The seniors’ community is welcoming the return of a home security rebate, saying it will allow elderly people to feel safer in their own homes.

The State Government announced a relaunch of the Safety and Security Rebate on Sunday, after the program was previously discontinued in 2015 due to budget constraints.

The rebate allows all Seniors Card holders to claim $400 to put towards home security expenses, such as house alarms and CCTV systems.

“This rebate will allow some of the most vulnerable in our community to have financial support to make their homes safer and more secure,” Police Minister Paul Papalia said in a statement.

Christine Allen, chief executive of the Council on the Ageing Western Australia, says the return of the rebate is good news.

“Anything that helps seniors to be happy and safe in their own homes is good for us,” she says.

“Certainly, there are security systems that cost more than $400, but it’s a start and it’s welcomed by us.”

She says WA’s ageing population means the seniors sector will grow in importance in coming years.

“It’s really important that they can age well and age comfortably and feel safe as they age, so we welcome any funds the Government can support older people with,” she says.

Daniel Gonzalez, the installation and sales manager for home security business Smart Security, says the rebate will be especially helpful when combined with home security rebates from local councils.

“A lady I’ve just seen today, she’s going to get her $400 from the state and then $750 from the Vic Park council,” he says.

“That’s pretty awesome.”

He says $400 alone isn’t enough for a comprehensive security system, but it can make a significant contribution.

“With a basic alarm system, it would be close to paying half of it, so in that sense it’s pretty good,” Mr Gonzalez says.

“With a basic camera system, it’s probably going to chew into about a quarter of it, which isn’t bad.”

Reactions to the rebate news. Video: Josh Kempton.