Mental Health Commission
The primary purpose of a Sobering Up Centres (SUC) is to provide a safe, care-oriented environment in which people who are under the influence of alcohol can sober up, diverting them from police lock-ups or the local emergency department. This also reduces the likelihood of causing further harm to themselves or others in the community.
The SUCs provide safe, supervised overnight care with access to showers, laundry facilities and a simple meal. Where appropriate and with consent, people may also be linked to other health, welfare and/or alcohol and other drug treatment services.
People may refer themselves to a centre or be brought in by a local patrol, health/welfare agencies, police or other means. Attendance at a centre is voluntary.
The Mental Health Commission (Commission) contracts nine service providers to operate SUCs outlined in the table below.
| Location | Provider | Address | No. of Beds | Operating Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broome | Milliya Rumurra Aboriginal Corporation | 78 Great Northern Highway Broome | Interim 12 bed facility (New 26 bed facility proposed) | 3.30pm to 7.30am (Mon-Fri and Sun) *To note: unless presented by the WA Police Force, this SUC accepts presentations to midnight. |
| Kununurra | Waringarri Aboriginal Corporation | 32 Speargrass Road Kununurra | 28 | 4pm to 8am (Mon-Fri) |
| Derby | Garl Garl Walbu Aboriginal Corporation | 23 Stanley Street Derby | 28 | 4pm to 7.45am (Mon-Fri) |
| Wyndham | Ngnowar-Aerwah Aboriginal Corporation | 60 Great Northern Highway Wyndham | 17 | 4pm to 8am (Mon-Fri) |
| Port Hedland | Bloodwood Tree Association | 19 Hamilton Road South Hedland | 16 | 4pm to 8am (Mon-Fri) |
| Carnarvon | Carnarvon Family Support Services | 51-53 Olivia Terrace Carnarvon | 10 | 4pm to 8am (Wed-Sat) |
| Kalgoorlie | Bega Garnbirringu Health Service | 16-18 MacDonald Street Kalgoorlie | 19 | 5pm to 8.30am (Mon-Fri) |
| Roebourne | Yaandina Community Services | 9 Queen St Roebourne | 14 | 4pm to 8am (7 days a week) |
| Perth | Salvation Army (Bridge House) | Unit 11/15 Wright St Highgate | 14 | 24 hours (7 days a week) |
2019 Independent Review of Sobering-Up Centres in Western Australia
In 2019, the Commission engaged Nous Group to undertake an independent review of the nine SUCs in Western Australia (WA) to review their current service model and operations.
The 2019 Review concluded that while SUCs remain critical harm-reduction services for vulnerable, intoxicated people, there are several opportunities to enhance the impact of the service for individuals and local communities and to improve value-for-money for government.
The 2019 Review identified 15 recommendations, which were all accepted by the Commission.
Findings highlighted the importance of strong partnerships and cooperation between the Department of Communities (Communities)-funded Aboriginal Community Connectors Program (ACCP) and the Commission-funded SUC services to achieve positive impact in the community.
2024 Sobering Up Centre Review
In 2024, as part of its ongoing commitment to providing high quality community support services, an independent First Nations consultancy (Yamagigu Consulting Pty Ltd) was engaged to conduct a Sobering Up Centre Service Model Review (2024 Review) and consult with service providers, stakeholders, Aboriginal Elders, members of the public and local communities.
The intention of this consultation process is to build on findings from the 2019 Independent Review of SUCs in Western Australia and provide specific recommendations on new service requirements for each specific SUC as part of the SUC Preferred Service Provider (PSP) procurement process. This will be undertaken in 2025-26 (with new service agreements awarded by 1 July 2026).
As part of the 2024 Review, specific consultation also took place in Broome, regarding the proposed new SUC location at 18 Napier Terrace, Broome and its service model. The consultations in Broome were conducted in October 2024 and continued in the remaining SUC regions until December.
Page last updated16 May 2025
