The $572 million redevelopment of Bunbury Regional Hospital has hit its first milestone, with a dedicated Mental Health Observation Area now open and an upgraded fast-track emergency section running alongside it.

The Mental Health Observation Area (MHOA) operates around the clock, admitting patients aged 18 to 65 for short-stay stabilisation of up to 72 hours. It’s designed to give patients a calmer, therapeutic setting away from the noise and pressure of the main emergency department. The upgraded fast-track area adds 10 bays to assess and discharge non-acute patients within two hours; during peak periods, two of those bays can flex to support MHOA demand. The completion was confirmed in a WA Government media statement and reported by Mirage News.

Health Infrastructure Minister John Carey said the MHOA represents a major investment in mental health access across the South West. Premier Roger Cook put the broader project in context: “This project represents the biggest investment in regional health infrastructure ever made in WA, which will deliver more beds and modern medical services for this important region.”

Stage 1 construction began in February 2025 and is being run by managing contractor Multiplex Perkins Unincorporated Joint Venture. Work at this stage includes piling for a new seven-storey clinical tower and a helideck. An extra $20.3 million was allocated in the 2025-26 State Budget to keep the project on track, bringing the total to $572 million. The WA Government’s Building for Tomorrow project page shows main construction works are due to wrap in early 2028, with hospital services coming online progressively from mid-2028. The Emergency Department Short Stay Unit and G block refurbishment follow, finishing by mid-2029.

When complete, Bunbury Regional Hospital will be the largest hospital in regional WA and will house the state’s first regional healthcare training, education and research centre. The project sits inside the Cook Government’s $5.5 billion hospital building program.

For tradies in the South West, this is one of the more sustained work pipelines in the region. The site needs concreters, steelworkers, electricians, plumbers, mechanical services workers, and fit-out trades through to at least mid-2029. Anyone chasing work or subcontracting opportunities should be watching Multiplex Perkins as the managing contractor.

Frequently asked questions

When will the Bunbury Regional Hospital redevelopment be finished?

Main construction is due to wrap in early 2028. Hospital services will come online progressively from mid-2028, with the Emergency Department Short Stay Unit and G block refurbishment finishing by mid-2029.

Who is the managing contractor for the Bunbury hospital rebuild?

Multiplex Perkins Unincorporated Joint Venture is the managing contractor. Stage 1 construction began in February 2025.

What trades are needed on the Bunbury hospital project?

The site needs concreters, steelworkers, electricians, plumbers, mechanical services workers, and fit-out trades through to at least mid-2029. Subcontracting opportunities should be directed to Multiplex Perkins.

Sourced from WA Government, Mirage News, Build Australia, Building for Tomorrow (WA Government). Original article.