WA Budget aims to deliver better outcomes for Aboriginal communities

The WA State Government is investing more than $350 million into initiatives that support better outcomes for Aboriginal people and communities, reflecting a renewed commitment to Aboriginal self‑determination through strong, collaborative partnerships.

The funding will support Aboriginal-led and culturally responsive services across Western Australia, improving access to support and strengthening community-driven solutions in areas identified as priorities by local communities.

This builds on the $300 million the Government has allocated for the Stolen Generations Redress Scheme, supporting healing and truth-telling for survivors, their families, and communities.

$2.4m surplus

WA has posted another big surplus this year, with motorists and families getting handouts in a cost-of-living spend-up.

The State government announced a $2.4 billion surplus in its 2026/27 budget, its eighth-straight set of books in the black.

Key points:

• More than $350 million committed in 2026-2027 State Budget as part of continued investment for Aboriginal people and communities
• Funding to continue supporting economic, social, and community initiatives for Aboriginal people
• Government committed to building and strengthening culturally responsive services in partnership with Aboriginal people, communities, and organisations

“My government acknowledges the cultural heritage of WA’s Aboriginal people and the value they bring to our State,” Premier Roger Cook said.

“That’s why we have prioritised Closing the Gap as part of this Budget.

“Our responsible Budget management has kept WA’s economy the strongest in the nation so we can invest in better outcomes for Aboriginal people and communities across health, education, and employment.”

The new funding includes $10.1 million for the WA Closing the Gap 2026-28 Implementation Plan to deliver five initiatives targeted at driving delivery of the Priority Reforms of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

Additional funding that will support Aboriginal-led decision-making and delivery of programs and services includes:

• $37.7 million to expand the Aboriginal Representative Organisations that meets the Department of Communities’ legislative obligations, whilst ensuring the highest priority cohorts have timely access to cultural supports;
• $8.1 million to extend the Council of Aboriginal Services WA Partnership Agreement; and
• $7.2 million for the Aboriginal Family Led Decision Making sites in Mirrabooka and the Mid West-Gascoyne region.

WA Treasurer Rita Saffioti hands down of the 2026-27 Western Australian State Budget in Perth. (AAP Image/Richard Wainwright)

Initiatives that support economic development include:

• $18 million for Aboriginal tourism initiatives through the Jina: Western Australian Aboriginal Tourism Action Plan 2026-2030;
• $12.6 million funded by industry for the Murujuga Rock Art Monitoring Program;
• $5 million for the Garaan-ngaddim Horizontal Falls tourism transition;
• $3.7 million for the continued operation of Gwoonwardu Mia Gascoyne Aboriginal Heritage and Cultural Centre;
• $2.1 million to maintain delivery of the Aboriginal Business Capability Building Program;
• $1.6 million towards establishing Aboriginal traineeships in regional Jobs and Skills Centres; and
• $1.1 million from the Commonwealth’s Remote Airstrip Upgrade Program, and associated grant expenditure to Main Roads WA towards the Kalumburu airstrip upgrade for Kalumburu Aboriginal Corporation.

Initiatives that support safe and inclusive remote Aboriginal communities include:

• $81.7 million for housing investment in remote Aboriginal communities;
• $24 million for the Remote Communities Advanced Metering Infrastructure Project;
• $11 million to enable the replacement of vehicles, plant, machinery, and equipment for Municipal Services;
• $10 million to deliver electricity services; and
• $720,000 to progress the replacement of Bidyadanga’s diesel generation asset and future community-led renewable generation.

Initiatives to boost health wellbeing include:

• $48.6 million for Social and Emotional Wellbeing services;
• $41 million to continue Kimberley Juvenile Justice Strategy initiatives;
• $20.3 million funding uplift for at-risk youth services including the Home Safe program and to extend the Kimberley Empowered Youth Network;
• $19.6 million over for Child Sexual Abuse Therapeutic Services, Indigenous Healing Services, the Kimberley Sexual Abuse Prevention and Support Service, and for Tuart Place;
• $13.2 million for the Perth Aboriginal Short Stay Accommodation;
• $11.8 million for the Dandjoo Bidi-Ak therapeutic children’s court program;
• $10.8 million towards a therapeutic Youth Justice Model of Care for young people in detention;
• $4.6 million to support the Aboriginal Legal Service of WA in delivering the Custody Notification Service and the Work and Development Permit Scheme;
• $3.7 million for the Aboriginal Environmental Health Model of Care; and
• $1.5 million in 2026-27 to support a one-year continuation of the Police and Community Youth Centres safeSPACE programs in Kalgoorlie, Kununurra, and Roebourne.