WA is set to become the first state in Australia to introduce controversial opt-out organ donor laws.

Under the new system, it will be assumed that West Australians want to donate their organs after death, unless they register their objections beforehand.

Currently donors register voluntarily, but only 41 per cent of West Australians have signed up to the national organ donor register.

Health Minister Kim Hames has commissioned his department to prepare a discussion paper that will outline several ways to introduce the opt-out system.

The paper is expected to be completed in weeks. Once finished, it will be distributed to politicians for review, after which legislation will be introduced.

Dr Hames said legislation would be drafted "once we have an agreed model".

The system was first mooted in March by National Party MP Vince Catania, Liberal MP Joe Francis and Labor MP Martin Whitely, who wanted to introduce a private members bill to parliament.

But after discussions with the trio, the Health Minister agreed to a government-backed investigation.

"We know organ donation is widely supported in the WA community, yet our rate of organ donation is actually quite low," Dr Hames said. "It is possible the wishes of people who were candidates to be organ donors were perhaps not carried out."

About 1700 Australians are waiting for an organ transplant. A recent Federal Government report said organ donor rates were 25-30 per cent higher in countries with opt-out laws - countries such as Spain, Belgium, France and Sweden.

Australian Medical Association of WA spokesman Geoff Dobb said about 20 organ transplants from the deceased were done in WA each year.

But he urged caution with the opt-out laws.

"The most important aspect to organ donation is that people keep their family and friends up to date on their feelings about the subject," he said.

"If, for example, someone has opted out of being an organ donor, who's to say their mind won't change over time even if their registration hasn't?"

Mr Catania said he wanted everyone over the age of 18 to be automatically put on a national register and struck off only if they indicated their objection on their driver's licence.

"But the ultimate decision would still rest with relatives of the deceased," he said.

"Obviously not everyone has a driver's licence so that's an issue that would have to be addressed."

Mr Catania said the death of mother-of-two Claire Murray, 25, this year highlighted the severe shortage of organ donors.

Ms Murray flew to Singapore for a live liver transplant in March, paid for by a $258,000 interest-free government loan.

The loan sparked criticism from those who believed the former drug addict did not deserve a second chance. Ms Murray had used illicit drugs following a first transplant in WA.

She died from complications 15 days after the Singapore transplant.

Her father, Mike, yesterday said he supported the introduction of opt-out legislation.

"It has been shown to save more lives overseas," he said. "I think we should introduce it as soon as possible."

Liberal Joe Francis said too many Australians were waiting for organs, some close to death.

"It sounds cold, but organs are no good to you once you are dead," he said.

"There is no greater gift than the gift of life and that is why I support an opt-out system."

Heart and Lung Transplant Foundation founder Yvonne Bali said an opt-out system would overcome complacency.

"There is an element of apathy to donor registrations," said Ms Bali, who received a double lung transplant that saved her life 11 years ago.

"Some people just see it as another hassle and thing they have to do. But, if someone felt strongly enough to opt out, then that apathy would disappear and they would get off their bottoms and do something about it."