Investing in education and training
The 2024-25 Budget includes a record additional $1.3 billion for education and training initiatives, delivering new and upgraded schools, as well as training to upskill Western Australians for the jobs of the future.
Since 2017, the number of educational staff in schools has increased by around 6,000, comprising 3,300 new teachers and 2,700 education assistants.
Education
- $391 million will be invested to meet student enrolment growth for both public and non-government schools, and support students with disability or who speak English as an additional language.
- $410 million to build new schools, expand capacity, and upgrade and maintain existing schools, including:
- $73 million for the second stage of the Piara Waters Senior High School to more than double its current student capacity to 1,650.
- $26 million for a double-storey permanent block to be built at Caversham Primary School.
- $22 million to relocate the Mount Hawthorn Education Support Centre to the Lake Monger Primary School.
- $12 million for a new two-storey modular classroom build at Highgate Primary School.
- $21 million for planning towards a new secondary school in Brabham and upgrades to Como Secondary College and Esperance Senior High School, plus a new inner-city primary school in East Perth.
- $3 million for swimming and water safety programs.
Training
- $195 million investment in training including:
- $85 million to expand the capacity of our construction workforce.
- $26 million for the Year 9 Career Taster and TAFE Return to Industry initiatives.
- A $22 million boost for private training delivery.
- $13 million to extend the Heavy Vehicle Driver training program in the South West and the Skilled Migrant Job Connect program.
- A further $8 million to continue Free TAFE courses.
The Cook Government is investing $1.6 billion over the next four years to build, upgrade and redevelop schools across WA.
Upgrades to schools include:
- Alkimos College: works continue on new buildings for arts, English and maths learning areas ($52 million)
- Rossmoyne Senior High School: construction underway on a new classroom block, and science and STEM labs ($43 million)
- Duncraig Senior High School: construction underway on a new two-storey specialist classroom block and upgrades ($41 million)
- Kalamunda Senior High School: construction underway on a new classroom block ($38 million)
- Ashdale Secondary College: planning underway for new classroom blocks and a new STEM lab ($29 million)
- Derby District High School: work underway on three new classroom blocks and other refurbishments ($28 million)
- Byford Secondary College: planning underway for significant expansion of classroom facilities ($22 million)
- Springfield Primary School: planning underway for the school redevelopment ($19 million)
- Greenwood College: construction underway soon on new sports hall ($18 million)
- Mount Lawley Senior High School: construction continues on new classroom block ($15 million)
- Roleystone Community College: planning underway on a new sports hall and STEM lab ($15 million)
- Darling Range Sports College: planning underway for five science labs and other facilities ($12 million)
- Halls Creek District High School: construction underway on a new primary classroom block and admin upgrade ($10 million)
New schools to be built include:
- Wungong Primary School to open in 2026 ($47 million)
- Eglinton South West Primary School* to open in 2025 ($41 million)
- Brabham East Primary School* to open in 2025 ($40 million)
- Wellard East Primary School to open in 2026 ($44 million)
*planning name
Plus $88 million towards the construction of three new public primary schools, which are expected to open for the 2027 school year.