Scammers steal nearly $400,000 from WA online shoppers so far in 2023 Check delivery timeframes for online items to avoid missing Christmas deadline 33 extra trading hours approved to make Christmas shopping more convenient Online shoppers are urged to be on high alert for scams and to remember their consumer rights in the lead up to major retail events like the Black Friday, Cyber Monday and...

The Area and Scope and Definitions clauses of the state Metal Trades (General) Award have been updated to expand the coverage of this WA award to a broader range of employees and their employers. This change, which is effective from 21 November 2023, was made as part of a process being undertaken by the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission to update the scope of a number of private...

PLUMBERS LICENSING BOARD – MEDIA STATEMENT A Butler plumber has been fined $5,500 for working beyond the scope of his licence and not rectifying a defective water heater that could have scalded users. At Armadale Magistrates Court on 29 September 2023, Julian Francis North (TL12335) pleaded guilty to two charges brought by the Plumbers Licensing Board. Mr North holds a plumbing tradesperson’s...

Distressed consumers are being misled following accidents 55 complaints against Specialized Tilt Tray and Towing Services in 17 months Non-disclosure agreements may contain unfair contract terms Consumer Protection is warning consumers about a tow truck company believed to be misleading consumers and then asking them to sign non-disclosure agreements to have their vehicle released from their...

Mandatory professional development to continue for WA real estate and settlement industries Ongoing education and training to maintain faith and confidence in industry participants Agents to administer and self-fund program The Cook Government has again thrown its support behind mandatory Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for everyone employed in the real estate and settlement sectors to...

Motorists in Perth and Mandurah are advised to fill up now if they need to, with petrol prices set to rise tomorrow. After today motorists will likely have to wait a week before petrol prices are again at the bottom of the price cycle. FuelWatch reports that, from 6am tomorrow (Wednesday 15 November 2023), the average price of Perth’s regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by over 34 cents...

All short-term rental accommodation providers to be required to register properties New $10,000 incentive for property owners to transition existing short-term rental accommodation into long-term rental homes for Western Australians Reforms to provide consistency across the sector and clarity on what is required to operate a short-term rental accommodation property The Cook Government has today...

Supervising electrician did not check apprentice’s wiring work Transposed conductors caused earthed metal objects to become live Potential for serious or even fatal injuries A Bridgetown home owner was lucky to avoid serious injury after receiving multiple electric shocks from a dangerous wiring error that a Manjimup electrician failed to detect. Licensed electrical worker Nicola Terrigno (...

If you have a mobile phone, laptop, electric toothbrush, eScooter, eBike, any power tools, or solar power backup storage, you need to know how to reduce potentially deadly fire risks lurking in their batteries. These common household items use rechargeable lithium-ion batteries which can be highly flammable. If these batteries are used incorrectly, or are damaged, they can overheat, explode and...

A company that owns a vegetable farm and packing facility in Mandogalup has been fined $15,000 over an incident in which a worker’s arm was injured when it was trapped in a conveyor belt. Ellement Bros Pty Ltd (trading as Ellement Produce) pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that dangerous parts of a machine were securely guarded and was fined in the Perth Magistrates Court on Monday. In May 2019...

Motorists in Perth and Mandurah are advised to fill up now if they need to, with petrol prices set to rise tomorrow. After today motorists will likely have to wait a week before petrol prices are again at the bottom of the price cycle. FuelWatch reports that, from 6am tomorrow (Wednesday 1 November 2023), the average price of Perth’s regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by 33 cents per...