The Western Australian government has announced the latest allocation of funding under its Infrastructure Development Fund (IDF), paving the way for 1,500 new apartments in key infill areas across metropolitan Perth.
Seventeen new projects will benefit from the Infrastructure Development Fund’s Stream 1 – Targeted Apartment Rebate program, which aims to accelerate housing supply by removing infrastructure barriers that hinder medium to high-density residential development.
The fund assists eligible developments with upfront costs associated with connecting to essential water, wastewater, and electricity services — costs that can often delay or derail apartment projects.
The latest round will support construction in locations well linked to transport nodes and activity centres, including Wellard, Warwick, and Canning Vale.
According to the state government, the initiative addresses infrastructure constraints that have historically limited infill housing potential, allowing developers to bring much-needed apartment projects to market sooner.
The focus on well-connected infill areas supports the government’s broader housing strategy of urban consolidation and diversity, ensuring Perth’s future growth is sustainable and affordable.
Treasurer and Finance Minister Rita Saffioti said the Infrastructure Development Fund plays a critical role in supporting Western Australia’s housing pipeline by directly tackling the high upfront service costs that often deter investment in higher-density projects.
“Our government understands the cost of connecting to utilities can be a barrier for high-density projects and we are stepping up with unprecedented support for industry through the Infrastructure Development Fund,” she said.
“This fund is delivering more homes and more housing choice for Western Australians, helping apartments get off the ground across the state.”
Planning and Lands Minister John Carey said the new allocation would not only deliver more apartments but also contribute to the state’s affordable and social housing stock.
“This latest allocation of the Cook government’s Infrastructure Development Fund supports the delivery of 17 developments, comprising 1,500 new well-located apartments,” Carey said.
“Importantly, this allocation will also see infrastructure funding allocated for the development of 62 affordable and social homes.
“Since the launch of the $80 million fund, Stream 1 alone has supported 129 new apartment developments across Perth, ultimately assisting in the development of 9,500 new homes.”
The Infrastructure Development Fund was first introduced to unlock opportunities for urban infill and higher-density living by offsetting developer costs and removing service connection bottlenecks.
The program is structured across multiple funding streams, including Stream 1 – the Targeted Apartment Rebate, and Stream 2 – Unlocking Infill Precincts.
Both streams are currently open for applications until 31 December 2025, or until the allocation of funds is exhausted.