The WCC for this financial year far exceeds the $1.6 billion that had been predicted, leaving plenty of extra cash to spend on big ticket items like health, housing and cost-of-living relief.

The state's riches have been underpinned by higher-than-expected iron ore royalties, driven largely by continued, strong demand from China — WA's biggest trading partner.

An ever-growing stream of GST revenue from Canberra due to the strong economy and rising inflation has also bolstered the state's bottom line.

The 2023-2024 surplus is projected to be a slightly more modest $3.3 billion, with the iron ore price expected to drop — but they said that last year too.

A $715 million cost-of-living package, jointly funded by the state and federal governments, will mean every household in the state gets a $400 power bill credit as a minimum.

Around 350,000, or about one third of households, including pensioners and health care card holders, will receive a total of $826 in support, thanks to an extra federal government subsidy.

Household fees and charges will be kept below the rate of inflation for the fourth year in a row, with the overall cost of a basket of goods rising by 2.4 per cent — lower than the rate of inflation, which is expected to fall to 3.5 per cent in 2023-2024.

Electricity and water charges will rise by 2.5 per cent, public transport fares by 2 per cent and vehicle licensing charges by 3.9 per cent.

The hardship utilities credit will be boosted by 10 per cent to $640 per household, the seniors' cost of living rebate will be increased in line with inflation and eligible small businesses will receive a $650 electricity credit.

The $400 power bill credit that will be received by two thirds of households is equal to the credit dished out last year, but less than the $600 provided the year before.

But while it all helps, households are still worse off overall this year as they grapple with the sky-high rate of inflation.

The McGowan government has pledged $2.7 billion in spending on health and mental health facilities, bringing the total spend in the sector to $10 billion since 2021.

This includes $841 million on hospital services, $78 million for COVID prevention and $75 million on addressing emergency department pressures.

There will be $28.5 million allocated to attract and retain health care workers, with HECS-HELP loans up to $12,000 being paid for nurses and midwives starting jobs in regional WA.

The new Women and Babies Hospital being built in the Fiona Stanley precinct will be given $544 million, while the Bentley Health Service SurgiCentre will get $150 million.

The budget will see $420 million spent on mental health, with $219 million set aside for stage one of the expansion of Graylands Hospital.

There will be $82.6 million spent on mental health hospital services, and $35.5 million to improve mental health in children and adolescents.

Other spending will devote $99.4 million to the electronic medical records roll out, $58 million for IT improvements and $24.4 million for the WACHS mental health emergency telehealth service.

The $4.2 billion surplus for this financial year far exceeds the $1.6 billion that had been predicted, leaving plenty of extra cash to spend on big ticket items like health, housing and cost-of-living relief.

The state's riches have been underpinned by higher-than-expected iron ore royalties, driven largely by continued, strong demand from China — WA's biggest trading partner.

An ever-growing stream of GST revenue from Canberra due to the strong economy and rising inflation has also bolstered the state's bottom line.

The 2023-2024 surplus is projected to be a slightly more modest $3.3 billion, with the iron ore price expected to drop — but they said that last year too.

A $715 million cost-of-living package, jointly funded by the state and federal governments, will mean every household in the state gets a $400 power bill credit as a minimum.

Around 350,000, or about one third of households, including pensioners and health care card holders, will receive a total of $826 in support, thanks to an extra federal government subsidy.

Household fees and charges will be kept below the rate of inflation for the fourth year in a row, with the overall cost of a basket of goods rising by 2.4 per cent — lower than the rate of inflation, which is expected to fall to 3.5 per cent in 2023-2024.

Electricity and water charges will rise by 2.5 per cent, public transport fares by 2 per cent and vehicle licensing charges by 3.9 per cent.

The hardship utilities credit will be boosted by 10 per cent to $640 per household, the seniors' cost of living rebate will be increased in line with inflation and eligible small businesses will receive a $650 electricity credit.

The $400 power bill credit that will be received by two thirds of households is equal to the credit dished out last year, but less than the $600 provided the year before.

But while it all helps, households are still worse off overall this year as they grapple with the sky-high rate of inflation.

The McGowan government has pledged $2.7 billion in spending on health and mental health facilities, bringing the total spend in the sector to $10 billion since 2021.

This includes $841 million on hospital services, $78 million for COVID prevention and $75 million on addressing emergency department pressures.

There will be $28.5 million allocated to attract and retain health care workers, with HECS-HELP loans up to $12,000 being paid for nurses and midwives starting jobs in regional WA.

The new Women and Babies Hospital being built in the Fiona Stanley precinct will be given $544 million, while the Bentley Health Service SurgiCentre will get $150 million.

The budget will see $420 million spent on mental health, with $219 million set aside for stage one of the expansion of Graylands Hospital.

There will be $82.6 million spent on mental health hospital services, and $35.5 million to improve mental health in children and adolescents.

Other spending will devote $99.4 million to the electronic medical records roll out, $58 million for IT improvements and $24.4 million for the WACHS mental health emergency telehealth service.