Boards and committees
On 25 November 2010, legislation was passed by the Western Australian State Parliament to transfer the regulatory role of five statutory Boards to the Department of Commerce and the Commissioner for Consumer Protection. These boards are the Land Valuers Licensing Board, Motor Vehicle Dealers Board, Real Estate and Business Agents Supervisory Board and Settlement Agents Supervisory Board.
This change is part of the State Government’s commitment to reducing the number of statutory boards and committees in WA. Abolition of the Boards will result in a more streamlined operating structure with a single regulator across a number of occupational areas and better integration with generalist laws such as the Australian Consumer Law.
From July 2011 the licensing authority of the Board will be vested in the Commissioner for Consumer Protection, and the Boards’ financial responsibilities will move to the Director General of the Department of Commerce.
There will be no reduction in consumer protection or in the requirement that those in industry comply with relevant legislation. For example, requirement to be licensed or registered will continue. Similarly, the requirements related to Compulsory Professional Development and audits of trust accounts must continue to be met, along with standards of behaviour spelled out in the Codes of Conduct.
There will be some changes to the organisational structure of the Department of Commerce as it takes on new responsibilities. However, the staff working in these areas will be largely unaffected by the move. We will endeavour to keep the same telephone numbers for the Licensing lines and to create easy links to internet material.
Building Commission
From July 1, 2009 the Department of Commerce welcomed the Building Commission as a new division. The Building Commission provides a ‘one stop shop’ for industry and consumers for registration and licensing, building and plumbing standards, industry development, technical information and disputes.The Building Commission is responsible for the Builders' Registration Board, Painters Registration Board and Plumbers Licensing Board.