Can I complain to the City of Perth about housing discrimination?

The City can investigate by-law, harassment or property standard concerns, but formal discrimination complaints are handled through the WA Equal Opportunity Commission; contact both if issues overlap.

Are there fees to lodge a discrimination complaint?

No specific lodgement fee is listed on the commission guidance page; see the WA Equal Opportunity Commission complaints page for current information.

How long will a complaint take?

Timelines vary by case and are not specified on the WA Equal Opportunity Commission guidance page; expect initial triage, possible conciliation and further steps if unresolved.

Perth Housing Discrimination Laws - WA

Housing and Building Standards Western Australia 3 Minutes Read · published February 11, 2026

Perth, Western Australia recognises that housing discrimination—refusal to rent or sell, discriminatory tenancy terms or harassment—can be addressed through state anti‑discrimination law and local enforcement pathways. For complaints about discrimination in housing, start with the WA Equal Opportunity Commission complaint information page and follow published lodgement steps and conciliation processes.Equal Opportunity Commission WA^[1] Current as of February 2026; see cited agencies for any updates.

Legal Framework

Housing discrimination is principally governed by Western Australian anti‑discrimination legislation and federal human rights law where applicable. Local councils, including the City of Perth, enforce related by‑laws and handle complaints about property standards, harassment and some tenancy‑related breaches through their compliance teams; the primary remedy for discrimination complaints is through the state commission and tribunal pathways rather than a specific City bylaw.

Penalties & Enforcement

Penalties and formal remedies for housing discrimination in Perth come from state anti‑discrimination procedures and any civil orders or damages awarded after conciliation or tribunal/court processes. Specific monetary fines or fee schedules for discrimination offences are not presented on the Equal Opportunity Commission guidance page and are not specified on the cited page.^[1]

Non-monetary remedies: conciliation agreements, orders for compensation or conduct remedies are the common outcomes.
Enforcer(s): WA Equal Opportunity Commission for discrimination complaints; City of Perth By-law Enforcement for local by-law breaches and property matters.
Complaint pathway: lodge with the WA Equal Opportunity Commission, or report property/by-law concerns to the City of Perth compliance team.
Fines and penalties: not specified on the cited page for discrimination matters; local by-law fines vary by offence and are set out on council pages.
Escalation: conciliation, formal referral, and possible court or tribunal proceedings when conciliation fails; exact escalation timelines are not specified on the cited page.

If a discrimination complaint involves urgent safety or threats, contact police and local council immediately.

Applications & Forms

The WA Equal Opportunity Commission provides complaint lodgement guidance and any required complaint form on its official site.^[1] Fees, deadlines or special application numbers for lodging a discrimination complaint are not specified on the cited guidance page.

Complaint form: see the WA Equal Opportunity Commission complaints page for the official complaint form and lodgement instructions.^[1]
Where to submit: follow the submission methods listed on the commission website (online, email or post as specified there).

Common Violations & Typical Outcomes

Refusal to rent based on protected attributes — outcome: conciliation and possible compensation or corrective terms.
Discriminatory lease terms or advertising — outcome: removal of terms, corrective notice or conciliation resolution.
Harassment by landlords or agents — outcome: orders to cease conduct and possible civil remedies.

Keep records: save emails, texts and adverts as evidence for any complaint or council report.

Action Steps

Gather evidence: dates, witnesses, copies of adverts, messages and tenancy agreements.
Contact the WA Equal Opportunity Commission for advice and to start the complaint process.^[1]
Complete and submit the official complaint form as directed on the commission site.
If the issue is a by-law or property standard, report to City of Perth By-law Enforcement via the council website or customer service.

FAQ

Can I complain to the City of Perth about housing discrimination?: The City can investigate by-law, harassment or property standard concerns, but formal discrimination complaints are handled through the WA Equal Opportunity Commission; contact both if issues overlap.
Are there fees to lodge a discrimination complaint?: No specific lodgement fee is listed on the commission guidance page; see the WA Equal Opportunity Commission complaints page for current information.^[1]
How long will a complaint take?: Timelines vary by case and are not specified on the WA Equal Opportunity Commission guidance page; expect initial triage, possible conciliation and further steps if unresolved.

How-To

Document the incident: date, time, communications and witnesses.
Visit the WA Equal Opportunity Commission complaints page and download or complete the complaint form as instructed.^[1]
Submit the complaint and attend conciliation if offered; keep copies of all communications.
If related to local by-law breaches, also report to City of Perth By-law Enforcement through the council contact page.
If conciliation does not resolve the matter, seek advice on tribunal or court options from the commission or legal services.

Key Takeaways

State anti-discrimination law is the primary route for housing discrimination complaints in Perth.
Start complaints with the WA Equal Opportunity Commission and notify City of Perth for by-law or safety issues.

Help and Support / Resources

[1] WA Equal Opportunity Commission - Complaints and lodgement information