About us

From the Commissioner for Equal Opportunity, Yvonne Henderson

The Commission’s focus is changing. While still investigating and seeking to conciliate complaints on all the various grounds of the Act, as well as delivering educational programmes, the Commission is involved in a number of projects designed to address the underlying causes of discrimination, often in partnership with other agencies.

The Commission is committed to working across Government and the community to assist in removing systemic and covert discrimination where it exists.The Substantive Equality Unit will address racism within procedures and practices of public sector agencies; examine recruitment and ensure that services delivered meet the needs of the diverse range of clients that utilise the services offered by public sector agencies. The Commission is one of the project partners along with Office of Multicultural Interests, Department of Indigenous Affairs, Department of Premier and Cabinet, and Office of Equal Employment Opportunity co-ordinating the implementation of this five-year project.

The Investigation into Public Housing for Aboriginal and Torres Islander People considered hundreds of written and oral submissions from individuals around the state The Finding a Place report is available and a community-based committee has been formed to oversee the implementation of its recommendations.
You can find out more about these projects on our website.

What the Commission can do for you

The Equal Opportunity Commission has two major roles. The first is to encourage recognition and an understanding of the principles of equal opportunity. Laws alone do not end intolerance, prejudice and discrimination in our community - so education is a vital part of the Commission’s function.

The second is to provide a means of redress to individuals who allege unlawful discrimination. Since the Equal Opportunity Act was proclaimed in 1985, the Equal Opportunity Commission has received more than 125,000 enquiries and handled more than 10,500 complaints.

Information and assistance

The Commission provides a variety of services that seek to inform and promote the principles of equal opportunity to individuals, employers, employees, equal opportunity coordinators, representatives of public and private sector agencies as well as community and voluntary groups.

Enquiries from the public

Commission Officers deal with any general concerns or queries about rights and responsibilities under equal opportunity laws.

Enquiry officers are usually the first point of contact for members of the public and representatives of organisations from both the public and private sectors.

You can request information by telephone on (08) 9216 3900 or toll free on 1800 198 149 or TTY (08) 9216 3936 on each week day.  You can also email us or just drop into our office between 9 and 4pm Monday to Friday.

Presentations and training

Training sessions, seminars, workshops and papers are regularly presented by Commission officers, in particular the Commissioner and Community Education Officers. These seek to enhance understanding of the principles of Equal Opportunity, as well as increase recognition of the provisions contained in the Act. Presentations or training by Commission officers may be requested by writing to the Commissioner.

Publications

A range of publications is produced each year. These include a Reference Guide to the Act, and Brochures which cover the grounds and areas of discrimination.

Annual reports and reviews on the nature and scope of discrimination on specific matters prepared under sections 80, 81 and 82 of the Act are also available.

These publications may be obtained by contacting the Commission and most can be viewed on this website under Publications.

Complaints of unfair treatment

The Commission can investigate and attempt to conciliate allegations, which have been received in writing, of unfair treatment because of one of the grounds in the Act. For more information see the section on this website Discrimination and Harassment. Our complaint form is also on the website, here.