- Programs focused on water safety, child safety and falls prevention
- Investment aimed at improving health outcomes and reducing pressure on hospitals
- Funding to support leading community organisations delivering prevention initiatives
- Cook Labor Government putting WA first and building safer communities
The Cook Labor Government is investing more than $27 million in injury prevention initiatives across Western Australia, helping keep people safe while reducing pressure on the State’s hospital system.
The investment will support leading not-for-profit organisations delivering evidence-based programs focused on water safety, child injury prevention, falls prevention and broader community safety initiatives.
Preventable injuries remain one of WA’s biggest public health challenges, contributing to thousands of hospitalisations every year and more than four deaths every day State-wide.
More than $7.4 million will support Royal Life Saving WA’s Water Safety Program, which delivers CPR and lifesaving training, water safety education and public awareness campaigns aimed at preventing drownings and serious water-related injuries.
The funding will strengthen longstanding initiatives including Keep Watch, which has helped protect toddlers around water for more than 25 years, and Be A Mermate, targeting young people aged 15 to 24, one of the groups at highest risk of drowning in WA.
The expanded program will also place greater focus on helping primary school-aged children continue swimming and water safety lessons as they grow older through delivering community-wide education and awareness initiatives.
More than $6.4 million will support the Child Safety Program delivered by Kidsafe WA, helping prevent childhood injuries through education, research and community awareness campaigns.
Injuries remain the leading cause of death among Australian children and young people, with more children aged from infancy to 14 years dying from injury than from cancer, asthma and infectious diseases combined.
The funding will also support the work of Kidsafe WA in addressing emerging injury risks linked to unsafe products, including nicotine and vape products, button batteries and quad bikes.
More than $10.2 million will support Injury Matters’ Stay On Your Feet program, helping older Western Australians stay active, independent and connected to their communities while reducing falls-related injuries.
Falls continue to place significant pressure on the health system, with more than 33,500 hospitalisations due to falls recorded in WA in 2023 alone.
Western Australia has the lowest rate of related hospitalisations for falls in the country, highlighting the success of prevention-focused initiatives.
A further $4.6 million will support Injury Matters’ Know Injury program, strengthening injury prevention co-ordination, training, data sharing and community safety initiatives across WA.
As stated by Health and Preventative Health Minister Meredith Hammat:
“Preventing injuries means fewer hospitalisations, better health outcomes and a healthier Western Australia.
“This investment supports practical, evidence-based programs that are helping save lives, reduce harm and keep people well.
“From preventing drownings and keeping children safe, to helping older Western Australians remain active and independent, these initiatives are making a real difference in communities across the State.”
As stated by Aged Care and Seniors Minister Simone McGurk:
“The Cook Labor Government is committed to supporting older Western Australians to age well, with dignity and independence.
“More than $10 million will be invested into programs that support older Western Australians stay active, independent and connected to their communities to help reduce falls-related injuries.
“A focus on falls prevention will mean fewer hospitalisations and keep older adults healthy and well in the community.”
