Delivered in partnership with Foodbank, the expansion means more students across eligible public, independent and Catholic schools will be able to access a healthy breakfast more often, giving them the best possible start to their day.
Prior to the expansion, many schools have been providing free breakfasts to students two days a week.
Under the expanded program, eligible schools that deliver or are working towards delivering the program five days a week, will receive funding to assist with supervision costs.
The WA Government has invested $28 million to significantly expand the program from Term 1 this year, delivering on a key 2025 election commitment.
WA Premier Roger Cook said his Government is committed to providing practical, meaningful support to families to assist with cost of living pressures and ensure children get the best possible start to their day.
“The expansion of the School Breakfast Program will ensure more children have the opportunity to begin their day with a nutritious meal,” Cook said in a statement.
“A healthy breakfast is a practical way to ensure students have what they need to start the school day focussed and ready to learn.”
More than 640 schools are now participating in the School Breakfast Program, which has been delivered since 2001, with 533 having signed up for the expanded program to date.
More schools are expected to join the expanded program throughout the year.
Education Minister Sabine Winton is a former primary school teacher and a mother of three daughters, and said she knows how important it is for children to have access to healthy breakfasts to start their morning.
“I am pleased that schools now have access to extra support, which will provide greater consistency for thousands of students,” Winton said.
“This expansion will help boost student wellbeing and learning outcomes and deliver benefits across the broader school community.”
This investment forms part of the Cook Government’s commitment to supporting the wellbeing of Western Australians and assisting families with cost of living pressures.
School breakfast programs in Australia are largely run by Foodbank Australia, and provide free, nutritious breakfasts to thousands of students, aiming to combat hunger and improve educational outcomes.
Foodbank NSW & ACT runs a primary school breakfast program in NSW, providing free, nutritious breakfasts (cereal, milk, fruit, toast) to more than 800 schools. The program aims to reduce hunger, boost student focus, and aid families with cost-of-living pressures.
The NSW Government is expanding this and is aiming for 1000 schools by 2027.
Victoria’s School Breakfast Clubs program, delivered in partnership with Foodbank Victoria, operates with a flexible model, including “grab and go” options. Launched in 2016, it offers breakfasts, lunch, and take-home meals, aiming to improve education outcomes and support disadvantaged students.
In SA and NT, Foodbank SA & NT supports hundreds of schools with food staples.
The Tasmanian Government, in partnership with Variety Tasmania, is at present implementing a major expansion of school breakfast programs to all government schools, backed by a $6.5 million investment over four years.
Currently operating in 40 schools, the program provides free, nutritious breakfasts, with 30 additional schools joining in Term 1, this year.
Other key operators include Kickstart for Kids in SA (serving 60,000+ breakfasts/week) and Eat Up Australia.
