Cost of Living

Many Western Australian families are under pressure, that's why tackling cost of living is the Cook Labor Government's number one priority

Since coming into office we have:

• Paid $1,400 in electricity credits to every household in Western Australia.

• Made public transport free for students to get to school, and free for every Western Australian all day, every Sunday. 

• Kept water and power fees and charges increases to well below inflation.

• Capped public transport fees in Perth to two-zones, saving users thousands.

• Scrapped Liberal plans to privatise our energy system, protecting WA from sky-rocketing increases in household bills.

• Doubled the KidSport vouchers program, helping parents cover the cost of kids in sport. 

• Supported those doing it tough with free energy between 9am and 3pm for eligible Synergy households. 

• Extended Water Corp's hardship support to an additional 5,000 customers. 

 

 

 • Reintroduced the Seniors Security Rebate, which allows a claim of up to $400 per household towards the purchase of eligible home security or safety items. 

 • Increased the seniors' cost of living rebate.

 • Continued to support the WA Seniors Discount Directory, providing free off-peak public transport, concessions on water charges and local government rates.

 • Launched Fare Free Sundays, providing SmartRider holders with free Sunday travel across Perth.

 • Supporting foster carers, grandparent carers and other carers with $500 payments for a child in care and $250 for each additional child from January 2024. 

 

 

• Funded 150 more Group Training Organisation wage subsidy places in 2024 to get more construction apprentices on the job.

• Funded additional places under the renewed FEE FREE partnership with the Albanese Government across 130 priority TAFE courses in 2024. 

• Supporting up to 600 women into trade and technical occupations with $5,000 scholarships to increase pathways for women into higher-paying jobs. 

• Providing cost-of-living assistance for regional nursing students where they have to travel to complete their mandatory practical placements. 

• Doubling the travel and accommodation allowance for regional apprentices, trainees, cadets, and interns who are required to travel long distances off-the-job for their training. 

• Doubled the Student Transport Allowance for regional families. 

 

 

 • Introduced the WA Rent Relief Program, giving tenants at risk of eviction up to $5,000 in direct rental support. 

 • Providing interest free loans of up to $300,000 for builders to complete unfinished homes. 

 • Paid $650 in small business electricity credits across WA in the recent Budget. 

 • Reduced Keystart interest rates, saving customers thousands of dollars on interest payments. 

 • Provided a $3,000 cost of living payment in the 2023 Budget for all public sector workers, including nurses, police and firefighters. 

 • Introduced Parliament laws that will ban rent bidding and limit rent increases to once every 12 months.