $10 million for additional transportable classrooms in regional schools;
- $8.6million to facilitate a range of infrastructure works in the regions as part of the New Schools and Maintenance Vision commitment;
- $8million for the Remote Schools Infrastructure Program to address critical infrastructure needs at 14 eligible schools in the remote Kimberley region; and
- More than $4million as part of the government's small commitments to support minor works and noninfrastructure projects at more than 70 public and nongovernment schools.
About $277 million per annum will be invested to deliver Vocational Education and Training, career and employment advice, and TAFE support services across regional WesternAustralia, with further asset investment of $65 million towards regional TAFE projects. This includes:
- $11.6million for another round of the TAFE Modern Equipment program to enhance facilities and infrastructure assets in the regions;
- $8.6million to deliver fee-free TAFE-housing and construction courses, upskilling the local workforce to build regional houses; and
- $2.4 million for the Adult Apprentice Incentive to cover the wage gap for employers engaging apprentices aged 21 years and over.
The Cook Government's budget will deliver a $1.4 billion investment to support housing and homelessness measures. Key regional housing initiatives include:
- $103.8 million in funding to deliver more Government Regional Officer Housing homes for essential government workers in the regions;
- $25 million for the Regional Housing Support Fund that will provide grants of up to $5 million to support new housing and land supply across regional WA, assisting with a wide range of costs, with local government projects and regional subdivisions eligible;
- $13.7 million for regional staff accommodation costs to attract and retain staff in regional areas - mainly for properties in the North West region;
- $5 million for the Water Lily Place Housing Development; and
- $5.3 million from the Housing Enabling Infrastructure Fund for wastewater infrastructure to enable up to 550 residential lots in Kununurra.
The 2025-26 State Budget is investing in the transport infrastructure that our regional communities need to stay connected, including $250 million over five years to expand the Regional Road Safety Program to local roads across the State and the following key initiatives in the Kimberley:
- $14million for first point of entry infrastructure at the Port of Wyndham;
- $1.5million for a barge landing facility at the Port of Derby; and
- $500,000 to create a business case for cruise terminal facilities at the Port of Broome.
The Cook Government will continue to help build safe and strong regional communities with funding for key Kimberley initiatives, such as:
- more than $480million perannum for services provided by the WesternAustralia Police Force's regional districts, including 123police stations and around 1,900police officers and staff;
- $390million perannum on court and tribunal administration in the regions, community corrections, and the operation of the State's eight regional prisons (and workcamps);
- $14.3million to redevelop a WesternAustralia Police Academy accommodation block, which will be used to provide free accommodation to regional recruits to encourage people living in regional areas to become police officers;
- $10million, as part of the Fire and Emergency Services Package, towards the construction of a new evacuation centre and multipurpose complex in Fitzroy Crossing;
- $5.9 million for the Kununurra Night Space;
- $5million for contracted security services and minor upgrades at regional courts;
- $3.5 million for expansion of the Community Emergency Services Manager program;
- $3.1 million towards a new State Bushfire Mitigation Branch, including 12 additional staff;
- $3 million to continue an uplift in baseline funding to financial counselling services across the State, including services in Broome, Kununurra, Fitzroy Crossing, Derby and Halls Creek; and
- $2.3 million for additional CCTV across the State to help combat anti-social behaviour including additional cameras in Broome, Derby, Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek and Kununurra.
The Cook Government is focused on diversifying regional economies, delivering more jobs throughout the length and breadth of the State:
- This includes an $20million investment to expand the Aboriginal Ranger Program in the regions.
The 2025-26 State Budget will also support local industry, community activities and recreation across regional WA. Some of the local projects and initiatives include:
- $93 million towards the first tranche of sport and recreation infrastructure upgrades across the State including $4 million towards a new playground and waterpark in Halls Creek;
- $25.2million to establish a Regional Racing Fund for key infrastructure upgrades at up to 24 racing, harness, turf and trotting clubs, including $2.6 million for the Broome Turf Club, and $45,000 for the Kununurra Race Club;
- $6 million to establish the Boosting Women and Girls Participation in Sport fund to encourage women and girls to get involved in community sport;
- $4 million to establish the Veterans Facilities fund to help RSL and veterans organisations upgrade their local facilities and RSL clubs;
- $3 million to develop a Youth Hub and basketball facility at the Marra Worra Worra Night Place - Fitzroy Crossing; and
- $500,000 towards the Janyba Centre for Culture, Story and Arts in Broome that will include an exhibition facility for tourists to showcase Kimberley culture and art, provide opportunities for local artists, promote understanding of Kimberley history and facilitate reconciliation.
The 2025-26 State Budget delivers another strong surplus for Western Australia, and with debt levels remaining affordable, puts WA in the best position to invest in what matters for all Western Australians.
For more information, visit https://www.ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au
As stated by Kimberley Minister Stephen Dawson:
"Our government understands the importance of the Kimberley and that's why we're making several important investments through our State Budget.
"We are continuing to improve access for people across the Kimberley when it comes to healthcare, housing and infrastructure.
"Our investments in the Kimberley will create jobs and further boost the region's resilience.
"The Cook Government's continued investment will ensure this unique part of our State remains a great place to call home and an incredible tourist destination."
As stated by Kimberley MLA Divina D'Anna:
"The State Budget shows that the Cook Government understands the needs and priorities for residents in the Kimberley.
"We're investing in a range of health and mental health initiatives to help our most vulnerable along with funding key infrastructure projects that will create jobs for the region.
"Through the State Budget, the Cook Government is ensuring that the Kimberley's residents will continue to see improvement in a range of services."
