The 2026–27 WA State Budget delivers several positive investments that reinforce the important role sport and recreation plays in building healthier, more connected and resilient communities across Western Australia.

While there remains significant opportunity to further strengthen investment in community sport and active recreation over the coming years, this year’s Budget includes a number of initiatives that will positively support participation, wellbeing, regional communities and grassroots sport across the State.

SportWest welcomes the continued recognition of initiatives that help reduce barriers to participation, support families through cost-of-living pressures and strengthen community wellbeing.

Community sport remains one of Western Australia’s most powerful social and preventative health assets – helping people stay active, connected and engaged while delivering important physical, mental and social benefits to communities across the State.

Key Sport and Recreation Related Investments

Participation and Community Sport

• $5.5 million to continue KidSport vouchers (valued at $300) supporting children and families to participate in community sport
• An additional $7.7 million to support for school swimming and water safety education
• Ongoing investment of $815,000 in active travel and movement-based school programs such as Your Move Schools program, encouraging students to walk, wheel, scoot and ride to and from school
• Continued support for Country Week and regional travel assistance initiatives

Women and Girls in Sport

• An increase in Women’s Sports funding
• Continued investment in creating more inclusive and equitable opportunities across the sporting system

Sport Infrastructure and Facilities

• Major investment into the Australian Hockey Centre development

• Continued investment through the Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund (CSRFF) and the Club Night Lights Program
• Ongoing delivery of Perth Park as a future sporting and entertainment precinct, including opportunities for cycling and motorsport

Health and Wellbeing

• A record $9.1 billion investment into health and mental health
• Additional investment into suicide prevention and community mental health services
• Continued focus on preventative health and community wellbeing initiatives

Road Safety and Young People

• Significant investment of $60.7 million into road safety awareness campaigns and school education programs, with over $340 million invested to support road safety initiatives more broadly
• Continued investment in youth engagement and prevention initiatives

SportWest CEO Troy Kirkham said the Budget highlighted the growing alignment between sport, health, wellbeing and stronger communities.

“Community sport plays a critical role in the lives of Western Australians every single day. Our sports, clubs and organisations are helping people stay active, connected and supported while creating stronger and more resilient communities.”

“This Budget includes several encouraging investments that will positively support participation, inclusion and wellbeing outcomes across Western Australia.”

“Importantly, there is a growing recognition that sport is far more than recreation alone. Community sport is one of the State’s most powerful preventative health and social infrastructure assets.”

“Whether it is supporting mental wellbeing, reducing isolation, building safer and more inclusive communities or helping young people thrive, sport continues to play an important role in delivering outcomes that matter to Government and the broader community.”

SportWest also welcomed the continued focus on regional Western Australia, with investment in transport affordability, regional infrastructure and community initiatives helping regional clubs and communities remain connected and active.

SportWest recognises the significant impact rising fuel costs are continuing to have on Western Australian families, particularly those living in regional and remote communities where travel is essential for work, education, sport and community connection. While the Budget includes welcome cost-of-living support measures, there remains ongoing pressure on many families and sporting communities, and further targeted relief would have provided additional support to help people stay connected and engaged in community life and sport.

The Budget’s continued investment into women’s sport and participation initiatives was also recognised as an important step forward in creating more inclusive opportunities across the sporting system.

While acknowledging the positive investments contained within the Budget, SportWest said there remains strong opportunity to continue building long-term investment into community sport and recreation as a key partner in addressing some of Western Australia’s biggest challenges – including physical inactivity, mental health, social connection and community wellbeing.

SportWest looks forward to continuing to work collaboratively with Government, industry and community partners to ensure sport and recreation continues to create healthier, more active and connected communities across Western Australia.