policy
Community Services Funding Amendment Bill to Allocate Royalty Revenue to Perth Support Programs
Perth households accessing family counselling, emergency housing and disability respite stand to gain from redirected state revenue under the new legislation.
How we reported this
The Community Services Funding Amendment Bill 2026, currently listed on the Western Australian Legislative Assembly notice paper, directs a fixed share of iron ore royalty receipts into designated Perth metropolitan community service providers. The measure applies from the 2027 financial year and targets organisations delivering services in the City of Perth, City of Stirling and City of Armadale local government areas.
Why the change is before Parliament now
State budget papers released in May 2026 recorded a projected $3.2 billion surplus driven by iron ore prices. The bill responds to that revenue position by creating a statutory mechanism that locks in annual transfers rather than leaving allocations to annual budget discretion. Policy analysts note the approach follows similar royalty hypothecation models already operating in the Northern Territory and Queensland.
Local residents will see the direct effect through expanded operating grants to 47 Perth-based non-government organisations. These grants are expected to support an additional 1,200 family counselling sessions per year at centres such as the Midland Family Centre and the Armadale Community Hub. Emergency accommodation providers in the City of Stirling have been advised they can apply for capital funding to add 85 new crisis beds.
Budget figures and service reach
The legislation states that 4.5 per cent of net iron ore royalty revenue above a $12 billion threshold will flow to the Community Services Fund. Treasury modelling in the bill's explanatory memorandum projects the first transfer at $187 million in 2027-28. The Productivity Commission has found that similar targeted grants in other states have increased service capacity by between 12 and 18 per cent within two years of implementation.
Perth residents on the National Disability Insurance Scheme waitlist may benefit from additional respite places funded through the same pool. The bill requires quarterly public reporting on bed nights, counselling hours and client numbers, with the first report due in September 2027.
The bill is scheduled for second reading debate on 22 July 2026. If passed unamended, the first grant round will open in October 2026 with funds reaching providers by January 2027.