New Pilbara Hospitals take step forward with contracts awarded

The State Government is progressing new hospitals for Tom Price and Paraburdoo, awarding main works contracts to Cooper & Oxley as part of its record $5.5 billion health infrastructure pipeline.

The contracts cover construction, fit-out and landscaping at both hospitals, marking a major step towards modern, purpose-built facilities that will support Pilbara communities to access high-quality healthcare closer to home. Main works are expected to start later this year at Tom Price and next year at Paraburdoo, with early works well underway at both sites.

Hospital services will remain operational throughout construction, ensuring local communities can continue to access care.

The new Tom Price Hospital is supported by a $20 million commitment from Rio Tinto and will feature a new emergency department, contemporary primary care facilities with private interview and consultation rooms, a four-bed inpatient ward, and dental and pathology services.

The contract award builds on progress already made at Tom Price. The first stage of early works was completed earlier this year, including critical flood mitigation and site preparation. The second stage has since progressed, with concrete floor and suspended slabs completed, all inground services installed and erection of primary steelwork underway.

The new Paraburdoo Hospital will bring emergency, primary and community care together in a modern, integrated facility, featuring a new emergency department, a two-bed short stay unit and a private GP clinic. The project includes a $20 million contribution through Rio Tinto's $250 million commitment to the State Government's Resources Community Investment Initiative.  

Early works are underway at Paraburdoo, including demolition of the northern hospital block, construction of the new hospital building ground pad and establishment of temporary parking facilities.  

The milestones follow a spate of regional hospital completions in 2026 with the major redevelopment of Geraldton Health Campus - the biggest in more than two decades - finishing in mid-2026, and both the new Laverton Hospital and Mullewa Hospitals reaching practical completion in recent weeks.