Perth Employment Discrimination Complaints - How to Lodge

Labor and Employment Western Australia 3 Minutes Read ยท published February 11, 2026 Flag of Western Australia

In Perth, Western Australia, employees who believe they have experienced workplace discrimination can use state complaint pathways and conciliation processes to seek remedies. This guide explains the official lodging routes, what to include in a complaint, likely enforcement outcomes, and practical action steps to follow when making a discrimination complaint in Perth.

Start by collecting dates, witness names and any written records before you lodge a complaint.

How to start a complaint

Most employment discrimination complaints that affect people in Perth are handled through the Equal Opportunity Commission of Western Australia and under the Equal Opportunity Act (WA). To begin, identify whether the matter falls under state jurisdiction or federal laws (for example, matters under the Sex Discrimination Act or Fair Work Act) and choose the correct agency for lodging a complaint. For WA state complaints, the Equal Opportunity Commission of Western Australia explains the complaint intake and conciliation process on its official pages[1]. For the statutory basis, see the Equal Opportunity Act (WA)[2].

What to include in a complaint

  • Clear statement of the discrimination (who, when, what happened).
  • Dates and timeline of incidents and any internal reporting you made.
  • Names and contact details of witnesses where available.
  • Relevant documents such as emails, performance reviews, rosters, pay records or policies.
  • Desired outcome (apology, reinstatement, compensation, change of policy).

Penalties & Enforcement

The enforcement framework for employment discrimination in WA uses complaint conciliation, statutory orders and court or tribunal remedies rather than standard municipal fines. Specific monetary penalty amounts for breaches are not specified on the cited Equal Opportunity Commission pages; the statutory Act provides the legal framework for remedies and orders, but monetary figures or fixed fines are not listed on those pages[1][2].

Conciliation is the usual first step and can result in legally binding agreements or referrals to tribunal or court.
  • Primary enforcer: Equal Opportunity Commission of Western Australia for state discrimination complaints; matters may be referred to courts or tribunals for orders.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: conciliation agreements, formal orders, injunctions or recommendations to employers.
  • Monetary remedies: damages or compensation may be sought through tribunals or the courts; exact amounts are case-specific and not specified on the cited pages.
  • Escalation: initial conciliation, then referral to tribunal/court if unresolved; precise timelines for escalation are not specified on the cited pages.
  • Common violations: adverse action for protected attributes, harassment, racial discrimination, sex discrimination; penalties vary by remedy and are not presented as fixed fines on the cited pages.

Applications & Forms

The Equal Opportunity Commission provides complaint forms and guidance for making a complaint on its official site. Where specific form names, fees or lodgement fees are not listed on the complaint guidance pages, those details are not specified on the cited page[1]. Many complaints are initially lodged via an online or PDF complaint form provided by the Commission, with submission methods and contact points given on the Commission's site.

Action steps

  • Gather evidence: save emails, messages, rosters and any written records.
  • Report internally if required by your workplace policy and note dates and responses.
  • Use the Equal Opportunity Commission complaint form or contact the Commission to start conciliation[1].
  • If conciliation fails, prepare to seek tribunal or court remedies with legal advice; the Equal Opportunity Act (WA) sets the statutory framework[2].

FAQ

Who handles workplace discrimination complaints in Perth?
The Equal Opportunity Commission of Western Australia handles many workplace discrimination complaints affecting people in Perth; federal matters may involve national agencies.
How long do I have to lodge a complaint?
Time limits are not specified on the cited Equal Opportunity Commission complaint guidance pages; check the Commission's site or seek prompt advice.
Do I need a lawyer to lodge a complaint?
No, you can lodge directly with the Commission and use conciliation, though legal advice is recommended for tribunal or court proceedings.

How-To

  1. Collect evidence and make contemporaneous notes of incidents.
  2. Check your workplace policy and report internally if required.
  3. Complete the Equal Opportunity Commission complaint form or contact the Commission to lodge your complaint[1].
  4. Attend conciliation if offered and keep written records of outcomes.
  5. If unresolved, seek legal advice and consider tribunal or court proceedings under the Equal Opportunity Act (WA)[2].

Key Takeaways

  • Start with evidence and internal reporting where appropriate.
  • Lodge with the Equal Opportunity Commission for WA discrimination complaints.
  • Conciliation is the usual first enforcement step; tribunals or courts provide formal remedies.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Equal Opportunity Commission of Western Australia - complaints and guidance
  2. [2] Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (WA) - legislation page

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