Apply for Reasonable Adjustment - Perth Bylaws

In Perth, Western Australia, requests for reasonable adjustments for access, events, premises or council services usually go through the City of Perth community and access services and may also be supported by state or federal discrimination law. This guide explains practical steps to request an adjustment from city authorities, who enforces obligations, common outcomes, and how to escalate if you are not satisfied. Where a specific municipal form or fee is not published by the City, this article notes that fact and directs you to the correct office for a direct application or informal request.

What is a reasonable adjustment in Perth

A reasonable adjustment is a change to a place, service, policy or practice that enables a person with disability to participate on the same basis as others. At the municipal level this typically covers access to council facilities, events, consultation processes and service delivery; legal obligations may also flow from state or federal equality laws and policy guidance. For City of Perth procedures and access planning contact the council's access services page City of Perth - Access & Inclusion^[1].

How to request an adjustment

• Identify the specific change you need (physical access, seating, communication support, entry arrangements).
• Contact the City of Perth customer service or the access officer and describe the adjustment, providing supporting documentation if available.
• Allow reasonable processing time; ask for an expected response timeframe when you lodge the request.
• Keep records of the request, replies and any offered alternative measures.
• If the council declines or does not respond, ask for reasons in writing and the internal review or appeal pathway.

Penalties & Enforcement

Municipal webpages about access and inclusion generally set policy and contact paths but do not typically list criminal penalties for failing to make a reasonable adjustment; specific fine amounts for refusal or non-compliance are not specified on the cited City of Perth page. Enforcement remedies for discrimination or failure to make reasonable adjustments are usually civil in nature and pursued through state equal opportunity bodies or federal discrimination processes; refer to the City contact page for local complaints and to state/federal agencies for legal remedies. Current as of February 2026.

• Monetary fines: not specified on the cited page for City of Perth; civil damages or orders may be available via state or federal complaint bodies.
• Escalation: first, internal council review; then complaint to the WA Equal Opportunity Commission or the Australian Human Rights Commission (time limits not specified on the cited city page).
• Non-monetary sanctions: orders to remedy access, compliance notices, or court/tribunal orders under state or federal law.
• Enforcer and complaint pathway: City of Perth access services and customer service for local handling; state and federal equality commissions for formal complaints.

Applications & Forms

There is no single published City of Perth "reasonable adjustment" application form on the cited page; the usual route is an application or request by email, phone or through customer service and the access officer. Fees for processing a request are not specified on the City page; if a permit or plan change is needed (for building works or event modifications) separate permit forms and planning approvals may apply and will have their own fees and timelines.^[1]

Action steps

• Step 1: Prepare a short written request stating the adjustment, reasons and preferred outcome.
• Step 2: Lodge with City of Perth customer service or the access officer and obtain a reference number.
• Step 3: If denied, ask for internal review and keep all correspondence.
• Step 4: If unresolved, escalate to the WA Equal Opportunity Commission or the Australian Human Rights Commission for formal complaint pathways.

FAQ

Who makes the final decision on a reasonable adjustment request?

The City of Perth will assess and decide operational requests; if the decision raises legal issues you can pursue review with state or federal equality bodies.

Do I need a medical certificate to request an adjustment?

Not always; provide whatever documentation you have and explain functional limitations — the council will advise what evidence is helpful.

How long does the council have to respond?

Response times are not specified on the City of Perth access page; ask for an expected timeframe when you lodge your request and retain the response details.

How-To

1. Draft a concise written request describing the adjustment, why it is needed and a proposed solution.
2. Send the request to City of Perth customer service or the access officer by email or the online contact form.
3. Request a response timeframe and note the council reference number for follow up.
4. Provide supporting information and be available to discuss reasonable alternatives.
5. If the council refuses or does not respond, seek an internal review and then consider lodging a complaint with state or federal equality bodies.

Key Takeaways

• Start with a clear written request to the City of Perth and keep records.
• There is no single published municipal form for reasonable adjustments; contact the council directly.
• If unresolved locally, escalate to WA or federal equal opportunity agencies.

Help and Support / Resources

• City of Perth - Contact us
• WA Equal Opportunity Commission
• Australian Human Rights Commission - Disability rights
• WA Department of Communities - Disability services

1. [1] City of Perth - Access & Inclusion