Report Notifiable Diseases - Perth Public Health Law
Perth, Western Australia residents must follow state public health rules when they suspect or are diagnosed with a notifiable infectious disease. Reporting protects the community and triggers public health action by WA Health and local environmental health officers. This guide explains who must notify, how to report in Perth, compliance and enforcement pathways, and where to find official forms and contacts for the City and State public health authorities.[1][2]
Who must report
Clinicians, laboratories and certain institutions are required to notify notifiable conditions to WA Health and local public health units; private citizens should report suspected outbreaks to their treating clinician or local council environmental health officer.
Penalties & Enforcement
Enforcement for failure to notify or comply is governed by Western Australian public health law and implemented by WA Health and local government environmental health officers. The precise penalty amounts and escalation details are contained in the controlling legislation and WA Health guidance; where amounts or time limits are not shown on an official page this guide notes that explicitly.
- Enforcers: WA Health Communicable Disease Control and local Environmental Health Officers (City of Perth).
- Controlling instrument: Public Health Act 2016 (WA) and associated regulations; see the Act for specific offence provisions.[2]
- Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page.
- Escalation: first, repeat or continuing offence ranges are not specified on the cited page.
- Non-monetary sanctions: public health orders, isolation or exclusion orders, seizure or destruction of contaminated materials, and court action are available remedies under the Act or by WA Health direction.
- Inspection & complaint pathways: contact WA Health Communicable Disease Control or City of Perth Environmental Health to lodge complaints or request inspection.
- Appeals & review: appeal routes and time limits for reviews are set out in the Act or accompanying procedures; specific time limits are not specified on the cited page.
- Defences/discretion: the Act provides for authorised officers' discretion and defences such as reasonable excuse where applicable; check the Act text for exact wording.
Common violations
- Failure of a clinician to notify a notifiable condition.
- Laboratory failing to report a positive notifiable pathogen.
- Institutions not reporting outbreaks in facilities such as aged care.
Applications & Forms
WA Health provides clinician and laboratory notification processes and materials; specific form names or numbers for public reporting are published on WA Health guidance pages.[1] Where no public form is required for citizens, report via your clinician or by contacting City of Perth Environmental Health.
Action steps for Perth residents
- Seek medical assessment promptly if you have symptoms of a notifiable disease and inform your clinician about potential exposure.
- Ensure your clinician or treating facility submits the required notification to WA Health.
- Contact City of Perth Environmental Health to report suspected local outbreaks or to raise compliance concerns.
- If you are issued a fine or order, follow the instructions for payment or appeal included with the notice and seek legal advice if needed.
FAQ
- Who must notify a notifiable disease?
- Treating clinicians and diagnostic laboratories are required to notify WA Health; members of the public should report suspected outbreaks to their clinician or local council environmental health officer.
- Can I report directly to the City of Perth?
- Yes — for local concerns or facility outbreaks contact City of Perth Environmental Health; clinical notifications remain the responsibility of clinicians and laboratories.
- What happens after a notification?
- WA Health or local public health units assess the report, may order testing, isolation or other public health measures and may liaise with City of Perth Environmental Health for local enforcement.
How-To
- See a clinician immediately if symptomatic and tell them you suspect a notifiable disease.
- Allow testing; ensure the clinician or laboratory submits the notification to WA Health per their reporting procedures.
- If you notice an institutional outbreak, call City of Perth Environmental Health and provide details of affected persons and location.
- Follow any public health orders given by WA Health or local authorised officers, including isolation or exclusion from work/facility.
- If you receive a notice, pay or follow appeal steps as stated on the notice and keep records of all correspondence and tests.
Key Takeaways
- Clinicians and labs are primary notifiers; citizens should report suspected outbreaks to clinicians or local council.
- WA Health and City of Perth Environmental Health are the enforcement and response contacts for Perth.
Help and Support / Resources
- City of Perth - Environmental Health
- Western Australian Legislation - Acts and Regulations
- WA Health - Department of Health