Lexi Webster
Australia has experienced a marked decrease in precipitation levels since 1994, with some areas suffering from severe rainfall deficits. Western Australia is no exception, with parts of the state having been declared water deficient in May 2019 after months of drought. The region has a history of drought, with notable periods occurring from 1911-1915, 1937-1945, and again in 1965-1968. More recently, in 2025, rainfall was below average in western and inland Western Australia, and streamflow was at record lows at many sites across the region. Climate change is expected to bring longer and more frequent droughts to southern Western Australia, with dry seasons becoming more common.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is Western Australia in drought? | Parts of Western Australia have been in drought in the past and are currently experiencing drought conditions. |
| Regions | South-west, south-east, and inland Western Australia. |
| Rainfall | Below average rainfall in Western Australia, particularly in the south-west and inland regions. |
| Soil Moisture | Soil moisture deficits, particularly in deeper soils, impacting crop and pasture growth. |
| Streamflow | Below-average streamflow recorded in Western Australia. |
| Water Storages | Water storages in Western Australia have declined by up to 50% compared to the previous year. |
| Temperature | Western Australia's average temperature has risen by about 1°C in the last 50 years. |
| Future Projections | Southern Western Australia is expected to experience more frequent dry seasons due to climate change. |
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What You'll Learn
Western Australia's climate change
Western Australia has experienced significant climate change over the last century, particularly in the last 50 years, with a rise in average temperature of about 1°C. The region has also seen a decrease in precipitation levels since 1994, with southern Western Australia becoming drier, especially during the cool season months from April to October. This trend is expected to continue, with dry seasons likely to become more frequent in the region.
Western Australia experienced severe rainfall deficits from April to November 2000, impacting water inflow into dams and grain production. The state has also been affected by drought in recent years, with two southern parts of the state declared "water deficient" by May 2019. In July 2025, while tropical moisture from a northwest cloudband brought widespread rainfall to the southeast, western and inland Western Australia experienced below-average rainfall. This trend of declining rainfall is associated with higher surface atmospheric pressure and a shift in large-scale weather patterns.
The Western Australian Government is working with the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund to address the challenges posed by climate change. The state has experienced "dry seasons," which severely affect annual pasture production due to low rainfall. These dry seasons are expected to become more frequent, particularly in southern Western Australia, impacting agriculture and livestock.
The impacts of climate change and drought in Western Australia are felt across various sectors, including agriculture and water resources. Farmers struggle with crop failures, livestock losses, and increased costs for feed. Water storages in the state have declined, and some towns have implemented water restrictions. The drying trend in Western Australia is consistent with the broader pattern of southern Australia becoming drier, with forecasts suggesting that the region may experience longer and more frequent droughts in the future due to changing climate patterns.
Overall, Western Australia is experiencing the impacts of climate change, with rising temperatures and decreasing precipitation. These changes have led to more frequent dry seasons and droughts, affecting agriculture, water resources, and the region's natural environment. Adaptive measures and sustainable water management strategies are crucial to mitigate the effects of climate change and ensure the region's resilience and sustainability.
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Drought in Western Australia in 2000
Western Australia has experienced a marked decrease in precipitation levels since 1994. Between 2017 and 2019, severe drought developed across much of eastern and inland Australia, extending into parts of Western Australia.
In 2000, rainfall in Western Australia was closer to average, with isolated areas affected by rainfall well below average. Water use by the cotton industry fell by 37% between 2000/2001 and 2004/2005, mainly due to the drought. Around 20 cotton communities and 10,000 people directly employed by the industry were impacted.
In 2020, two southern parts of Western Australia were declared "water deficient" after months of drought. In July 2025, rainfall was below average for small areas in western and inland Western Australia. Soil moisture deficits remain in deeper soils, which is an indicator of agricultural drought affecting crop and pasture growth.
Overall, while Western Australia has experienced drought conditions in the past, the situation in 2000 appears to have been less severe compared to other years, with rainfall closer to average during that time.
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Drought impact on agriculture
Western Australia has been experiencing below-average rainfall since 1994, with some areas reporting record-low levels. In 2018, two southern parts of the state were declared "water deficient", and in 2025, rainfall deficiencies continued in western and inland areas.
Drought is one of the most feared and costly climate challenges in Australia, and it has a significant impact on the agriculture industry. Low soil moisture levels resulting from drought affect crop emergence, establishment, and growth, leading to crop failures and reduced grain production. For example, in 2010, Western Australia experienced extremely low rainfall, resulting in a severe decrease in grain production. This is particularly detrimental to wheat production, which has been increasing in Western Australia due to improved farming technologies.
Drought also affects the pasture growth required for livestock, causing stock losses. During the southern winter cropping season, low soil moisture can impact the growth of pastures needed for livestock grazing, leading to scarce stock feed and difficulties in feeding cattle and sheep. This can result in heavy losses of sheep and cattle, as seen during the Federation Drought in the late 1900s.
Additionally, drought conditions can set the scene for bushfires, dust storms, and land degradation. For instance, the Black Friday bushfires of 1939 were preceded by an extremely dry six-month spell in Victorian forests.
Farm businesses are also financially impacted by drought, as yields below 70% of the average can result in difficulty covering farm operating costs. The prolonged nature of droughts further exacerbates these challenges, with effects that can last for years and an uncertain end date.
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Water restrictions in Western Australia
Water restrictions have been enacted in many cities and regions in Australia, which is the Earth's driest inhabited continent. These restrictions are in response to chronic water shortages resulting from widespread drought. Western Australia is no exception to this, with water restrictions being implemented in various towns and regions when poor rainfall has led to water shortages.
For example, in the summer of 1977-1978, Perth was subject to a total sprinkler ban. Newman and Nullagine experienced water restrictions from 1991 onwards due to drought. The resort towns of Yallingup and Dunsborough also experienced water restrictions in 1997 during a heatwave, and Kalgoorlie-Boulder had temporary water restrictions imposed in 1998 due to reservoir shortages. A Stage 1 ban on using reticulation sprinklers between 9 am and 6 pm was imposed on Perth residents in 1996 and remains in place today.
In addition to these past instances, Western Australia continues to face water scarcity issues. In May 2019, two southern parts of the state were declared "water deficient" after months of drought. The drying climate in the southwest of the state has led to the introduction of permanent water-efficiency measures by the State Government, including restricting the use of sprinklers during the day, implementing sprinkler rosters, and enforcing the winter sprinkler switch-off. These measures aim to reduce water usage and slow the decline in groundwater levels.
To ensure compliance with water restrictions, Western Australia has implemented measures such as the Waterwise helpline, where individuals can report suspected breaches of the watering roster or water wastage. On-the-spot fines of $100 are issued for violations. These restrictions and enforcement actions demonstrate the ongoing efforts to manage water resources effectively in Western Australia.
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Drought-prone areas in Western Australia
Western Australia has experienced a marked decrease in precipitation levels since 1994. The state has been affected by several significant droughts over the past century, with the most recent one occurring in 2018-2019. During this period, two southern parts of Western Australia were declared "water deficient", with rainfall totals in the lowest 10% of historical observations. This drought impacted water inflow into dams and grain production, causing severe financial strain on the agriculture industry.
Western Australia's climate has changed significantly over the last century, with average temperatures rising by about 1°C in the last 50 years. The region has been experiencing drier conditions, particularly during the cool season months from April to October. This trend is expected to continue, with dry seasons likely to become more frequent and severe in southern Western Australia. The number of months spent in drought conditions has been increasing, indicating that some parts of the region are becoming more drought-prone.
Historically, Western Australia has been vulnerable to droughts, with notable events occurring in the Fortescue area in 1918-1920, and in the southwest in 1914, leading to crop failures. More recently, in 2013, dry conditions developed in the west of Queensland and spread to the coastal fringe and ranges of southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales. While these conditions eased in early 2014, they persisted in eastern regions, affecting livestock and crop production.
The Western Australian Government is working with the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund to address the challenges posed by drought and climate change. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development provides valuable data and information on seasonal weather and forecasts to assist growers and agribusinesses in managing drought conditions and their agricultural consequences.
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Frequently asked questions
Parts of Western Australia are currently experiencing drought conditions. In 2025, rainfall was below average for small areas in western and inland Western Australia.
Western Australia has experienced droughts in the past. Notably, in 2000, a large area in the western part of the state, from Exmouth to Albany to Esperance, suffered severe rainfall deficits. Historically, Western Australia has also experienced droughts during World War II (1937-1945), 1918-1920, and 1911-1915.
Droughts in Western Australia are influenced by various factors, including climate change and natural weather patterns. The Indian Ocean Dipole, Madden-Julian Oscillation, El Niño-Southern Oscillation, and other climate drivers can impact the likelihood of droughts breaking.
The Western Australian Government works with the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund to address drought-related challenges. They also provide data and information on seasonal weather and offer assistance to growers and agribusinesses during dry years.
