Nurses in Western Australia look set to begin industrial action today, despite a last-minute attempt by Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson to avoid it.

Ms Sanderson met with Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) officials late yesterday to promise amendments to a pay and conditions offer the union had described as "disgraceful".

That included shortening the time frame for implementing nurse-to-patient ratios below three years, as well as implementing ratios in metropolitan hospitals earlier than in the regions.

There was no movement on the government's pay offer of a three-per-cent a year increase plus a $3,000 cost of living payment.

ANF secretary Janet Reah said yesterday discussions with the Minister would have to be put to members to decide whether a ban on double shifts would begin today as planned.

The union says early indications from an online poll — which will close at midday — show thousands of nurses overwhelmingly support going ahead with the action.

McGowan urges nurses to accept 'big win'

Responding to the looming threat this morning, Premier Mark McGowan said any offers were largely been made yesterday morning when he said he was hopeful ratios could be introduced in less than three years.

"I sort of said that yesterday morning, that if that could be done then we would do that … so that's already on the table," he said.

Mr McGowan continued to call for nurses to back down from industrial action.

"We've acceded to what was asked for, and nurses have had a big win in Western Australia with this announcement," Mr McGowan said.

"I just urge the nurses to look at the offer, it's in accordance with what was asked for.

The Premier said if nurses did start a ban on double shifts today, the impact would be watched closely by the Health Department.

He said there were no plans to take the union to the Industrial Relations Commission to force an end to the industrial action at this stage.

Police also planning action pending offer

The WA Police Union has also flagged potentially beginning low-level industrial action from Monday as it said the government dragged its feet on providing an acceptable offer on pay and conditions.

Union president Mick Kelly said officers would not compromise community safety but said there was a lot of extra unpaid work officers were doing that could be halted.

"We served our log of claims in April this year, our agreement finished on the 30th of June, we're now four months down the track and we still don't have an offer from the state government," he told ABC Radio Perth.

"What's loud and clear from our membership is that they're annoyed, they're disappointed, they're frustrated, and they're becoming extremely angry.

"I think the Labor government is standing firm under the stewardship of the Premier, I don't believe we're being listened to, and I don't believe the state government really respects the effort that our members have certainly done over the last few years."

The union's demands have included a 5 per cent annual pay rise, a longer rostering pattern, and a "right to disconnect", limiting texts and calls officers are expected to answer after hours.

Commissioner backs higher penalty rates

WA's Police Commissioner, Col Blanch, took the rare step of lending his support to calls for higher pay when it came to the penalty rates officers receive for shift work, weekends and public holidays.

"Policing is a tough gig, it's a 24/7 job, it is not family-friendly when you have to work Friday night, Saturday night, Sunday nights," he told ABC Radio Perth.

"So I absolutely agree with the union ... I think we should pay our police, our nurses, those that have to work late evenings, nights, and difficult times when they are not with their families.

"When people are tucked up at home, even me as commissioner, I expect that our police get paid well to come out of their houses and work late at night."

Commissioner Blanch pointed to a recent incident in Pingelly, where an officer attending an incident after hours was forced to shoot a man armed with a knife, as a demonstration of why officers should be paid more at certain times.

He said police should at least be given the same level of penalty rates as other public servants who work unusual hours.

"Now, police get a good wage, a base wage, this is about working evening shifts and night shifts."

Commissioner Blanch said he had raised his concerns with Police Minister Paul Papalia and the union.

"I'm always going to advocate for my officers, to make sure that we can get them in the door to deal with the difficult shifts," he said.

"And I think that's the important message from me, it's such a tough job that I've got to support my officers, in breaking up what is a normal family life.

"As Mick Kelly said, you can go to other organisations, work Monday-Friday, and spend all weekend with your family, I can't give that same commitment to my officers."

Commissioner Blanch said he would not provide details about his discussions with the government about pay but said they were ongoing.