Western Australia enters the 2027-28 Budget from a position of economic strength, yet many people are not sharing in that prosperity. Across metropolitan, regional and remote communities, WACOSS and our members are hearing a consistent message: rising living costs, housing insecurity, workforce shortages and growing demand for support services are placing increasing pressure on households and communities. While employment remains strong, too many Western Australians are working hard and still struggling to afford essentials, secure stable housing, access timely support, or build a secure future for their children.
The challenge for the Western Australian Government is not simply responding to immediate pressures, but strengthening the foundations of a fairer, more resilient and more productive WA. Targeted investment in prevention, early intervention and community wellbeing can reduce the long-term demand for crisis services, improve workforce participation and ensure the benefits of economic growth are shared more equitably across our community.
This submission outlines a practical agenda focused on areas where strategic investment can make the greatest difference. The first section is the Urgent Action Agenda, presenting priority asks for immediate funding. It calls for targeted cost-of-living relief, including stronger concessions, energy assistance, food security measures, transport affordability and housing support. These investments will help households meet basic needs while reducing pressure on emergency relief, homelessness, health and community services. This should be backed by State advocacy to increase inadequate federal payments for JobSeeker and Youth Allowance.
The second section, Caring for a Growing State, focuses on the strategic investments needed to support Western Australia’s continued growth and long-term prosperity. Population growth, workforce shortages and changing patterns of need are placing increasing pressure on social infrastructure and community services. Community services are not only a source of support for people experiencing hardship; they are essential economic infrastructure that underpins workforce participation, productivity and regional development.
Affordable early childhood services enable parents to work. Housing, mental health, disability, family support and community care services help people participate in employment, education and community life. When these services are unavailable or under-resourced, the consequences are felt across the economy through reduced workforce participation, increased absenteeism, higher demand on acute services and growing pressure on employers struggling to attract and retain workers. Investing in sustainable services, a productive care workforce and stronger regional communities is therefore both a social and economic imperative.
The third section, A Fairer and More Resilient WA, focuses on the structural reforms needed to improve economic security, reduce disadvantage and strengthen community wellbeing. It advocates for targeted action on cost-of-living pressures, housing affordability, early child development, health and mental health care, disability support, family and domestic violence, justice reform, climate resilience and gambling harm. Together, these reforms seek to reduce inequality, strengthen social cohesion and ensure all Western Australians can participate fully in community life.
The recommendations in this submission focus on immediate relief, sustainable services and stronger communities. Together they represent an investment in people, places and prevention, recognising that social infrastructure is as important to Western Australia’s future prosperity as physical infrastructure. By strengthening the supports that enable people to participate in work, education and community life, the State can build a fairer, more resilient and more productive future for all Western Australians.