Announcements

Showing 1176 - 1200 of 2245 results
Greater protections for people living in park homes in Western Australia are one step closer after new laws were passed by State Parliament. Changes to the Residential Parks (Long-stay Tenants) Act 2006 will give tenants who rent a site or a home in a residential park better clarity with contracts and costs as well as set new rules relating to terminations. Long-stay tenancies can involve living...
Consumer Protection
Media release
26 Jun 2020
WA’s Commission for Occupational Safety and Health is seeking public comment on a revised Code of Practice on Violence and Aggression at Work . Since 2014, the State has operated under a Code of Practice on Violence, Aggression and Bullying, but the Commission’s Legislative Advisory Committee made the decision to separate this into two Codes - one dealing specifically with violence and aggression...
WorkSafe
Media release
26 Jun 2020
We all know that clean hands are one of the best ways to guard against viruses, so it’s little surprise that hand sanitiser has become a must-have item during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. With many households and schools now using hand sanitiser as part of their daily routines, it’s important to remember these products should be treated with extra caution especially around children. Most...
Consumer Protection
Media release
26 Jun 2020
As part of a new service delivery model announced by Building and Energy, most WA home owners who lodge a complaint against a building service provider will no longer have to provide an independent inspection report to prove the defects. WA’s current building complaints process usually requires home owners to arrange and pay for an independent building inspection report, costing up to $4,000,...
Building and Energy
Media release
25 Jun 2020
As interest in new homes and renovations intensifies due to State and Federal stimulus packages, WA’s building regulator is reminding consumers about important considerations before committing to a building contract. “Building a house is an exciting decision and it is understandable to want your plans to progress quickly, particularly with the current grants to boost the building and construction...
Building and Energy
Media release
25 Jun 2020
WA’s energy safety regulator is warning of the potentially fatal dangers of DIY electrical devices after a WA man died while allegedly handling a homemade high-voltage appliance used for wood art. Building and Energy is continuing to investigate the electrocution incident, which occurred in the Great Southern region in March. The electrical device was set up for a technique known as Lichtenberg...
Building and Energy
Media release
23 Jun 2020
The average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) is set to increase by over 28 cents per litre (cpl) to 132.2 cpl tomorrow, so FuelWatch is encouraging Perth drivers, if they can, to fill up today to save money. FuelWatch advises that on Wednesday 24 June 2020, most branded retailers are hiking their ULP price: Caltex Woolworths, Coles Express and Caltex hiking by between 39 – 40 cpl up to 141...
Consumer Protection
Media release
23 Jun 2020
Failing to lodge security bonds on time has resulted in a South Perth real estate agency and its director being fined a total of $5,000, following mediation in the State Administrative Tribunal. MI Real Estate Pty Ltd, trading as Soco Realty, had accepted security bonds from three tenants in the southern suburbs, but failed to lodge them as soon as practicable, or within 14 days, as required by...
Consumer Protection
Media release
22 Jun 2020
Consumers seeking mental health services are being warned about a North Fremantle man who is masquerading as a psychologist. Tyson John Vacher , aka Dr John Vacher and trading as John Vacher Psychology , has been making false or misleading statements on his website jvpsychology (dot) com regarding his experience and qualifications. Mr Vacher has stated on his website jvpsychology dot com that he...
Consumer Protection
Media release
19 Jun 2020
The death of a 76-year-old farmer last month at Elleker, west of Albany, has prompted a reminder about quad bike safety. The farmer went out on a quad bike to do some checks on the afternoon of May 24. He had not returned that evening and was later found deceased on the farm. His quad bike was operated on a steep incline in wet and windy weather, and it appeared it was being ridden down the slope...
WorkSafe
Media release
18 Jun 2020
If you’re stuck in a deadlock with your landlord or tenant over a COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic related tenancy issue, a new service can help resolve the dispute without needing to step foot inside a courtroom. Our recently launched Residential Tenancies Mandatory Conciliation Service (RTMCS) is a free process that aims to help both sides come to an agreement through informal discussion in a...
Consumer Protection
Media release
18 Jun 2020
The third phase of consultation on proposed changes to retirement village laws in WA is looking at difficulties consumers considering seniors accommodation can experience in determining whether a village operates under the Retirement Villages Act (RV Act). The setting up of a public register is a proposal being put forward to assist in identifying whether a particular village is covered under the...
Consumer Protection
Media release
16 Jun 2020
The average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) is set to increase by around 26 cents per litre (cpl) to 128.8 cpl tomorrow, so FuelWatch is encouraging Perth drivers, if they can, to fill up today to save money. FuelWatch advises that on Wednesday 17 June 2020, most branded retailers are hiking their ULP price: Coles Express hiking by 38 cpl up to 139.9 cpl; 7-Eleven and BP up to 137.9 cpl;...
Consumer Protection
Media release
16 Jun 2020
A wide variety of investment scams have claimed 65 victims in WA so far this financial year with losses totalling $4,983,000 being reported to WA ScamNet at Consumer Protection. The victims responded to cold callers, emails and enticing advertisements on social media making false claims of low risk and high returns. The bogus investments being offered included shares, foreign exchange, binary...
Consumer Protection
Media release
15 Jun 2020
Winter has officially arrived and many of us have already dragged out the winter woollies, electric blankets and hot water bottles, but it’s important to make sure we are using these items safely. Electric blankets, hot water bottles, heat (or wheat) packs and children’s sleepwear are just some of the winter items that can pose an injury risk if they are old, worn or not used properly. As with...
Consumer Protection
Media release
11 Jun 2020
Wageline’s new WA long service leave calculator is now available in the long service leave section of the Wageline website. The WA long service leave calculator can provide an estimate of an employee’s long service leave entitlement when employment ends as a result of resignation, dismissal, death or redundancy. The WA long service leave calculator is relevant to employees covered by the WA Long...
Labour Relations
Department News
10 Jun 2020
The average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) is set to increase by over 27 cents per litre (cpl) to 126.7 cpl tomorrow, so FuelWatch is encouraging Perth drivers, if they can, to fill up today to save money. FuelWatch advises that on Wednesday 10 June 2020, most branded retailers are hiking their ULP price: Coles Express hiking by 38 cpl up to 137.9 cpl; BP up to 136.9 cpl; Caltex...
Consumer Protection
Media release
09 Jun 2020
Western Power has been fined $75,000 and told to address “systemic failures” at management level after a connection error caused three Yokine homes to become live with dangerous levels of electricity, resulting in almost $5,500 damage to electrical appliances. The network operator was sentenced at Perth Magistrates Court on 13 May 2020 after pleading guilty to breaching WA’s electricity...
Building and Energy
Media release
08 Jun 2020
Changes to pre-estimated liquidated damages From 1 January 2022, the maximum amount of pre-estimated liquidated damages that a dealer may charge is five per cent. Let’s say you’d found the car or caravan of your dreams, even signed on the dotted line, but then the COVID-19 pandemic hit and you could no longer go through with the deal – you may be wondering what costs you’re liable to pay...
Consumer Protection
Media release
08 Jun 2020
The Industrial Magistrates Court has ruled that an aged care worker was entitled to almost $10,000 for unpaid long service leave after being employed on a casual basis for 13 years. The casual personal care assistant worked for Atlantic Healthcare Services (Ubiquitous Holdings Pty Ltd) between 2001 and 2014 and during this period was placed with a number of health care clients. Private Sector...
Labour Relations
Media release
05 Jun 2020
WA’s building regulator is working closely with industry to improve understanding of bushfire building requirements after an inspection report highlighted some areas that were unsatisfactory. Most new residential buildings constructed in WA’s designated bushfire-prone areas need to include specific bushfire-resistant construction that meets Building Code of Australia (BCA) requirements. The type...
Building and Energy
Media release
03 Jun 2020
Building and Energy continues to receive requests from gas fitters and builders for variations in order to comply with the requirements of outdoor gas water heaters installed at heights above 2.5m. The requests are often due to the gas fitter receiving a Notice of Defect (NOD) for non-compliance from an installation inspector. Before installing an outdoor gas appliance refer to the relevant...
Building and Energy
Department News
03 Jun 2020
Background Recently, there has been several reported incidents relating to the failure of LP Gas installation regulators where the downstream piping, apparatus and appliances were exposed to dangerously high pressures.
LP Gas regulator without over pressure protection
LP Gas regulator without over pressure protection, by Gas
LP Gas regulator without over pressure protection Fig 1: Example of a 33 year old LP Gas installation regulator that does not incorporate over...
Building and Energy
Department News
03 Jun 2020
With only a few months remaining on his agreed five year ban from working in the industry, a Tapping air conditioning salesman appears to be back in business with Consumer Protection receiving recent complaints. Since 2005 Alwyn Robert Healy , while operating under several business names, has attracted a total of about 180 consumer complaints. These complaints mostly related to Mr Healy’s claims...
Consumer Protection
Media release
02 Jun 2020
Winter has officially arrived and many of us have already dragged out the winter woollies, electric blankets and hot water bottles, so here is a timely reminder about using these products safely. Commissioner for Consumer Protection Lanie Chopping said a number of winter warmer products may pose a safety risk if they are old, worn or not used properly. “As with any product, but particularly...
Consumer Protection
Media release
02 Jun 2020

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