- 2023-24 State Budget delivers cost of living relief for regional Western Australians
- Major investments into regional health, housing, jobs and training
- Multi-billion-dollar package to transform WA’s energy system for a cleaner, stronger future
- New funding for justice, youth and police initiatives to build safer, stronger communities
- More than $4 billion delivered through Royalties for Regions program
The McGowan Government is delivering for regional Western Australia, providing cost of living support for regional residents while investing significantly in health, housing, and WA’s transition to cleaner, stronger, reliable, and affordable energy.
The 2023-24 Budget features a massive $11.2 billion investment in regional infrastructure as well as billions more in regional service delivery.
The State Budget includes $4 billion in Royalties for Regions expenditure over the next four years towards initiatives that strengthen regional communities and ensure services remain close to where people live.
Regional Western Australians will benefit from the McGowan Government’s $715 million commitment to deliver further cost of living relief, including providing every WA household with a $400 electricity credit and additional targeted support totalling $826 for households who need it most.
As part of its commitment to keeping power and water affordable for all Western Australians, the McGowan Government will spend $2.7 billion over the next four years to subsidise the costs of providing water and electricity to regional residents.
To continue to ease cost of living pressures in the regions, the McGowan Government will deliver a $20.7 million boost to meet increased demand for the highly successful Regional Airfare Zone Cap, providing affordable airfares for regional residents.
The McGowan Government is delivering a record $2.7 billion additional investment into WA’s health system, with the 2023-24 State Budget featuring a significant investment into regional health and mental health, including:
- more than $2.2 billion per annum on regional health and mental health services;
- $28.5 million for initiatives to attract and retain key health and mental health professionals, primarily to work in regional WA, with priority given to hard-to-staff sites;
- $24.4 million to extend the Mental Health Emergency Telehealth Service, providing 24/7 mental health support and allowing country doctors to make referrals whenever needed;
- $8.2 million to upgrade WA Country Health Service staff housing, including safety and security upgrades;
- $6.3 million to extend regional cancer services; and
- an additional $6.7 million towards Regional Renal Support Teams.
The 2023-24 State Budget strengthens the McGowan Government’s record investment into housing, including:
- boosting the commitment to refurbish and deliver Government Regional Officer Housing by $61.6 million;
- $49 million to partner with community housing providers to provide 100 social homes across regional WA in a supported landlord model for rough sleepers;
- $450 million into the Social Housing Investment Fund to deliver more social housing across the State; and
- $12 million over four years to deliver more development ready land throughout regional WA, through the Regional Development Assistance Program.
The 2023-24 State Budget is a major investment into WA’s future, tackling climate change through a $3 billion package as well as investing in protecting the environment. Major initiatives include:
- $2.7 billion investment to transition WA’s energy system for a low-carbon future, with significant funding for battery storage and renewable energy projects in the regions;
- upgrades to Western Power’s regional network as part of a $126 million investment to kickstart the energy grid’s transition to net zero and facilitate the green energy boom;
- $18.8 million to continue the Healthy Estuaries WA program to improve water quality of estuaries across the regions;
- $10.4 million to boost WA’s emergency animal disease preparedness following overseas outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease and Lumpy Skin Disease;
- $22.2 million to assist industry transition to the mandatory sheep and goat electronic identification (eID) system to bolster WA’s animal biosecurity defences; and
- $20.2 million to extend vital drought resilience initiatives helping future-proof Western Australian farms.
The McGowan Government’s 2023-24 State Budget continues to deliver on the WA Jobs Plan, diversifying regional economies, creating new jobs for the future and developing a pipeline of skills in the regions. Key initiatives include:
- $40 million Sustainable Geoscience Investments package to accelerate critical minerals discoveries, ensuring WA is well-placed to grasp economic opportunities as the world works towards a net zero future;
- an additional $35 million for the Industrial Land Development Fund, to support activation of Strategic Industrial Areas in the Pilbara;
- $6.5 million to implement the Western Australian Aquaculture Development Plan;
- $2 million from the New Industries Fund to support regional entrepreneurs in the innovation sector;
- $53 million on new and improved school infrastructure in regional WA;
- $2.5 million to increase the travel accommodation allowance for regional TAFE students; and
- $2.9 million to provide a weekly allowance for regional students studying a Diploma of Nursing.
The McGowan Government continues its record investment into regional roads and transport projects, including:
- a further $407 million on regional road projects and initiatives being invested in this Budget, bringing the total investment over the next four years to $5.3 billion;
- a $175 million boost to the jointly Commonwealth-State funded Regional Road Safety Program, to continue to deliver life-saving works on regional roads;
- $129 million for projects and upgrades at regional ports; and
- $5.2 million towards aviation initiatives for regional communities.
The 2023-24 State Budget will help to build safe, strong and fair regional communities, with initiatives including:
- $11.7 million to extend Operation Regional Shield, continuing to deliver police into regional communities experiencing youth crime issues;
- $11.7 million to continue the Target 120 rollout across the regions;
- $1.1 million to continue the Respectful Relationships Teaching Support Program and the provision of culturally appropriate services for victims of family and domestic violence in regional areas;
- $10.4 million to enhance and expand the Banned Drinkers Register across regional WA;
- $5.8 million to extend the successful Driving Access and Equity Program to deliver driver training to disadvantaged young people;
- $4.9 million to continue the Regional Athlete Support Program to help regionally-based talented athletes meet their full potential;
- an additional $42.6 million for upgrades to water and wastewater systems in remote communities; and
- $700,000 to continue the Rural, Regional and Remote Network program to support regional women.
The McGowan Government will also invest $77 million to manage and protect Aboriginal cultural heritage in WA, including support for new Local Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Services.
For more information, visit www.ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
“This Budget continues our record of delivering for regional WA – helping to ease cost of living pressures and investing in our regions’ future.
“My Government is investing a record amount into regional infrastructure, and delivering a significant boost for health and housing in the regions.
“We are committed to keeping the community safe, with our Budget including important investments into regional policing and programs targeting at-risk young people.
“WA’s responsible financial management provides the opportunity to make significant investments in what matters to Western Australians, while keeping the Budget in a strong position for future generations.
“Our WA Jobs Plan is working, creating long-term jobs across the State, while diversifying WA’s economy, driving new job opportunities in high tech manufacturing, clean energy, agriculture, tourism and defence industries.”
As stated by Regional Development Minister Don Punch:
“Regional WA is the backbone of not only our State’s economy, but also the nation’s.
“The McGowan Government is further strengthening Regional WA and delivering $11.2 billion in the 2023-24 State Budget to support the community, addressing the increased cost of living and supporting industry to create more jobs and further diversify our economy.
“We’re also addressing challenges traditionally linked with regional living, by improving access to healthcare, investing in community safety and giving more people access to education.
“The McGowan Government is proud of our regions, and we’re helping to make sure they remain fantastic places to live and work for generations to come through this budget.”
