Attorney-General Christian Porter wants priests to be required to break the seal of confession to report child sex abuse.

Expressing support for laws that would force priests to report suspicions of abuse arising from the confessional, Mr Porter said he was working with State and Territory counterparts on consistent legislation.

The changes are among the most contentious recommendations made by the royal commission into child sexual abuse and have been met with opposition from some sections of the Catholic Church.

“My personal instincts are protective and that, ultimately, the need to protect people from sexual abuse, but particularly children, is something that should take some precedence,” Mr Porter said.

He discussed privileges relating to religious confessions at a Council of Attorneys-General meeting in Perth on Friday, where it was agreed more work was needed on the recommendation.

“It’s that body that will be largely taking the role in ensuring the recommendation is met and ... you don't have different systems operating in different States,” Mr Porter said.

His comments come ahead of this week’s Friday deadline for responses to the royal commission’s 409 recommendations.

Child Protection Minister Simone McGurk said WA would release its response in the next few weeks but keeping children safe “was of crucial importance”.

“The community has a right to expect that our children are safe, especially within the institutions we entrust to protect, educate, care for and nurture them,” she said.

“The McGowan Government is committed to thoroughly examining the recommendations ... with a view to responding to historical abuse that has occurred, prevent further abuse from happening and ensure a swift response to abuse should it occur again.”

The ACT last week became the first jurisdiction to introduce laws forcing priests to break the seal of confession over child abuse.