Early Years Partnership delivers $10.45m in new funding to support brighter futures for WA children
Western Australian children and families will benefit from a $10.45 million funding boost to expand and accelerate initiatives delivered through the Early Years Partnership (EYP); a philanthropy and government initiative designed to give children the best possible start in life.
The funding, which includes $5.45 million from Minderoo Foundation and $5 million from the West Australian Government, as set aside in the 2026-2027 State Budget, will deliver more health, infrastructure and early years supports to four communities across the state.
This includes 14 new projects and funding boosts for four existing projects across the EYP communities of Armadale West, Central Great Southern, Derby and Bidyadanga.
The EYP is a decade-long collaboration between Minderoo and the State Government, working alongside local communities to improve child wellbeing and development outcomes in the first five years of life.
Minderoo Foundation CEO John Hartman said this partnership is a powerful example of government, philanthropy and communities working together to improve long‑term outcomes for children.
“This partnership is built on the belief that communities themselves hold the knowledge and solutions needed to support their children. By backing locally led initiatives, we are strengthening the environments that help families flourish and giving children the foundations for lifelong wellbeing,” Mr Hartman said.
“The earliest years of a child’s life shape every year that follows. This investment will help ensure more Western Australian children have the opportunities they need to thrive.
“We are pleased to continue working alongside the Western Australian Government and the four partner communities to deliver meaningful, lasting change for children across the state.”
The additional funding will support a range of initiatives designed to improve access, strengthen services and enhance early childhood development, including:
- Further investment in transport solutions in each of the four communities to support children and families access critical early learning activities and child development appointments
- Improved early years infrastructure in Mowanjum and Pandanus Park (Derby)
- Additional accommodation for visiting service providers in Bidyadanga, improving access to specialist supports
- Support to develop place-based cultural competency tools to strengthen service provider capability
- Innovation funding to improve dental and ear health outcomes in regional communities
- Coordination funding for the Armadale West Early Years Hub
- Expand the Tiny Moments Early Intervention Program in Armadale West
These projects form part of each community’s evidence‑based plan, developed through extensive engagement with families, service providers and local leaders.
The Early Years Partnership will continue to bring together community leaders, state and federal government, researchers, and philanthropy to achieve better outcomes for Western Australian children and their families.