- Cook Labor Government to fulfill key election commitments, delivering almost $1billion in cost-of-living relief in 2025-26 State Budget
- New initiatives headlined by $337 million for WA Residential Battery Scheme
- Families to benefit from second round of the WA Student Assistance Payment
- Commuters to benefit from new one-zone flat fare in metro and regional WA
- Basket of household fees and charges reduced by 0.8 per cent in 2025-26 - sixth consecutive year below inflation
- $150 in energy bill relief delivered on behalf of the Commonwealth
- Additional support for Western Australian families and regional Western Australians
The Cook Labor Government is investing a further $963 million in broad-ranging cost-of-living relief measures across Western Australia as part of the 2025-26 State Budget, which delivers on key election commitments.
Cost-of-living measures in the 2025-26 Budget are headlined by a $337 million investment to support the rollout of Western Australia's Residential Battery Scheme.
Together with the Commonwealth's Cheaper Home Batteries Program, around 100,000 Western Australian households are expected to benefit, with Synergy customers receiving up to $5,000 rebates and Horizon Power customers up to $7,500 for a home battery.
The State Government will also invest $200 million to provide no-interest loans of up to $10,000 for households with incomes less than $210,000 to remove the barrier of the upfront costs of a battery. The scheme is expected to provide ongoing cost-of-living support, saving families up to $1,500 per year through installing a battery and solar panels.
Western Australian families are also already benefiting from the WA Student Assistance Payment, with $89 million provided to deliver payments of $250 per high school student and $150 per primary student. To date, the families of more than 340,000 students have received their payments, with applications due to close on 4 July.
The Cook Government continues to deliver on its commitment to keep fees and charges low, with the basket of household fees and charges to decline by 0.8 per cent in 2025-26 - the sixth consecutive year that increases have been kept below inflation.
The decrease in the basket of household fees and charges is underpinned by the new one-zone flat fare for both Transperth and Transregional commuters. Fares will be capped at just $2.80 per trip using an autoload SmartRider. The delivery of this $152 million election commitment is expected to save regular transport users about $625 per year from 1 January 2026.
WA households will also benefit from a further $150 in energy bill relief delivered on behalf of the Commonwealth Government, providing $177 million in cost-of-living support.
Further initiatives expected to assist Western Australian families in the 2025-26 Budget include:
- $21.9 million to increase the number of fee-free TAFE courses relating to residential construction including plumbing, bricklaying and plastering;
- $28 million expansion of the School Breakfast Program to over 670 schools;
- $10.4 million to extend the Ride to School Free Program for students to the 2026 school year;
- $29 million to pilot free full-time kindy in 10 sites across the State; and
- $4.2 million towards the provision of $300 KidSport vouchers, and $3.1 million to roll out the new Kids Access All Areas pass.
Additional targeted bill relief will be provided to households in need through an expansion of the Hardship Utility Grant Scheme's eligibility to include water bill assistance for social housing tenants, while an extension of the WA Rent Relief Program will continue to help put a roof over the head of the State's most vulnerable, with more than $12 million in support already provided to over 2,800 households.
The Budget also contains targeted cost-of-living relief for regional Western Australians, including:
- $18.2 million commitment to halve Transwa fares, saving on services to 240 destinations across the State;
- $18.5 million investment to increase support for those travelling for medical appointments for the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme;
- $25.7 million to increase the Regional Pensioner Travel Card by a further $100 to $775; and
- $8 million to provide assistance in the costs of travelling to Country Week.
For more information, visit https://www.ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au
As stated by 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."
As stated by Deputy Premier and Treasurer Rita Saffioti
"While it is pleasing to see inflation and interest rates easing, supporting Western Australian families is always one of our highest priorities in setting the Budget each year.
"This Budget we're delivering on our commitment to introduce the new one-zone flat fare, which means no matter where you live across the Transperth or Transregional networks you'll pay no more than $2.80 per fare with an autoload SmartRider.
"This will save regular commuters around $625 per year, while taking more cars off the road and encouraging Western Australians to make use of our world-class public transport system.
