WA to prioritise housing, healthcare investments
Sydney (7 May)
Western Australia’s (WA) government has allocated A$13.8 billion to housing and healthcare projects in its 2026-27 Budget, while maintaining projected operating surpluses until the end of the decade.
WA is the only Australian state with a triple-A credit rating from both S&P Global and Moody’s, its Treasurer Rita Saffioti said on 7 May. The state’s operating surplus will fall from A$3.5 billion in 2025-26 to A$1.8 billion in 2027-28, but then rise to A$4.1 billion by 2029-2030, Budget forecasts show.
WA’s government has allocated A$9.1 billion to healthcare projects in its 2026-27 Budget. Over two-thirds of the funding – equivalent to approximately A$6.5 billion – will go towards increased hospital services funding, the Government said.
It plans to spend another A$1.5 billion on building and upgrading hospitals and related infrastructure in 2026-27, as part of a four-year, A$5.5 billion programme.
The Government’s 2026-27 Budget also aims to tackle mental health and rural health challenges. WA will spend A$414 million on mental health and substance abuse services, including community health projects and crisis support schemes, the Government said.
It plans to invest another A$492 million into regional hospitals, patient support programmes, and expanded regional health services.
The Government’s 2026-27 Budget also focusses on housing. WA’s government will spend A$4.7 billion on housing-related projects, it said.
The state intends to invest A$1 billion in a Housing Australia Future Fund partnership that will create 1,426 homes, the Government said. It will also spend A$452 million to build 165 social homes, refurbish 215 homes, and maintain 45,000 homes, the Government said.
WA’s government additionally plans to build enabling infrastructure – including water and power systems – to support housing projects around transport corridors. It will spend A$1.3 billion on projects located around Perth railway stations and growth areas.
The WA Government’s 2026-27 Budget come days after it partnered with the Federal Government to invest A$2 billion into housing and housing-related infrastructure projects to support 34,000 new homes.
The Federal Government will invest over A$1 billion into the state under the partnership, with WA’s government covering the rest from its budget, they added.
By Avinash Govind