- $18 million Cook Labor Government investment through State Budget 2026-27 to expand Aboriginal tourism initiatives under the Jina: Western Australian Aboriginal Tourism Action Plan 2026-2030
- Plan empowers and promotes Western Australia's Aboriginal tourism sector, building on the inaugural Jina: Western Australian Aboriginal Tourism Action Plan 2021-2025
- Jina Plan 2026-30 supports economic diversification, regional development, job creation, while strengthening and celebrating Aboriginal cultural heritage
The Cook Labor Government is investing an additional $18 million in State Budget 2026-27 to deliver the Jina: Western Australian Aboriginal Tourism Action Plan 2026-2030, embedding Aboriginal tourism as a key pillar of the State's tourism offerings.
The new plan aims to grow a strong, sustainable Aboriginal tourism sector that delivers lasting economic, social, and cultural benefits for Aboriginal people across Western Australia.
A total of $20 million will be spent delivering Jina Plan 2026-2030 initiatives to grow WA's Aboriginal tourism sector, including funding to partners like the Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council (WAITOC) to deliver priority actions.
The support is in addition to continued funding of $3.6 million allocated to support WAITOC's role as the peak industry body, bringing total government support for WAITOC to $8.54 million to 2030.
State Budget 2026-27 investment supportsthe Cook Labor Government's WA Visitor Economy Strategy, which focuses on positioning Western Australia as a world-class destination that immerses visitors in its unique culture, communities and environments, while growing visitor expenditure to $25 billion a year by 2033.
Building on the success of the inaugural plan, the Jina Plan 2026-2030has been developed by the Cook Labor Government in partnership with WAITOC.
The industry and government collaboration will deliver coordinated support for Aboriginal tourism, drive regional growth, and align policy and investment outcomes across the State.
There are currently more than 150 Aboriginal tourism businesses operating across Western Australia, up from 110 when the Jina Plan 2021-2025 launched. The inaugural plan supported this growth, with these businesses collectively employing 514 full-time equivalentworkers.
Visitor interest in Aboriginal tourism remains strong, with more than four in five visitors expressing interest in experiencing Aboriginal tourism in WA in 2024-25.
In 2023-24, Aboriginal tourism businesses in Western Australia contributed $55.1 million to the State's economy, an increase of more than 25 per cent from 2021-22.
The Jina Plan2021-2025 delivered strong growth and international recognition for Western Australia's Aboriginal tourism sector by building export-ready operators, increasing visitor demand, and enhancing awareness and visibility through targeted marketing campaigns and cultural activations.
Sector capability was also strengthened through the delivery of 23 tailored Aboriginal-led training programs and workforce development initiatives, with more than 380 Aboriginal participants completing training and 155 job placements achieved.
The Jina Plan 2026-2030supports the Cook Labor Government's economic diversification strategy, with a focus on regional development, job creation, and strengthening cultural heritage and connection to Country.
The new plan helps deliver the social and economic priorities outlined in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
As stated by Tourism Minister Reece Whitby:
"Aboriginal tourism is an integral part of Western Australia's tourism sector, and the Cook Labor Government recognises the importance of these unique cultural experiences through the expanded support of the Jina: Western Australian Aboriginal Tourism Action Plan 2026-2030.
"This Budget investment demonstrates the Cook Labor Government's commitment to Western Australia's Visitor Economy Strategy, which aims to grow visitor expenditure to $25 billion a year by 2033 by strengthening the tourism sector, diversifying the State's economy, creating local jobs, and supporting local businesses.
"The new Jina Plan 2026-2030 ensures that Aboriginal people and their connection to Country are respected and supported, while sharing their unique and culturally significant experiences with the rest of the world."
As stated by Aboriginal Affairs Minister Don Punch:
"The Cook Labor Government's investment in the Jina: Western Australian Aboriginal Tourism Action Plan 2026-2030 recognises the importance of enabling visitors to engage respectfully with Aboriginal cultures and experiences across Western Australia, while supporting strong outcomes for Aboriginal people and communities.
"Building on the success of the inaugural Jina Plan, the new plan continues to grow awareness of Aboriginal tourism by supporting experiences that share culture, language, knowledge, and connection to Country, and by strengthening sustainable, Aboriginalled businesses across the State.
"This investment supports lasting economic, social and cultural benefits for Aboriginal people, while further strengthening Western Australia's Aboriginal tourism sector and its contribution to the visitor economy."
