The Western Australian Council of Social Service (WACOSS) is pleased to see some targeted cost-of-living measures in the State Government’s mid-year budget review today, but reiterates its call for more help for those who are doing it toughest.

WACOSS’s Cost of Living 2025 report found that Western Australians on low income are experiencing entrenched and severe financial hardship despite inflation slowing earlier in the year, moderate wage growth and government electricity credits.

We welcome the $434 million allocated for new housing in today’s mid-year review, and acknowledge that there are no quick-fix solutions to the State’s current housing crisis.

WACOSS Chief Executive Officer Louise Giolitto also applauded the $6.5 million top-up of the WA Rent Relief Scheme along with its extension to 30 June next year.

“However, we would really like to see this scheme extended for another two years to support renters until the rental crisis stabilises.

“We need to see greater protections for renters, especially during this rental crisis, and we need to follow other States in removing no-fault evictions. 

“We are pleased to see that the WA Government has expanded the range of healthcare accessible to regional Western Australians through the Patients Assisted Travel Scheme, or PATS. 

“But we have been told by regional Western Australians that the best way of improving access to health services is to increase the subsidies for PATS.

“People in the regions are really struggling in this cost-of-living crisis with higher food, fuel and transport costs.

“But with the removal of energy credits, we would have hoped to have seen more targeted cost-of-living measures introduced for those who are doing it toughest.

“Essential costs remained historically high throughout 2025, and years of relentless cost growth have already eroded household savings and pushed many into debt, leaving no buffer for any unexpected costs.

“We have a nation-leading economy but too many Western Australians are struggling to afford the bare essentials needed to survive.

“We continue to call for targeted measures that help people afford the basics, the cost of survival.”