I'm pleased to share what the Cook Labor Government's 2026-27 State Budget delivers for you, your family and the Scarborough community.

Locally, I’m proud that we’ve secured an $18.1 million commitment to make the temporary women’s refuge in our community permanent. I’m grateful to the more than 900 locals who backed my call to make this happen.

As a renter and aspiring first home buyer, I know how real the housing challenge is for people in our community. This Budget invests a record $4.7 billion in housing to support first home buyers, unlock more land, and deliver more social and affordable homes.

Tackling cost of living continues to be our number one priority. This Budget delivers on that commitment by backing WA families and households with a $100 fuel support payment, another round of student support payments, and more.

Keep reading to find out how the 2026-27 State Budget supports you and your family.

 

 

COST OF LIVING

The Cook Labor Government knows Western Australians are under pressure and that’s why cost of living remains our top priority. The 2026-27 State Budget commits more than $1 billion in relief for WA families and households, continuing our record of delivering more than $4 billion in support since 2017.

Fuel Support Payment

Eligible Western Australians with a valid driver’s licence will receive a $100 Fuel Support Payment to help with the cost of getting around.

WA Student Assistance Payment

A third round of the WA Student Assistance Payment will provide $150 for kindergarten and primary school students, and $250 for secondary students.

KidSport Vouchers

Another round of the popular $300 KidSport vouchers will help keep kids active and support families with the cost of community sport.

Support for Renters

For renters, the Cook Labor Government is delivering up to $4,000 in direct rental assistance through the extended WA Rent Relief Program, as well as banning no-fault evictions.

Public Transport Savings

Free public transport for school students, the $2.80 flat suburban fare, and fare-free Sundays are now permanent.

Locally, the popular SurfCAT will also continue to provide a free and convenient way for people to get around our community.

Free TAFE

Free TAFE will continue into 2027, helping more Western Australians access training and skills for the future.

Health Support

Free flu and FluMist vaccines are also available to help keep families healthy.

 

 

HOUSING

Housing is a major priority in this Budget. The Cook Labor Government is investing a record $4.7 billion in housing in the 2026-27 State Budget, lifting total additional investment since 2021 to more than $10.8 billion.

This investment is helping get more homes built, with 25,050 new homes approved in the year to February 2026 and a record 172,500 workers now employed in WA’s construction workforce.

Helping first home buyers

For many young people and families in our community, buying a first home feels harder than ever.

That’s why this Budget delivers:

• a third round of stamp duty relief for first home buyers
• an increase to the First Home Owner Grant cap from $750,000 to $800,000
• an increase to Keystart property price limits from $800,000 to $860,000
• 500 affordable homes exclusively for first home buyers, with access to Keystart shared equity loans

More housing choice

In established communities like Scarborough, we need more housing choice so people can stay connected to the places they love.

The Budget extends the off-the-plan transfer duty concession for two years, increases the thresholds, and expands the program to include survey strata developments for the first time.

This will help support more apartment and medium-density housing options, including for first home buyers and seniors looking to downsize.

More social and affordable homes

The Cook Labor Government will deliver more than 5,000 social and affordable homes over this term of government, with more than 9,800 homes now in the program since 2021.

 

I’ve been calling on the community, to stand beside me as I advocate for a permanent
refuge for victim-survivors of family anddomestic violence in our area.
I am proud to say that with your support, WE DID IT!

 

BUILDING SAFE AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES

Everyone deserves to feel safe and supported in our community.

Locally, we have secured $18.1 million to make the temporary women’s refuge in our community permanent, delivering a new 15-bed refuge. I’m grateful to the (now) over 900 locals who backed my call to make this happen.

This is a major win for women and children escaping family and domestic violence. Upon delivery of both this $18.1 million commitment and the $22.5 million rebuild of the Stirling Womens Centre there will be a six-fold increase of refuge capacity in the Northern Suburbs.

Across WA this Budget also delivers:

• $106 million in additional funding for family and domestic violence prevention and response
• $91.1 million for new and continuing homelessness services
• $530 million for WA Police to help keep our community safe
• $31.2 million in additional funding for fire and emergency services fleet replacement
• $46.3 million to boost supports for foster and grandparent carers, including a new Foster and Grand Carer Gold Card, and increased foster carer subsidy

 

Expanding Osborne Park Hospital, providing more
maternity care for families in the northern suburbs.

 

HEALTH AND HOSPITALS

The Cook Labor Government is making the biggest investment in WA’s health system, ever. This Budget delivers a record $9.1 billion in extra health and mental health funding, including $6.5 billion to support frontline hospital services.

Since 2017, we’ve added more than 6,500 nurses and 2,700 doctors to WA’s health system.

More hospital beds and better care

The Building Hospitals Fund will deliver major health projects including the new Women and Babies Hospital, Royal Perth and Peel Hospitals, and the Perkins WA Comprehensive Cancer Centre.

The Budget also invests $224.8 million to buy and upgrade Mount Lawley Hospital, bringing 118 beds into the free public hospital system from September 2026. A further 120 beds will also come online over winter at Joondalup Health Campus and St John of God Midland.

Care closer to home

To give families more options close to home, 200 extra pharmacists will be able to diagnose, prescribe and treat common conditions.

Free flu, FluMist and RSV vaccinations are also available to help keep families healthy.

Mental health support

We are delivering a $414 million boost for mental health and alcohol and other drug services. This includes $29.7 million to extend suicide prevention initiatives and $15.4 million to roll out WA’s first Crisis Recovery and Intervention Support Service.

 

Karrinyup Primary School's $27.5 million upgrade will include a new classroom block,
refurbishment of the early childhood teaching block, refurbishment of the
administration block and relocation of the hardcourts.

 

EDUCATION

Every child deserves the best start in life.

We are investing in schools, supporting growing enrolments, modernising facilities, and strengthening learning environments for students, teachers and school staff.

Locally, this includes a $27.5 million upgrade for Karrinyup Primary School.

The Budget also funds the completion of Cool the Schools air conditioning upgrades across WA, including at Newborough Primary School, where air conditioning has been installed and remaining refurbishment works are underway.

For students with additional needs, we are delivering $310 million in extra disability funding for public schools, as well as $361 million for the Thriving Kids initiative to support children with developmental delays or autism aged up to eight.

We are also investing in practical support for families, including additional funding for swimming and water safety education, and programs that encourage students to walk, wheel, scoot and ride to school.

Free TAFE will also continue into 2027, helping more Western Australians access training and skills for the future.

Read more about the State Budget here...