Investing in Education and Training
This Budget includes an additional $965 million for education and training initiatives.
This will improve educational outcomes for students, deliver school upgrades and new high-quality learning facilities, and deliver more targeted training initiatives to continue building our pipeline of skilled workers for the future.
In 2023-24, total spending to deliver quality education in Western Australian schools will increase by more than half a billion dollars to $6.4 billion.
At a glance:
- $325.1 million for delivery of primary and secondary education, including increased supports for students with a disability and eligible students with an additional language or dialect.
- $38.6 million to improve the wellbeing of students through pastoral care services and student support strategies under the National Student Wellbeing Program.
- $227 million for new and upgraded school infrastructure:
- $100 million for major upgrades at Rockingham and Safety Bay Senior High Schools.
- $27.2 million for high-priority maintenance works at public schools.
- $6.8 million for upgrades at Agricultural Colleges around the State.
- $1.4 million to finalise planning for a new inner-city primary school in East Perth.
- $93.4 million for our training sector, including new and expanded initiatives that support students in the regions to access training, women to enter apprenticeships in non-traditional fields and for Aboriginal people to gain employment.
- $4.2 million for a $2,000 completion grant and a tool safety equipment rebate of up to $500 for construction apprentices.
- $3.5 million for the expansion of the Heavy Vehicle Driving Operations Training Program to the Kimberley and Pilbara.
- Henley Brook South Primary School ($27.1 million)
- Hillarys Primary School rebuild ($20.4 million)
- Wattleup (East) Primary School ($27.2 million)
- Eglinton South West Primary School (planning name)
- Brabham East Primary School (planning name)
- Albany Senior High School - construction of a new English and mathematics classroom block, repurposed STEM laboratory and improved administration block ($8.5 million)
- Alkimos College - construction has commenced on Stage 2 ($51.5 million)
- Balga Senior High School – construction of new performing arts centre and STEM laboratory ($6.3 million)
- Bob Hawke College Stage 2 – construction to double student capacity with more classrooms, performing arts centre, dance and visual arts studios, music and media rooms ($52.9 million)
- Byford Secondary College – planning for additional classroom accommodation, including a STEM laboratory, for a further 300 students ($21.5 million)
- Dampier Primary School – planning for works including music hall refurbishment ($1 million)
- Derby District High School – construction underway for major upgrades ($25.6 million)
- Donnybrook District High School – classroom refurbishment to commence ($1 million)
- Duncraig Senior High School – construction of new specialist classroom block, upgrades to existing specialist classrooms, and a STEM laboratory ($38.4 million)
- Eaton Community College – construction to commence for a new design and technology block ($8.2 million)
- Halls Creek District High School – planned new primary classroom block ($10 million)
- Brabham Primary School Early Learning Facility – constructing a new off-site facility to support young children ($15.1 million)
- Mount Lawley Senior High School – construction continues on a new classroom block at Mount Lawley Senior High School ($15 million)
- Roebourne District High School – for significant redevelopment ($72.4 million)
The McGowan Government is delivering a significant capital works program totalling $1.5 billion to deliver new and improved public education facilities across WA.
New school builds underway:
Planning for new schools (to open 2025):
At a glance: school upgrades in progress
For full list, see Budget Paper 2