Keeping a roof over everyone’s head has never been more important as thousands of people suffer job losses due to the economic fall-out of COVID-19 coronavirus restrictions. New laws are now in place to ensure renters can stay in their homes and businesses won’t have to leave their premises, while recognising that landlords shouldn’t be unnecessarily burdened. The emergency residential tenancy...

The McGowan Government has announced a new package to support tenants, landlords and the construction industry in the COVID-19 pandemic. The package adds to the McGowan Government's $1.7 billion stimulus and relief package for businesses and households impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. It complements the introduction of a six-month freeze on rent increases, the moratorium on evictions from March...

A six-month moratorium on residential tenancy evictions will now become law, with legislation introduced by the McGowan Government passing the Western Australian Parliament. The new laws implement the decision of the National Cabinet and are designed to prevent tenants from having to move out or being made homeless during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, tenants can still have their leases...

The average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) is set to increase by around 23 cents per litre (cpl) to 109.8 cpl tomorrow, so FuelWatch is encouraging Perth drivers, if they can, to fill up today to save money. FuelWatch advises that on Wednesday 22 April 2020, most branded retailers are hiking their ULP price: Caltex Woolworths, Caltex and Coles Express hiking by 34-36 cpl to 119.9 cpl; BP...

The average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) is set to increase by around 17 cents per litre (cpl) to 108.7 cpl tomorrow, so FuelWatch is encouraging Perth drivers, if they can, to fill up today to save money. FuelWatch advises that on Wednesday 15 April 2020, most branded retailers are hiking their ULP price: Caltex Woolworths and Caltex hiking by 33-34 cpl to 119.9 cpl; Vibe up to 118.5...

Western Australians are warned to be on high alert for unsolicited SMS or social-media messages urging them to inject money into a fraudulent scheme disguised as an investment opportunity. Consumer Protection is aware of an investment scam circulating in the WA community that claims almost $22 million can be unlocked from an international account if the recipient pays part of the $500,000...

A real estate agency manager recently jailed for fraud has been ordered to pay $10,000 in fines and costs for taking more than $220,000 of clients’ money from trust accounts. At Perth Magistrates Court on 18 March 2020, Jason John Vecchio pleaded guilty to 15 breaches of the Real Estate and Business Agents Act for unauthorised withdrawals and mismanagement of the trust accounts in 2015. Mr...

With Commissioner for Consumer Protection Penny Lipscombe Fitness fanatics may be left wondering what will happen to their gym memberships with ‘non-essential’ services like gymnasiums now shutdown around the country as part of the State and Federal Governments’ continuing efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus. Consumers might be wondering whether they are still required to pay...

The spread of COVID-19 coronavirus around the world has created a worrying and confusing time for many - holidaymakers are wondering about cancelling trips abroad, while panic-buying has even turned the weekly grocery shop into a daunting task. Concerned consumers have come to us with numerous enquiries about their rights, so we thought it timely to release a list of Frequently Asked Questions...

The average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) is set to increase by over 13 cents per litre (cpl) to 125 cpl tomorrow, so FuelWatch is encouraging Perth drivers, if they can, to fill up today to save money. FuelWatch advises that on Wednesday 25 March 2020, most branded retailers are hiking their ULP price - Caltex hiking by 33 cpl to 137.9 cpl, 7-Eleven to 135.9 cpl, Caltex Woolworths and...

Consumer Protection is warning Western Australians to get health information and advice about COVID-19 coronavirus from official and reliable sources, and not be fooled by misinformation circulating in the community, primarily via social media. A variety of fake cures and prevention tips are being promoted including gargling with salt water, drinking extraordinary amounts of water or certain...

The average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) is set to increase by around 13 cents per litre (cpl) to 133.5 cpl tomorrow, so FuelWatch is encouraging Perth drivers, if they can, to fill up today to save money. FuelWatch advises that on Wednesday 18 March 2020, most branded retailers are hiking their ULP price - 7-Eleven hiking by 28.8 cpl to 143.7 cpl, Caltex to 141.9 cpl, BP to 139.9 cpl,...