2024-25 WA State Budget

The 2024-25 State Budget has been announced– find key investments for your industries below. This article will be updated with links to budget analysis as they are published:
 
Tourism, Hospitality, Events

• $165 million Outdoor Adventure Tourism package to include: 
  • boating and maritime facilities across the State
  • trails and other recreational facilities
  • upgrades and new camp sites in regional WA and in Perth. 
  • initiatives to support sustainable tourism at the Houtman Abrolhos Islands
  • phase one of the Kalbarri foreshore and beaches revitalisation initiative
  • upgrades at the Gloucester and Bicentennial Trees in the Pemberton area, to allow climbing to reopen on the iconic trees.

• ​$150 million into Rottnest Island to include: 
  • the planning and development of new staff accommodation for island businesses.
  • upgrading wastewater infrastructure across the island,
  • the relocation of barge and freight operations from the Main Jetty to South Thomson Bay, with the redevelopment of the Army Groyne.
  • resurfacing the runway and installation of perimeter fencing at the Rottnest Airport
• $35.5 million wharf works to strengthen berth decking and improve fendering for cruise visits at Fremantle Passenger Terminal
• $5 million for B Shed upgrade to further activate the Victoria Quay precinct
• An additional $25 million has been allocated over the next four years to the Major Events Fund and $3.6 million for a new Metro Events program.
• $4.9 million to continue the Tourism Workforce Development Program
• $1 million to boost the State's cruise tourism program, to help deliver the WA Cruise Tourism Strategic Plan 2023-2033.
• $500,000 for feasibility studies for new tourism attractions.

Sport and Recreation

• $7 million top-up to the Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund, bringing total investment in 2024-25 to $26 million, supporting 35 projects across the State.
• $10.9 million for key maintenance at WA sporting venues
• $5.1 million in funding will go towards refurbishments, upgrades and improved access arrangements at HBF Arena and HBF Stadium.
• $1.35 million to support Western Australian athletes heading to the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games
• The WA Rugby Centre will benefit from almost $1 million in facility upgrades, including modifications to changerooms to ensure gender equal access.

 
Training

• The Year 9 Career Taster Program and TAFE College Lecturers Industry Placement Program confirmed as ongoing and permanent programs beyond 2025.
• TAFE infrastructure upgrades to $250 million under the Rebuilding our TAFEs program.
• $8 million top-up to continue the successful Fee Free TAFE initiative in 2025.

Arts

• $6 million funding uplift for arts organisations, including for the Black Swan State Theatre Company, Marrugeku, West Australian Ballet, WA Opera and West Australian Symphony Orchestra.
• One-off funding of $359,000 for 35 small to medium organisations through the Government’s Arts Organisation Investment Program (AOIP)
• $300,000 over three years for the Bunbury Regional Gallery and Geraldton Regional Gallery.

Screen:

• $13 million to fund a screen industry workforce development plan and encourage digital games production, bringing investment under the WA Screen Industry Strategy to $32 million.
• $233 million to progress construction of WA’s new screen production facility in Malaga

​Technology:

• $53 million to establish a Founders Factory accelerator in WA to support entrepreneurs and start-ups, as well as to continue STEM initiatives, support growth in the State’s space industry and for new exhibits at Scitech.

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The State Budget Summary may be accessed here, and details for Arts, Sport, Recreation and Tourism can be found on page 21. 

Analysis:
ABC News overview
The West Australian five minute guide
Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre budget reflections 
Chamber of Arts and Culture WA media statement
AHA (WA) Media Statement