Overview
Health services and infrastructure are one of the main focuses of the State Budget, with a $9.1 billion investment in health and mental health systems between 2026-27 and 2028-29. This includes:
- $6.5 billion on hospital services
- $1.5 billion for infrastructure projects
- $15.5 million increase to the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS) eligibility
- $68.6 million to extend regional health services such as palliative care, Country Patient health Support Services and Remote Area Nursing Posts, and
- $4.1 million increase to Enhanced Access Community Pharmacy Pilot.
The Budget includes targeted cost-of-living initiatives and a boost to emergency relief measures. There is also new and expanded funding for a range of critical community services and supports. Specific initiatives across the budget years include:
- an additional $13.5 million in 2026-27 to meet the cost of extending the WA Rent Relief Program
- $105 million on housing support and homelessness services
- $3.8 million support package for critical services, including food relief and a $2.3 million grant pool to support community organisations
- $43.8 million to continue uplifted funding for mental health services delivered in the community
- $29.7 million to fund a range of suicide prevention initiatives, including $4.8 million for additional regional suicide prevention workers
- $66.7 million for targeted Family and Domestic Violence prevention initiatives, and
- $3 million boost for Regional Sexual Assault Support Services.
WALGA Comment
WALGA welcomes the significant increase in health and mental health funding and the broad range of initiatives being invested in. WALGA notes the inclusion of investment in regional health services and the acknowledgement of higher service delivery costs and embracing innovative ways to enable access to primary and preventative care. For example, upskilling pharmacists to prescribe for common conditions and increasing the eligibility of the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme.
While this investment is welcome, a stronger commitment is needed to ensure that access to primary healthcare across regional WA is both viable and sustainable, without reliance on Local Government support.
WALGA notes the investment and uplift in services that are critical in sustaining communities during periods of economic instability. WALGA also notes the Budget measures to expand the coverage of a range of mental health, homelessness and family and domestic violence prevention services in regional areas.
WALGA notes the marginal decrease in funding for Public Library Strategy and Materials across the forward estimates. Restoration of funding by an estimated $4.4 million per annum would enable Local Governments to maintain contemporary library collections and redirect resources toward delivering the services communities expect.
