Your five-minute guide to all the winners and losers in this year’s WA budget

It’s Treasurer Rita Saffioti’s third budget, and the state government has spent the last few months touting it as one that will help tackle the cost of living crisis West Australians are facing.

Premier Roger Cook has promised the budget is “sensible” and will “keep the economy strong and help those who are doing it tough”, through focusing on jobs, housing and health.

An operating surplus of $3.5 billion expected in 2025-26 and a $2.4 billion surplus forecast for 2026-27 will allow for a wealth of spending in the aforementioned fields, despite being lower than previous years.

But the budget has also been framed in a highly uncertain global economic environment, exacerbated by conflict in the Middle East.

Expectations have been set high, but will they be met? And who has fared better than others?

Here’s a quick guide on the winners and losers this year.

WINNERS

Drivers: There will be $198 million set aside to deliver $100 fuel payments through the Service WA app, which the treasurer labelled as “extraordinary”, for every person in WA with a valid drivers license, to help offset the rising cost of fuel.

There are over 2.1 million licence holders across the state, and the government is expecting an 85 per cent uptake rate – similar to that of the student assistance payment (which has also been extended in the budget).

And $33.1 million has been set aside as part of the nationally coordinated fuel excise cut, saving households 32 cents per litre on fuel for three months.

EV owners: A special shout out if you are the owner of an EV, or if you have a licence but never drive – you will still be eligible for that $100 payment, to set aside for something else of your choosing.

House hunters: A record $4.7 billion investment has been made in housing and homelessness measures to address the crisis, including $1.3 billion to directly increase residential land supply.

Stamp duty concessions are being introduced for off-the-plan and under-construction dwellings – of particular benefit for downsizers – and the threshold for stamp duty concessions generally will increase from $700,000 to $800,000 for first-home buyers. Homes bought for $600,000 or less will be exempt, although that is few and far between in the current market.

The state is also teaming up with the federal government to build around 34,000 additional houses, though these won’t be delivered until way down the track.

And the Rent Relief program will be extended in a $13.5 million boost, with up to $5000 available for those behind on rent and facing severe financial hardship.

Hospital users: An unprecedented additional spend of $9.1 billion is being invested into health and mental health in this budget – the highest ever spend for the state. This includes $6.5 billion for hospital services and an additional $500 million to the Building Hospitals Fund. The latter takes the total investment in health infrastructure to $5.5 billion over the forward estimates. There are also 900 new beds in the pipeline.

Parents, students, teachers: The student assistance payment is back with parent of primary school children eligible for a $150 payment per child from the start of term three and high school student parents eligible for a $250 payment.

A total of $1.9 billion has also been injected into education and training in the budget, including for new public schools, infrastructure upgrades, and maintenance to cope with rising enrolment pressures. Money will be committed for high-priority works including security systems, power and accessibility upgrades. The state government has also promised a $216 million boost for TAFE and training.

Industry: A $500 million fund has been set up to progress major projects and an infrastructure investment of $13.2 billion in 2026-27 and $44.3 billion over next four years – focused on housing, health and economic infrastructure – will also drive jobs in target areas like construction.

$91.7 million from the Strategic Industries Fund has also been allocated to enable key projects at the Western Trade Coast, Kemerton and Boodarie Strategic Industrial Areas.

Carers: Foster carer subsidy rates will be lifted by 10 per cent, while $14.5 million will be set aside to establish the Foster and Grand Carer Gold Card, including $377 of energy bill relief. $6.1 million has been promised in support for grandcarers, including a further cost of living payment.

LOSERS

Environment: There is $1.4 billion to connect renewable projects in the east of the state but without emissions or renewable energy targets, conservation groups remain sceptical of the government’s commitment to climate change.

Tourism: The budget has promised $5 million to support Traditional Owner-led tourism in the Kimberley, but there is little else available. With the fuel crisis hindering travel, and Cook telling West Aussies to get out and explore the state to support local operators during the challenging time, more could have been promised from the government’s coffers.

Investors: While housing is largely considered a winner in this budget, investors may be left feeling short-changed. The federal government has stated it will likely announce major changes to capital gains tax and negative gearing in its budget, and there is nothing in the state budget to help with that transition.

Private schools: While public schools received considerable investment, the private sector missed out. The Association of Independent Schools WA called on the state government to create a $25 million fund for upgrades to independent school facilities and infrastructure in the budget. That request was not granted. WA, Tasmania and the NT are the only jurisdictions without a state capital funding program for independent schools.

Other states: WA was a big winner from the latest distribution of GST; its share will rise from 8.3 per cent to 9.1 per cent – much to the derision of the other states.

Future generations: The debt pile continues to grow, and while it might be lower than other states, there’s still more than $10 billion in interest payments due over the next four years. Debt will surpass $40 billion by next year.

Small business: Despite the wealth of the state at the moment the government has still not tinkered with the payroll tax which will incense small businesses and groups like the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA.