- Health infrastructure to receive an additional $212.1 million investment through the 2025-26 State Budget, bringing the health infrastructure pipeline to $3.2 billion over the next four years
- Budget delivers initial planning funding for major election commitments including expanding the Royal Perth Hospital ED and St John of God Midland
- Regional hospital investment to include Bunbury Hospital, Albany Health Campus, Geraldton Radiation Oncology, Kalbarri Health Centre, renal dialysis facilities in Karratha and Geraldton, and Kalgoorlie Health Campus
The Cook Government is continuing to build on its hospital investment in the 2025-26 State Budget, with a significant investment into planning for major election commitments which will expand two major emergency departments (EDs), add hospital beds to Western Australia's health system and better support regional communities.
Key investments made through the Budget include:
- $50 million investment to support Statewide Medical Equipment and Imaging Replacement;
- $24 million in additional funding for the fit-out of 60 shelled inpatient beds at Joondalup Health Campus;
- $19.3 million for improvement of access and mobility at the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site;
- $8.6 million additional funding towards the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU) expansion;
- $5 million to plan for an expansion of the ED and the expansion of St John of God Midland Public Hospital; and
- $5 million to plan for the expansion of the ED and master planning for Royal Perth Hospital (RPH).
This planning funding will progress the government's election commitments to expand the ED facilities at these hospitals.
Master planning is already underway to redevelop the St John of God Midland Public Hospital ED to deliver expanded, contemporary services to the community.
The ED expansion will provide capacity to deliver services to the growing population in the Swan and Hills catchment area, where the number of ED attendances is expected to grow by 38 per cent by 2031-32.
At Royal Perth Hospital, one of the State's busiest and longest serving hospitals, the major expansion of the ED will deliver faster access to care.
Each year the ED sees over 84,000 patients with more than 1,500 resuscitation cases and 500 major trauma incidents.
This commitment to a multimillion-dollar upgrade will transform the ED and deliver more than 50 new treatment bays, a new computed tomography scanner space, a specialised mental health early treatment zone, more triage rooms and eight extra ambulance triage bays.
This is a significant commitment which will modernise and redevelop the ED so that RPH can continue to provide the best possible health care in the city.
The Budget will provide $14.5 million to improve power and cooling systems for communities in the eastern suburbs.
This includes a $6.5 million infrastructure investment to deliver upgrades to core electrical systems at Royal Perth Hospital and Albany Health Service and a further $7.9 million in mechanical infrastructure improvements, including mechanical chillers and cooling towers at Royal Perth Hospital, Armadale Health Service and Bentley Health Service.
The Cook Government continues to invest in expanding WA's critical care services, with an additional $8.6 million allocated in 2025-26 to support the 10-bed ICU pod project at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.
The new self-contained ICU pod will enhance Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital's capacity to 40 beds, ensuring specialist treatment for patients requiring post-cardiac surgery, neurological surgery, liver transplants, and advanced life-support therapies.
The Budget also delivers on a promised $10.6 million commitment to relocate the Claremont Therapeutic Riding Centre.
The State Government is also investing heavily in regional health infrastructure to improve services for country communities. This includes:
- Bunbury Hospital Redevelopment - $20.3 million to enable the project to progress in line with the government's commitment;
- Mullewa Community Hospital - $19.6 million redevelopment to offer modern, purpose-built facilities to support a wide range of health services including 24/7 emergency care, respite and palliation, outpatient treatment and community health programs;
- Albany Health Campus expansion - $1 million to commence planning for a 30-bed ward delivered via innovative modular technology;
- Geraldton Radiation Oncology - $1 million planning funding to deliver a fit-for-purpose treatment facility for Mid West patients;
- Kalbarri Health Centre - $1 million for air conditioning upgrades;
- Delivery of a Karratha renal dialysis facility, new hostel and expansion of Geraldton Renal Dialysis Unit - $1 million for project planning; and
- Kalgoorlie Health Campus - $1 million for master planning.
For more information, visit https://www.ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au
As stated by Health Infrastructure Minister John Carey:
"The State Budget is about funding world-class health infrastructure across the State.
"We have already added around 800 new hospital beds since the 2021-22 Budget, the equivalent of a new tertiary hospital - and this Budget builds on this record of delivery.
"Projects like the major expansion of Albany Health Campus to deliver a new 30-bed modular ward are vital to support our growing population in the Great Southern.
"Meanwhile, providing more renal dialysis chairs in Karratha and Geraldton will make a life-changing difference to patients who will be able to get the care they need in their communities.
"We are building health infrastructure to support a healthy future for Western Australians."
As stated by Health Minister Meredith Hammat:
"As part of the State Government's additional $1.4 billion investment in health care for Western Australia, we have committed a significant $212 million for infrastructure.
"As these projects come to fruition, they will deliver benefits to communities from around the State, from Albany to Kalgoorlie and Karratha as well as in our busy Perth hospitals.
"The significant emergency department redevelopments at St John of God Midland and Royal Perth will pave the way for improved patient outcomes through better access to care.
"This means patients can be seen and treated in a timelier manner in fit-for-purpose facilities - which will also enable our frontline health professionals to provide high-quality care."
