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 was part of the State Government’s commitment to reducing the number of statutory boards and committees in WA. Abolition of the Boards has resulted 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 is vested in the Commissioner for Consumer Protection, and the Boards’ financial responsibilities has moved to the Director General of the Department of Commerce.
At the same time as the licensing boards were abolished, three advisory committees were established to ensure that the Commissioner and the Minister maintained a direct connection with affected stakeholders. The three advisory committees are:
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The Motor Vehicle Industry Committee
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The Property Industry Advisory Committee
For further information on the operation of these committees, please contact Consumer Protection WA by calling 1300 30 40 54 or 13 36 77 for the National Relay Service for the hearing impaired.
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.