The Western Australian government plans to build more than 500 houses for frontline workers, including teachers, police and nurses, in towns like Broome, Port Hedland and Karratha over the next five years.
The $419 million of funding, to be included in next week's 2026-27 state budget, is part of an overall $692 million investment in regional housing initiatives.
It includes $170 million from Rio Tinto, BHP and Hancock Prospecting.
WA Premier Roger Cook said the state's regional worker housing program (GROH) had been a long-term challenge for governments.
"What we've tended to do in the past, governments have a modest build out of GROH housing, then we tend to cannibalise local markets," he told reporters on Tuesday.
"That puts pressure on the local housing market.
"By focusing on GROH housing, we're not only delivering great services, we're not only making sure we have more workers available, but we're taking pressure off local markets"
The plan is part of the Cook government's seven cities vision for regional WA, to deliver infrastructure and services in a bid to boost economic development.
"Western Australia's economy is the strongest in the nation, and its regions have been the key to that economic success," Mr Cook said.
"The challenges that we have in housing right across the state, not just in regional WA, are because of the economic and population growth, and so we all have a role to play to continue to meet those challenges."
Other seven cities initiatives included as part of the 2026-27 budget include $89.1 million for key upgrades at Bunbury's Casuarina Boat Harbour and $60 million to deliver a new 32-bed modular ward at Albany Health Campus.
Another $40.7 million will be budgeted to deliver up to 111 new residential lots in Broome, and $45 million will be allocated to support increased services between Perth and Bunbury when the Australind train service reopens in May.
The other regional cities in the seven cities plan are Albany, Bunbury, Kalgoorlie and Geraldton.
Rio Tinto's contribution to the housing funding will also deliver more housing in Wickham, Tom Price, Paraburdoo and Roebourne.
The WA Nationals said the seven cities plan highlighted the lack of long-term planning and under-investment in regional development.
"Regional development is not just about building houses," leader Shane Love said.Â
"It's about water security, reliable power, transport corridors, and the infrastructure that makes towns liveable, connected and able to grow."
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