The Equal Opportunity Act 1984

The Equal Opportunity Act 1984 was enacted by the Western Australian Parliament in 1984 and came into operation in July 1985. Its objectives are:

To eliminate discrimination on the grounds of sex, marital status, pregnancy or breast feeding, family responsibility or family status, race, religious or political conviction, impairment, age or gender history in the areas of work, accommodation, education, the provision of goods, facilities and services, access to places and vehicles, land and the membership of clubs
To eliminate sexual and racial harassment in the workplace, educational institutions and accommodation
To promote community recognition and acceptance of the equality of men and women, and the equality of people of all races, regardless of their religious or political convictions, their impairments or their age.

Equal Opportunity Commission

The Commissioner for Equal Opportunity investigates and tries to conciliate complaints lodged by people who believe they have been discriminated against.

The Commissioner also conducts investigations, research and inquiries into all matters relating to discrimination.

Office of Equal Opportunity in Public Employment

The Director of Equal Opportunity in Public Employment works with government agencies to promote equal employment opportunities in the public sector, and to evaluate the effectiveness of programs and processes put in place to achieve that aim.

State Administrative Tribunal

The State Administrative Tribunal is an independent statutory body, which hears complaints that have been referred by the Commissioner for Equal Opportunity when the conciliation process has failed.

The Tribunal also has the power to grant Interim Orders and Exemptions.