Consumer

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Nominating for a Consumer Protection Award The frequently asked questions below provide some helpful information about the Consumer Protection Awards such as the essential entry requirements, how to apply for an award and the judging process. When do nominations open and close? Nominations open and...
Consumer Protection Awards
It’s your choice You have the right to decide who tows your car and where it is towed – you don’t have to choose the first tow truck that arrives at the scene after an accident or breakdown. You can choose to have your car towed directly to a repairer, your home, or a storage yard. If possible,...
Servicing, repair and towing
Western Australian electrical safety regulations require all lighting points to have earth protection using a conductor connected to the main earth of the building’s electrical installation. The earthing conductor must be connected to a suitably robust earthing terminal of the lighting point (...
Electrical installations
A national safety alert has been issued for several open-flued gas heaters that, under certain circumstances, may produce too much carbon monoxide – potentially causing serious health risks to users. Building and Energy is urging owners of these gas heaters to stop using them immediately. The...
Gas appliances
Stay safe and warm this winter
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Tickticktick2, by sgrove
You can’t see it or smell it. But while your gas heater is running, poisonous carbon monoxide could be spilling into your home. Unserviced gas heaters can spill carbon monoxide (CO) – a gas that you can’t see or smell but can make...
Gas appliances
Safety advice for using open flued gas space heaters Negative pressure can occur when there is not enough ventilation in a home and an exhaust fan or range hood is operating. If an open flued gas space heater is operating at the same time as an exhaust fan, it may cause the gas heater to...
Gas appliances
Building and Energy encourages Western Australians to take simple steps to protect themselves against home fires as more people purchase and use equipment and devices with lithium-ion batteries. The following information will help consumers avoid the fire risk while enjoying the undoubted...
Electrical appliances
Restaurants and cafes that charge a surcharge on certain days do not need to provide a separate menu. However, the menu or pricing display must include wording that ‘a surcharge of [percentage] applies on [the specified day or days]’ . This statement must be displayed in a transparent and prominent...
Store policies and sale practices
Quad bikes have a number of design features that create risks for users, particularly when used on uneven or sloped ground. Losing control of a quad bike can cause it to flip or roll over causing death or serious injury. About quad bikes A quad bike (also known as an all-terrain vehicle or ATV) is...
Product safety for consumers
Consumer Protection has a number of policies which articulate the principles that underpin our work. These policies guide our approach to promoting fair trading and consumer protection, whether we are providing information and advice, helping consumers resolve disputes or investigating complaints...
About us

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Publications

Building and Energy undertook a snapshot general inspection into waterproofing systems in wet areas in. The outcome of this is presented in GIR6. The objective of GIR6 was to determine if...
Building and Energy
Reports
13 Dec 2021
Operators and residents of residential parks and lifestyle villages Changes are on the way! From 31 January 2022, changes to the Residential Parks legislation take place. This will affect your...
Consumer Protection
Brochure
10 Dec 2021
Progress report on local government’s four yearly inspections of private swimming pool safety barriers 2020-21. This Report is the third annual report on the progress of local governments’ pool inspection programs and is in response to recommendation 7 of the Ombudsman WA report Investigation into ways to prevent or reduce deaths of children by drowning , tabled in Parliament on 23 November 2017.
Building and Energy
Reports
02 Dec 2021
As part of its function, Building and Energy provides an avenue for both consumers and builders to resolve disputes relating to workmanship issues in connection with a regulated building services and...
Building and Energy
Fact sheet
22 Oct 2021
This guide to your rights when shopping answers many common consumer questions and explains your rights under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL). What if a supermarket scanner charges me too much?...
Consumer Protection
Fact sheet
21 Oct 2021
Misleading behaviour Misleading or deceptive behaviour is when a shop owner or trader presents an incorrect view about the price, value or quality of goods or services to you. A shop owner can break...
Consumer Protection
Fact sheet
21 Oct 2021
Estimates and quotes are different ways of putting a price on a job or service before the job is done. What is a quote? A quote is the total amount a tradesperson agrees it will cost to do a job or...
Consumer Protection
Fact sheet
21 Oct 2021
When buying expensive goods, including fridges, washing machines and televisions, there are many options available to help you make these purchases. Saving If you know you’re going to have to come up...
Consumer Protection
Fact sheet
21 Oct 2021
Before you buy a mobile phone or sign up to a contract you should be aware of these 10 things. 1. Shop around Look at many different types of plans, pre-paid, capped and monthly because call costs...
Consumer Protection
Fact sheet
21 Oct 2021
What is book-up? Book-up is short term credit offered by a shop owner that lets you buy goods or services and pay for them later. Some shop owners will charge a fee for allowing you to use book-up...
Consumer Protection
Fact sheet
20 Oct 2021

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Announcements

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 20 December 2023), the average price of Perth’s regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by over 33 cents...
Consumer Protection
Media release
19 Dec 2023
A Perth electrician has lost his electrical licences following a criminal conviction for indecent acts while working at a customer’s home. The man’s electrical worker and electrical contractor licences were cancelled by the State Administrative Tribunal after referral by Building and Energy. The Tribunal heard that the electrician was convicted of two indecent dealing offences involving a 13-year...
Building and Energy
Media release
19 Dec 2023
Failure to fix a defective driveway has cost a Rockingham concrete business and its directors $16,000 in fines, following prosecution by WA’s building regulator. Building and Energy’s case against Decorative Concrete Specialists Pty Ltd and directors Gerard Zomer and Paula Seager concluded at Rockingham Magistrates Court. The company and Mr Zomer did not appear and were convicted in their absence...
Building and Energy
Media release
13 Dec 2023
As the festive season unfolds, the spirit of giving comes alive, prompting many of us to extend a helping hand to our community through charitable donations. Before opening your wallet to support a cause close to your heart, it’s important to watch out for scams and ask questions to find out if your full donation will be passed on. Scammers may pose as a real charity or a cause that appeals to...
Consumer Protection
Media release
13 Dec 2023
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 13 December 2023), the average price of Perth’s regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by over 35 cents...
Consumer Protection
Media release
12 Dec 2023
Plumbers Licensing Board media statement A Landsdale plumber has been ordered to pay almost $3,500 in fines and costs for failing to fix a drainage leak when required, resulting in two additional inspections by the plumbing regulator. At Perth Magistrates Court on 13 November 2023, Matthew Continibali (PL9752) of Contabs Pty Ltd, trading as Outlook Plumbing , pleaded guilty to breaching WA’s...
Building and Energy
Media release
12 Dec 2023
The pressures and temptations to spend too much over Christmas can create financial stress and debt that linger long after the Christmas cheer has gone. Despite increasing costs of living, including higher mortgage interest rates, a report by Australian Consumer and Retail Studies at Monash Business School shows people are planning to spend an average of $1,088 on Christmas presents, with 65 per...
Consumer Protection
Media release
06 Dec 2023
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 6 December 2023), the average price of Perth’s regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by over 34 cents...
Consumer Protection
Media release
05 Dec 2023
Safety warning for parents about the dangers of eRideables Quarter of drowning deaths in young children occurred in a pool in 2022-23 Trampolines and Christmas presents with button batteries can be hazardous With the warm weather here already, Consumer Protection has some timely safety tips for families to enjoy a safe summer. A fun way for kids to zip around outdoors is on a motorised scooter,...
Consumer Protection
Media release
30 Nov 2023
Decorative lights, electronic gifts and DIY projects are hallmarks of the festive season, prompting WA’s electrical safety regulator, Building and Energy, to share top tips for a safe summer. Festive lights are a popular addition to homes at this time of year, but damaged or incorrectly used lights can cause electric shocks and fires. Consumers are urged to check that lights, cords and plugs are...
Building and Energy / Consumer Protection
Media release
29 Nov 2023

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