Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi has been disqualified from office for 18 months by the State Administrative Tribunal over a long-running expenses scandal in which she failed to properly disclose gifts and travel worth tens of thousand of dollars.

In a hearing lasting less than a minute, SAT president Justice Jeremy Curthoys said the 18-month ban was effective from September 7.

Key points: Lisa Scaffidi banned from holding a local government office for 18 months

Lisa Scaffidi banned from holding a local government office for 18 months Ruling comes after 45 "serious breaches" of the Local Government Act

Ruling comes after 45 "serious breaches" of the Local Government Act Deputy Mayor and outspoken Scaffidi critic James Limnios expected to step into the role

In May the tribunal found Cr Scaffidi committed 45 "serious breaches" of the Local Government Act by failing to properly disclose the expenses, including a trip to the 2008 Beijing Olympics funded by BHP Billiton at a cost of $US36,826 ($46,230).

Other lavish gifts included a stay at the upmarket Cable Beach Club in Broome, paid for by property management company Hawaiian Investments, and a hospitality package for a concert at Leeuwin Estate courtesy of BHP Billiton.

Cr Scaffidi admitted to five breaches, but denied wrongdoing in the other 40 instances, claiming she had either forgotten to declare the travel and gifts or had not turned her mind to them when filling out her annual returns.

Scaffidi's 'gross carelessness'

But in its published decision, the SAT said Cr Scaffidi had first been elected to council in 2000 and had "ample opportunity" to learn about her obligations under the Local Government Act.

She had declared similar items on previous returns and had been briefed on the importance of doing so twice by the City of Perth's chief executive.

"In four instances, Ms Scaffidi expressly solicited gifts and contributions to travel (by, for example, requesting business class airfares and accommodation in 5-star hotels as a condition of attending functions) so she should have been acutely aware that she had been provided with them," the tribunal found.

This included an email about an upcoming trip to Seoul in December 2010 in which she wrote:

"Hope hotel 5 star! Let them know I don't live in trash - don't stay in it :-)".

While Cr Scaffidi had publicly apologised, the tribunal found "her apologies and remorse appear to be simply empty words" because she still saw the breaches of the Act as "an error of paperwork" and "continues to blame others for her own failures".

"The Tribunal was not satisfied that the Lord Mayor had any genuine insight into her conduct or any proper understanding of her statutory obligations, and is not satisfied that it can have any confidence that the Lord Mayor would comply with her obligations in the future," it found.

In view of Cr Scaffidi's "gross carelessness" in breaching the Act, the tribunal had "no option but to disqualify the Lord Mayor".

Mayor attacks 'severe' penalty

Cr Scaffidi was not present at the tribunal to hear the penalty today, but her lawyer Steven Penglis said outside the hearing she would seek a stay of the disqualification order.

He said it was a "unique situation" that was "without precedent".

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Cr Scaffidi later released a statement saying the tribunal's penalty was "unduly severe" and confirming she had made an urgent application to the Supreme Court.

"I will continue to fight for what I consider to be a fair and just outcome in this matter, both for myself and for those who elected me," she said.

Both Premier Mark McGowan and Opposition Leader Mike Nahan called on the Lord Mayor to resign in the wake of the findings, but she remained defiant, insisting that she would not stand down.

"I will not give in to those who wrongly seek to make this a political issue," Cr Scaffidi said.

WA Premier Mark McGowan has called for Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi to resign. ( ABC News )

The SAT finding followed two earlier rulings from separate bodies that found that she had acted inappropriately.

In 2015, the Corruption and Crime Commission delivered a damning report that found Cr Scaffidi had "failed in her duties" by not disclosing the benefits in her annual return.

The CCC report prompted an inquiry by the director general of the Department for Local Government that found Cr Scaffidi failed to properly disclose gifts and contributions on multiple occasions between January 2008 and October 2015.

Cr Scaffidi has lodged a notice of appeal against the SAT's findings in the Supreme Court.

Deputy Mayor James Limnios, an outspoken critic of the Lord Mayor, is expected to step into the role of mayor in Cr Scaffidi's place.

Council elections due

Local Government Minister David Templeman welcomed the tribunal's decision and said it sent a strong message to all local government office holders.

Lawyer Steven Penglis says Cr Scaffidi will seek a stay of the disqualification order. ( ABC News: Andrea Mayes )

"They were serious breaches and when you have breached the Act 45 times, surely you would expect there would be a serious outcome," he said.

The State Government had hoped a vote to elect a new lord mayor could be held next month, at the same time as other council elections.

"I want to make sure that the City of Perth has good governance, good strong leadership and that the people of the City of Perth decide on that way forward," Mr Templeman said.

But he later confirmed a mayoral poll could not be held until after the October 21 elections — saying it was likely to be held later next month, pending court proceedings.

In a statement, the council said it "noted" today's decision, but Cr Scaffidi remained in office "until such time as there is a development."

In a message to all councillors, chief executive Martin Mileham said the administration "continues to conduct its usual business".

"Therefore, should you be approached for any comment in this regard, please refer any (operational) question to the City's media office or myself," Mr Mileham said.