• McGowan Government providing almost $9 million over two years to tenancy advocates and legal centres across WA
• Funding in 2023-24 State Budget to enable tenants in need of help to access advice, assistance and legal support at little or no cost

Community legal centres across Western Australia will receive a funding boost in the 2023-24 State Budget to provide advice and support to the increased number of residential tenants requiring assistance in the current tight rental market.

The McGowan Government will provide $4.5 million per year, over the next two financial years, to the Tenancy Advice and Education Service (TAES) program. This represents a more than 36 per cent increase on the current funding level of $3.3 million per year.

The new money will be distributed to recipients by Consumer Protection, including Circle Green and 15 other metropolitan and regional community legal centres.

These community-based organisations help tenants to resolve issues with their landlord or property manager, such as negotiating lease renewals or terminations, dealing with rent increases and resolving bond disputes. Should the dispute need to go before the Magistrates Court, free or low-cost legal assistance is available to low-income renters.

The services are intended to complement the advice and assistance provided by Consumer Protection. More information and a list of community legal centres involved in the TAES program are available on the Consumer Protection website.

For more information, visit https://www.ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au

Comments attributed to Commerce Minister Sue Ellery:

"This boost in funding responds to the increase in demand for support services provided by community-based tenancy advocates and legal centres, as WA renters face increasing challenges.

"The McGowan Government recognises that tenants are doing it tough. By boosting the funding for community support groups, tenants will be able to get the help they need at little or no cost to deal with challenges such as rising rents and ending leases they can no longer afford in order to find cheaper rentals.

"The McGowan Government is restoring the TAES funding to pre-2016 levels, which was before this vital program was cut by 25 per cent under the former Liberal-National Government."

Minister's office - 6552 5700