Politics · Australia · 14 hrs ago
Report estimates 456,000 people in Western Australia are living in poverty
A new report estimates that 456,000 people in Western Australia, including almost 99,000 children, are living in poverty in 2026.
It puts the share of the state’s population in poverty at 15.1 per cent, up from 11.8 per cent in 2021.
The report points to rising housing costs and household incomes that are not enough to meet basic needs.
Western Australian Premier Roger Cook said his government had provided $1 billion in cost-of-living relief in the state budget, covering areas such as transport, school costs and fuel.
He said governments at all levels need to work together so people do not miss out on support.
Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas argued that the state’s measures are not working if 15 per cent of residents are in poverty.
The report recommends prioritising affordable housing, supporting renters under financial pressure and ensuring incomes keep pace with living costs.
A new report estimates that 456,000 people in Western Australia, including almost 99,000 children, are living in poverty in 2026.
The Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre report says 15.1 per cent of the state’s population is in poverty, up from 11.8 per cent in 2021.
The report points to rising housing costs and inadequate household incomes and recommends making affordable housing a poverty-reduction priority.
Premier Roger Cook defended the state’s cost-of-living measures, while Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas said the government’s support is not working.
- Who
- An estimated 456,000 Western Australians, including almost 99,000 children, are living in poverty.
- What
- A report estimates poverty in Western Australia has risen to 15.1 per cent of the population.
- When
- The estimate is for 2026. The report compares it with 2021.
- Where
- Western Australia.
- Why
- The report points to rising housing costs and inadequate household incomes.
Roger Cook
Basil Zempilas
Government response
Roger Cook
Cook said the state had provided $1 billion in cost-of-living relief in the budget and had targeted measures across several areas.
Basil Zempilas
Zempilas said government support was not working, citing the share of Western Australians living on or below the poverty line.
Priorities
Roger Cook
Cook said governments at all levels need to work together to stop people falling through the cracks.
Basil Zempilas
Zempilas said the state government should focus on housing, health, police resources and the cost of living.
We acknowledge that there are Western Australians at the moment that are doing it tough, and that’s one of the reasons why we’ve provided a billion dollars in this budget alone of cost-of-living relief for Western Australians.
If 15 per cent of West Australians are living on or below the poverty line, what do you think they think when they hear the state government talk about the most prosperous state in the nation?
Poverty is not just about how many people fall below a particular income threshold. It’s also about how far their incomes fall short of what they need to maintain a basic standard of living.
The share of Western Australians living in poverty was 11.8 per cent, according to the report.
The report estimates that 15.1 per cent of Western Australians are living in poverty.
Cook and Zempilas responded to the report, which was published that day.
- People estimated to be in poverty
- 456,000
- Children estimated to be in poverty
- Almost 99,000
- Share of population in poverty in 2026
- 15.1 per cent
- Share of population in poverty in 2021
- 11.8 per cent
- Cost-of-living relief in the state budget
- $1 billion
Sources
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