Equal Opportunity Act 1984

Fact sheet
The Equal Opportunity Act 1984 was enacted by the Western Australian Parliament in 1984 (the Act) and came into operation in July 1985.
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The Act's objectives are:

a) to eliminate, so far as is possible, discrimination against persons on the grounds of sex, marital status, pregnancy, 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 and the activities of clubs;

b) to eliminate, so far as is possible, sexual harassment and racial harassment in the workplace, and in educational institutions and sexual harassment and racial harassment related to accommodation;

c) to promote recognition and acceptance within the community of the equality of men and women; and

d) to promote recognition and acceptance with the community of the equality of persons of all races, regardless of their religious or political convictions, their impairments or ages.

Equal Opportunity Commission

The Commission for Equal Opportunity investigates and attempts to conciliate complaints lodged by people who believe they have been discriminated against. It also provides community education and training programs, as well as community information on equal opportunity.

Director of Equal Opportunity in Public Employment

The Director of Equal Opportunity in Public Employment (DEOPE) 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.