Wageline’s WA long service leave calculator was launched in May 2020, and has already been used by employers and employees over 5,000 times. 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...

On 1 July 2020, NCC 2019 Amendment 1 was adopted. Note (as below): Western Australia has transitional provisions in place for the adoption of the Building Code of Australia (BCA) which is Volumes One and Two of the National Construction Code (NCC). Key changes A new provision, A2.2(4), in the Governing Requirements to require (from 1 July 2021) that a process be followed when creating and...

There’s very little you can’t buy with a discount voucher these days, with group buying websites offering massive discounts on everything from restaurant meals and holidays, to groceries and car services. While everyone loves getting a bargain, it pays to be cautious before buying vouchers online, especially in these tough times. As the economy gets back on its feet post COVID-19, some businesses...

Puppy scam losses in Western Australia totalling more than $28,000 were reported in June, prompting Consumer Protection to issue a new warning for consumers to be cautious when responding to advertisements on websites, trading sites and social media. A total of 18 puppy scam reports were received last month, with individual losses ranging from $150 to more than $5,000. Commissioner for Consumer...

It’s hard to keep your wits about you following a car accident – you’re often in shock, the traffic behind you starts piling up and all you want is to get the car off the road and away from the scene. Sighting an approaching tow-truck can therefore be a great relief, but there are things you should know before a breakdown or bingle occurs to avoid being stung financially. The first tow truck on...

The average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) is set to increase by around 28 cents per litre (cpl) to 134.9 cpl tomorrow, so FuelWatch is encouraging Perth drivers, if they can, to fill up today to save money. FuelWatch advises that on Wednesday 1 July 2020, most branded retailers are hiking their ULP price: Coles Express hiking by up to 40 cpl up to 145.9 cpl; Caltex Woolworths, 7-Eleven,...

Did you know that a pool gate must open away from the swimming pool area and that pool gate hinges need to be installed at certain locations and meet the relevant Australian Standard? Statistically, pool gates are considered to be a high-risk area and are largely identified as being the most common: entry point for young children that drown in pools; and element of non-compliance picked up during...

On 17 February 2020, Standards Australia and the Commonwealth Government announced they will make AS 3959:2018 - Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas accessible to all Australians at no cost to the public until 30 June 2021. AS 3959:2018 provides guidance to professionals in the building and construction industry and is primarily concerned with improving the ability of buildings in...

The Building Commissioner is warning consumers about a company that is entering into home building contracts without a current and valid home indemnity insurance (HII) policy, putting WA home buyers at risk. Building Commissioner Kristin Berger is investigating claims that registered building contractor Western Australian Construction Pty Ltd (BC102149) , despite its eligibility for HII being...

On 26 June 2020 the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission (WAIRC) issued the 2020 State Wage Case decision. The WAIRC decision grants a 1.75% per week increase in the state minimum wage and WA award rates of pay from 1 January 2021 . The new state minimum wage from 1 January 2021 will be $760.00 per week. The minimum pay rates for award free employees and all pay rates in WA awards...

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...