- Budget delivers real cost-of-living relief and housing in the Wheatbelt region
- Cook Labor Government to invest $9.5 billion in infrastructure throughout regional Western Australia over the next four years
- More than $4 billion delivered through Royalties for Regions Program
- Part of Cook Labor Government's priority of delivering jobs, health, education, creating safe and inclusive communities, and protecting and restoring WA's environment
The Cook Labor Government is delivering for the Wheatbelt region in the 2026-27 State Budget through investments in health, housing, and jobs for the region, while providing significant cost-of-living relief for families.
As part of the 2026-27 State Budget, the Cook Labor Government will be investing in a range of measures to support the Wheatbelt so it can continue playing its role in WA's nation-leading economy.
To support this vision, the following initiatives will help unlock and deliver more land supply, build thousands of homes, and help first home buyers get into the market in the Wheatbelt:
- $1.6 billion for the construction and refurbishment of more than 1,800 social and affordable dwellings, 500 homes for first home buyers, land acquisition, and maintenance;
- participation in the Commonwealth's 100,000 Homes for First Home Buyers program, supporting the delivery of 11,000 dwellings over eight years reserved exclusively for first home buyers;
- $419 million for more than 500 Government Regional Officer Housing (GROH) and key government worker dwellings through the Seven Cities New Build program, including new houses, expansion of the GROH Investor Program, and establishment of a revamped Home Ownership Subsidy Scheme including shared equity options;
- $250 millionKeystart Presale Guarantee and $250 million First Home Buyer Commercial Financing Facilityto help developers meet presale thresholds and support more apartment and affordable homes project for first home buyers to get off the ground sooner;
- $297 million tax package to support first home buyers and boost housing supply, including first homeowner duty concessions, increased first homeowner grant cap, and an extension of the off-the-plan transfer duty concession;
- $50 million top-up to the Regional Housing Support Fund, increasing the fund's value to $75 million. The fund provides grants to support local housing and residential subdivision projects in regional WA;
- $48 million to boost modular housingand apartment construction capacity via investment in advanced manufacturing facilities in Kwinana and Neerabup. The facilities are expected to provide prefabricated housing and infrastructure to regional WA.
Real cost-of-living relief will be delivered to Western Australians living in the Wheatbelt through a range of initiatives, with the Cook Labor Government committing $198 million for a $100 Fuel Support Payment available to those with a valid driver's licence.
A further $89.5 million will be invested to deliver a third round of the Western Australian Student Assistance Payment, which will provide $150 for each primary and kindergarten student and $250 for each secondary school student - including for the families of around 10,900 students in the Wheatbelt.
Other cost-of-living relief measures funded as part of this Budget include:
- $36.4 million to continue to provide free public transport for school students, including in Narrogin;
- $35 million for a 10 per cent uplift in the value of the Energy Assistance Payment, Dependent Child Rebate, and Air Conditioning Allowance;
- $16 million to extend Energy Ahead, helping Western Australians who are experiencing financial stress to improve their energy efficiency and save on their power bills;
- $14.5 million to establish a new Foster and Grand Carer Gold Card, offering concessions to carers providing a stable home and support to children and young people in outofhome care arrangements; and
- $13.5 million to extend the WA Rent Relief Program.
The Cook Labor Government's vision is to diversify WA's nation-leading economy so that it remains the strongest in the nation will be secured in the Wheatbelt through the following investments as part of the 2026-27 State Budget.
This includes $2 million to support ongoing negotiations and due diligence on the State's freight rail buyback proposal.
Other initiatives funded in this Budget include:
- $973 million for Western Power to respond to demand growth, expand the network, and increase electricity capacity infrastructure for industrial and residential customers;
- more than $150 million in loans to manufacturers to improve energy efficiency and invest in advanced manufacturing equipment as part of the Made in WA Energy Affordability Investment Program;
- $124 million to continue lower-fee and fee-free TAFE in 2027, including in Northam, Narrogin, Merredin, and Moora;
- $113.5 million for road maintenance across WA;
- $33.1 million contribution to the nationally co-ordinated Fuel Excise Relief Program, and a further $4.5 million for the deferral of heavy vehicle fee increases, supporting industry in the Wheatbelt;
- $30 million to topup the Investment Attraction Fund for a second round of grants through the New Energies Industries Funding Stream;
- $18 million to deliver Aboriginal tourism initiatives under the Jina: Western Australian Aboriginal Tourism Action Plan 2026-2030; and
- $1.4 million to deliver a second round of the Small Business Growth Grants.
The 2026-27 State Budget will ensure all regional Western Australians can access the healthcare they need, when they need it, through the following investments:
- $294 million additional investment in regional health infrastructure;
- $214 million for an uplift to WA Health's State-wide maintenance programs;
- $143 million for additional investment in medical equipment and imaging replacement program throughout WA;
- $68.6 million for the WA Country Health Service to maintain regional palliative care, renal care, cancer and eye services, and continued support programs;
- $49.8 million to continue the State's investment in the Child Development Services System Reform Program;
- $43.8 million to continue a funding uplift for existing community mental health and alcohol and other drug services;
- $29.7 million to continue and expand suicide prevention initiatives;
- $27.1 million to continue the free flu vaccine, FluMist, and RSV immunisation programs; and
- $4.1 million to expand the Enhanced Access Community Pharmacy Pilot project.
Quality infrastructure and services will also be supported through the Budget with $61 million to be invested in upgrades to Toodyay Road and a number of timber bridges to be replaced as part of the $127.4 million Regional Bridge Replacement Program.
Significant education-related initiatives funded in this Budget include:
- $310million uplift in funding to support students with disability at public schools;
- $219 million boost to school maintenance, benefiting schools in the Wheatbelt;
- More than $100 million for targeted maintenance and minor works projects across WA, which includes work on roofs, hardcourts, and toilets, as well as additional investment in the Schools Clean Energy Technology Fund, and $5.4 million works on the piggery at the WA College of Agriculture in Cunderdin;
- $45.8 million to fully fund Cool the Schools airconditioning upgrades at 45 schools, including at Bindoon Primary School and Mukinbudin District High School;
- $15.7 million to expand training and support for staff working with students with disability; and
- $7.7 million to meet high demand for swimming lessons and support supply of swimming teachers, particularly in regional areas.
The Cook Labor Government will continue building safe and inclusive communities so that all Western Australians feel secure at home and at work through the following investments:
- $421 million for child protection services, in addition to $52.4 million extra support for foster carers and grandcarers;
- $361 million for Foundational Supports - Thriving Kids services over the next five years, to provide support for children aged 8 and under with developmental delays or autism;
- $91.1 million funding boost for new and continuing homelessness services;
- $61.4 million to continue the Target 120 early intervention program for young people coming into repeated contact with WA Police, including in Northam;
- $60.7 million to provide ongoing funding for road safety community awareness campaigns and school education programs across WA;
- $44.6 million uplift in operational funding for family and domestic violence refuges and safe houses across WA, inclusive of $11.6 million in operating costs for five new or expanded refuges currently under development, including one in Narrogin;
- $31.2 million towards the fire and emergency fleet replacement throughout WA;
- $29.5 million uplift in resourcing for the Home Stretch WA service supporting young people as they age out of the child protection system, including in the Wheatbelt;
- $24.2 million for WA Police to continue Operation Regional Shield in regional WA; and
- $20.3 million uplift in funding for at-risk youth services around the State.
Protecting and restoring WA's environment so future generations can continue enjoying its economic and lifestyle benefits will be secured with the following investments:
- $52.9million to establish a Regional Water Source Fund for water source planning and investigation in regional Western Australia;
- $24.7 million to continue biosecurity and animal disease preparedness activities; and
- a further $8.5 million towards the Fisheries Support Package, including funding for an enhanced science program and upgrades to the FishCatchWA app.
For more information, visit ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au
Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:
"Wherever you live in Western Australia, this Budget delivers for Western Australians and keeps WA strong.
"The Wheatbelt has been central to WA becoming the strongest economy in the nation and will be critical to our future economic success.
"That's why this Budget will help seize the big job-creating projects in regional WA, with investments in the economic infrastructure needed to expand our Seven Cities as hubs to provide quality services to the towns and remote communities throughout the regions."
Comments attributed to Regional Development Minister Stephen Dawson:
"The Cook Labor Government is investing in theWheatbeltregion to support strong local economies, quality frontlineservices,and more jobs opportunities.
"From health and housing to roads and cost-of-living measures, our government is working to deliver projects and outcomes that make a real difference in our regional communities
"Whether people live in one of our Seven Cities, a small town or a remote community, this government is committed to delivering for regional WA."
Comments attributed to Wheatbelt Minister Sabine Winton:
"Regional Western Australia remains a major priority for the Cook Labor Government, with the Wheatbelt continuing to present strong opportunities for growth and development.
"We know how important the agriculture sector is and that the Wheatbelt is a key to our renewable energy and manufacturing future.
"This government is continuing to back the Wheatbelt through targeted investments that will improve connectivity, strengthen essential services, and support the long-term future of the region."
Comments attributed to Sandra Carr MLC:
"I'm proud to be part of a government that continues to deliver for Wheatbelt families by investing in health, housing, and jobs to support a strong regional economy, while backing key infrastructure like road upgrades and freight rail to keep the region moving.
"We're also delivering real cost-of-living relief for families, while boosting hosing supply to support local communities and ensure the regions continue to play its vital role in WA's nation-leading economy."
