Western Australia
The Western Australian Equal Opportunity Commission
The Equal Opportunity Commission has two major roles. The first is to encourage recognition and an understanding of the principles of equal opportunity. Laws alone do not end intolerance, prejudice and discrimination in our community - so education is a vital part of the Commission’s function.
The second is to provide a means of redress to individuals who allege unlawful discrimination. Since the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 was proclaimed in 1985, the Commission has received more than 125,000 enquiries and handled more than 10,500 complaints.
The Commission is also involved in a number of projects designed to address the underlying causes of discrimination, often in partnership with other agencies.
The Commission is committed to working across Government and the community to assist in removing systemic and covert discrimination where it exists.
Training and education
The Commission provides a variety of services that seek to inform and promote the principles of equal opportunity to individuals, employers, employees, equal opportunity coordinators, representatives of public and private sector agencies as well as community and voluntary groups.
Commission Staff deal with any general concerns or queries about rights and responsibilities under equal opportunity laws.
Training sessions, seminars, workshops and papers are regularly presented by Commission staff, in particular the Commissioner and Community Education Officers. These seek to enhance understanding of the principles of Equal Opportunity, as well as increase recognition of the provisions contained in the Act. To find out more about our training programs visit the Training and education section of the Equal Opportunity Commission website.
A range of publications is produced each year. These include a Reference Guide to the Act, and brochures which cover the grounds and areas of discrimination. To access our publications, including Annual reports and reviews on the nature and scope of discrimination on specific matters prepared under sections 80, 81 and 82 of the Act, visit the publications area of the Equal Opportunity Commission website.
Complaints of unlawful discrimination
The Commission can investigate and attempt to conciliate allegations, which have been received in writing, of unfair treatment because of one of the grounds in the Act, which occur in one of the areas of public life set out in the Act.
To find out more about making a complaint visit the Discrimination and harassment page on the Commission's website.
Other projects
The Substantive Equality Unit with the Commission addresses racism within procedures and practices of public sector agencies; examines recruitment practices and ensures that services delivered meet the needs of the diverse range of clients that utilise the services offered by public sector agencies. The Commission is one of the project partners along with Office of Multicultural Interests, Department of Indigenous Affairs, Department of Premier and Cabinet, and Office of Equal Employment Opportunity coordinating the implementation of this five-year project.
Annual reports and reviews on the nature and scope of discrimination on specific matters prepared under sections 80, 81 and 82 of the Act are also available.
Contact us
Level 2
Westralia Square
141 St Georges Terrace
PERTH WA 6000
PO Box 7370
Cloisters Square
PERTH WA 6850
General enquiries: 08 9216 3900
Training courses: 08 9216 3927
Facsimile: 08 9216 3960
Country callers: 1800 198 149
TTY: 08 9216 3936
An interpreter can be arranged on request
Email: eoc@eoc.wa.gov.au
Website: www.eoc.wa.gov.au