policy
Community Services Social Impact Bill to Alter Perth Support Program Access
Perth residents using family assistance and aged care services in suburbs such as Armadale and Joondalup face potential shifts in program delivery under the new state legislation.
How we reported this
The Western Australian Legislative Assembly introduced the Community Services (Social Impact Assessment) Bill 2026 on 6 July. The legislation requires every new state policy to complete a formal social impact assessment before implementation. Assessments must examine effects on community services including family support, mental health outreach and aged care delivered in the Perth metropolitan area.
The bill emerges as the state government prepares its 2026-27 budget and reviews revenue from iron ore royalties and federal funding arrangements. Policy analysts note that recent national reports on employment changes have prompted state parliament to track how economic shifts reach local service providers.
Residents in Perth suburbs connected by the Metronet rail expansion may encounter revised eligibility rules for transport-linked support. The assessments will review programs that supply travel assistance to community centres, with particular attention to households in Rockingham and Midland that use these services to attend appointments.
Budget allocations and evidence base
The 2026-27 state budget papers allocate 2.4 billion dollars to community and social services across Western Australia, with 650 million dollars directed to Perth-based organisations. The legislation states that every assessment must reference these budget lines and identify any projected changes to service volumes or staffing levels.
The Productivity Commission has found that women and university graduates face elevated risks of job displacement in service sectors. The bill requires assessments to report on flow-on effects for community sector employment in Perth local government areas and to publish summaries within 30 days of policy announcements.
Next steps for implementation
If passed by both houses the bill will take effect from 1 January 2027. The government says the policy will generate annual public reports that detail service adjustments experienced by Perth communities and any resulting changes to waiting times or program reach.