West Australians are dobbing in their neighbours over dole bludging and welfare fraud in record numbers.

New figures from the Department of Human Services reveal WA residents informed on their neighbours 8189 times last financial year, up from 7121 two years ago.

As the Government cracks down on people defrauding the system, authorities received 108,798 tip-offs nationwide, with 118 welfare cheats referred to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.

Almost $40 million in welfare debts was recovered as a result.

With the Government putting more effort into tackling welfare fraud than ever before, Human Services Minister Alan Tudge said nothing annoyed taxpayers more than others ripping them off. He said it was an unfortunate reality that some people deliberately defrauded the system.

“Tip-offs have become a very important source of information which helps us discover fraud, and ensure people who commit it are caught and prosecuted where appropriate,” Mr Tudge said.

NSW had the highest number of public informants, with 31,041 tip-offs sent in, followed by Queensland, where residents dobbed in a neighbour 25,487 times.

Tip-offs can be made over the phone, email, online or via direct contact with a local MP.

Phoebe Wearne