While discrimination, harassment and victimisation continue to affect the daily lives of many people in our community, this year has also provided grounds for optimism. Important legislative reform has moved closer to reality, and our community has continued to demonstrate a strong commitment to fairness, inclusion and respect.
The Commission's work remains focused on advancing the objects of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984, including the elimination, as far as practicable, of unlawful discrimination in Western Australia. Throughout the year, the Commission continued to provide complaint handling, education and community engagement services that assist individuals to understand and exercise their rights, while supporting organisations to meet their legal obligations. Through this work, the Commission contributes to a Western Australian community in which all people are treated fairly, can participate fully in public life, and have equal access to opportunities regardless of their personal attributes or circumstances.
During 2025-26, the Commission finalised 430 accepted complaints. Employment remained the area generating the highest number of complaints, accounting for more than half of all accepted complaints. Impairment, race and victimisation were among the most commonly raised grounds. These figures are a reminder that unlawful discrimination continues to have a real impact on the lives of Western Australians, and that accessible, effective complaint resolution mechanisms remain essential.
One of the most significant developments during the year was the continued work of the Western Australian Parliament on a new Equal Opportunity Bill. This reform process follows the recommendations of the Law Reform Commission of Western Australia's review of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984, which identified opportunities to modernise the State's anti-discrimination framework and better align it with contemporary approaches adopted elsewhere in Australia.
The Commission welcomes the progress being made towards implementing many of the review's recommendations. The proposed reforms represent the most substantial review of Western Australia's equal opportunity legislation in decades and seek to bring the State's laws more closely into line with contemporary Commonwealth, State and Territory anti-discrimination legislation.
These reforms have the potential to strengthen protections against discrimination, expand the range of protected attributes and areas of public life covered by the legislation, and introduce contemporary approaches to complaint handling and resolution.
While legislative reform is ultimately a matter for Parliament, the Commission is encouraged by the opportunity to help shape a legal framework that better reflects the diversity and lived experiences of Western Australians.
We remain hopeful that a new Equal Opportunity Act will provide a stronger foundation for pursuing our ongoing objective of eliminating, as far as practicable, unlawful discrimination and promoting the full and equal participation of all Western Australians in community life.
Another important milestone during the year was the commencement of reforms to Western Australia's births, deaths and marriages legislation, which simplify the process through which transgender and gender-diverse people may seek recognition of their affirmed gender. These reforms recognise the importance of dignity, inclusion and personal autonomy, and help remove barriers that have historically affected members of the transgender community. The Commission welcomes measures that improve access to legal recognition and support the equal participation of all people in Western Australian society.
The achievements of the Commission during the year would not have been possible without the professionalism, expertise and dedication of its staff.
Across all areas of the organisation, officers have continued to serve the community with integrity, impartiality and care. Their commitment helps ensure that individuals and organisations engaging with the Commission receive a service that is fair, accessible and responsive.
I also thank the many complainants, respondents and representatives who engaged constructively with the Commission throughout the year. Meaningful participation in our processes remains essential to achieving fair and lasting outcomes.
As Western Australia enters a period of significant legislative change, the Commission looks forward to continuing its work with government, stakeholders and the broader community to advance equal opportunity, remove barriers to participation, and support a more inclusive society for all Western Australians.
Dr John Byrne AM
Western Australian Commissioner for Equal Opportunity
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