A sex worker rights activist has called on the McGowan government to decriminalise sex work in Western Australia.

Despite many inquiries and reports on the matter in the state, there is a reticence to go anywhere on it, with prostitution still largely illegal.

Sex worker Julie Bates AO told Liam Bartlett the state should follow the leads of other Australian states in decriminalising sex work.

"Once you give them the findings, and make very clear recommendations that demonstrate to decriminalise the sex industry, it's a bridge too hard and they put it on the shelf," she said.