Announcements

Showing 51 - 75 of 2186 results

Commissioner's Blog: Have your say on family & domestic violence tenancy laws

Family and domestic violence (FDV) is an extremely serious issue in our community, so we need to make sure the right laws are in place to not only support victim-survivors, but to keep them and their children out of harm’s way. An estimated 24,000 Western Australians sought help from specialist homelessness services last year, with 41 per cent needing these services because they were experiencing...
Consumer Protection
Media release
08 Dec 2022

Company fined $240,000 over worker’s loss of fingers

A company involved in steel importation and land development has been fined a total of $240,000 (and ordered to pay $30,581 in costs) over an incident in which a 19-year-old worker had seven fingers amputated by forklift chains. PT Supplies Group Pty Ltd pleaded guilty after trial to failing to provide a safe work environment and, by that failure, causing serious harm to a worker and was fined $...
WorkSafe
Media release
08 Dec 2022

School holidays start soon, find out when children can work

Employers, parents and young people need to know all the special rules that apply when young people are working during the school holidays. Western Australia’s laws which restrict the types of jobs and work children can be employed to do, and the hours they can work, apply all year around. There are restrictions on the types of businesses that can employ children under 15 years of age. Children...
Labour Relations
Department News
07 Dec 2022

Be prudent when pruning to avoid electrical hazards near trees

Home owners urged to hire professionals to trim trees near power lines Hazards include electric shock, arcing, fire and falls Vegetation should be kept 2m clear of most urban power lines As Western Australians tidy up their gardens for summer, the State’s electrical safety regulator has issued a reminder about rules and responsibilities for trimming trees near overhead power lines. Building and...
Building and Energy
Media release
07 Dec 2022

New guide to help safeguard against cyclones

Advice on what to do before, during and after a cyclone Developed by Building and Energy in collaboration with Engineers Australia Checklists summarise key advice from several organisations A new guide is available with practical tips for protecting people and buildings against cyclone damage. The fact sheet , developed by Building and Energy in collaboration with Engineers Australia’s Cyclone...
Building and Energy
Media release
06 Dec 2022

Changes to allowances in the Electrical Contracting Industry Award

The Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission varied the state Electrical Contracting Industry Award to increase allowances on 24 November 2022. The variations take effect from the first pay period on or after 24 November 2022. Wageline’s WA award summary has been updated with the new allowance rates and can be viewed at www.dmirs.wa.gov.au/awardsummaries A full copy of the award can be...
Labour Relations
Department News
06 Dec 2022

Christmas - New Year 2022–23 public holiday information

The Christmas/New Year period is fast approaching. This season's public holidays are: Christmas Day, Sunday 25 December 2022 and Monday 26 December 2022 Boxing Day, Monday 26 December 2022 and Tuesday 27 December 2022 New Year's Day, Sunday 1 January 2023 and Monday 2 January 2023 When Christmas Day and New Year’s Day fall on a Sunday the following Monday is also a public holiday and when Boxing...
Labour Relations
Department News
05 Dec 2022

Action plan to meet the needs of consumers living with disability

Improving engagement and service delivery for consumers with disability a high priority Empowering Consumers with Disability Forum provided an impetus for action Plan involves developing easier access to consumer information and resources The McGowan Government has embarked on an action plan with the major focus of improving the services available to consumers and tenants living with disability...
Consumer Protection
Media release
03 Dec 2022

Christmas shoppers reminded eRideables are not toys

With eRideables expected to be popular gifts this Christmas, shoppers are being reminded that while they are a fun way to get around, they are not toys and should not be used by anyone under 16 years of age. Consumer Protection and the Road Safety Commission have teamed-up with eRideable retailers ahead of the festive season in a bid to keep riders and the wider community safe. Retailers have...
Consumer Protection
Media release
02 Dec 2022

Risk for ticket holders who paid inflated prices for UFC event

UFC tickets that contravene WA’s anti-ticket scalping laws may be cancelled Fans with tickets sold for more than 10 per cent profit risk being refused entry Advice for ticket holders who have purchased from unauthorised resellers Consumer Protection is warning ticket holders for the upcoming Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC 284) event at Perth's RAC Arena who bought them from unauthorised...
Consumer Protection
Media release
01 Dec 2022

Commissioner's Blog: New law to stop online resellers from misleading ticket buyers

It can be disappointing missing out on tickets to a favourite artist or sports team. Some ticket buyers may even be willing to fork out hundreds of dollars extra to an online ticket reseller just to be able to go to the event. There is some good news for consumers and their wallets with the Australian Government introducing a new event ticketing standard to help ticket buyers make informed...
Consumer Protection
Media release
01 Dec 2022

Record keeping requirements for long service leave have changed

The Long Service Leave Act 1958 (LSL Act) applies to many state and national system employers and employees in Western Australia. On 20 June 2022, record keeping requirements under the LSL Act changed. Employers now need to keep additional long service leave records for each employee, and there are significant new penalties for not keeping required records, or keeping an employment record that...
Labour Relations
Department News
30 Nov 2022

Alert to Perth motorists - fill up now to beat the petrol price rise

Motorists in Perth and Mandurah are advised to fill up now if they need to, with petrol prices set to rise tomorrow. FuelWatch reports that, from 6am tomorrow (Wednesday 30 November 2022), the average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by 23 cents per litre (cpl) to 201.4 cpl. Coles Express hiking by up to 46 cpl up to 209.9 cpl; Ampol and EG Ampol up to 205.9 cpl; BP up to 203...
Consumer Protection
Media release
29 Nov 2022

Take charge of battery safety this Christmas

Critical warning when using rechargeable batteries Number of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries rising sharply Think twice before buying rechargeable devices without original charger Take charge of your safety. That is the message for everyone buying or receiving a lithium-ion powered gift this Christmas. Consumer Protection is warning that lithium-ion battery chargers, and the way they are...
Consumer Protection
Media release
28 Nov 2022

Commissioner's Blog: Avoid disappointment, get on top of Christmas shopping early

Christmas is an exciting and magical time of year but the lead up to the big day can often be chaotic and stressful. With online shopping scams and delivery delays, Western Australian shoppers are urged to get on top of their Christmas shopping early to avoid disappointment. Online shopping is an easy and convenient choice to buy Christmas gifts, but Western Australian shoppers should be aware of...
Consumer Protection
Media release
25 Nov 2022

Employers must not advertise jobs at less than minimum wage

State system employers are prohibited from advertising employment at a rate of pay that is less than the minimum wage applicable to the job. Enforcement action can be taken against an employer who has advertised employment at a rate of pay below the legal minimum and penalties apply. This provision is one of the new employment protections introduced by the Industrial Relations Legislation...
Labour Relations
Department News
23 Nov 2022

$16,000 in fines over unregistered real estate sales representative (Tyson Keene / Danielle McGufficke / Realty Lane Pty Ltd)

Agency and supervisor fined $7,000 each for failing their legal obligations Sales rep fined $2,000 after working for nine months without registration Reminder to real estate industry to be aware of their duties under the law A North Perth real estate agency, its supervisor and an unregistered sales representative have been fined a total of $16,000 by the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) as a...
Consumer Protection
Media release
22 Nov 2022

WA consumer laws now synchronised with national changes

National and state consumer laws will be consistent with automatic updates WA parliament has the option not to adopt changes if any concerns Amendments will benefit WA consumers and businesses National changes to consumer laws will be more easily and more quickly reflected in state laws with a new mechanism now being adopted. WA consumers and businesses will benefit greatly from the amendments to...
Consumer Protection
Media release
21 Nov 2022

Public holiday information Christmas New Year 2022-23

With Christmas not far away, now is the time for employers and employees in the state industrial relations system to check working arrangements for public holidays over the Christmas New Year period. This season’s public holidays are: Christmas Day, Sunday 25 December 2022 and Monday 26 December 2022. Boxing Day, Monday 26 December 2022 and Tuesday 27 December 2022. New Year’s Day, Sunday 1...
Labour Relations
Department News
21 Nov 2022

Review of tenancy laws that deal with family and domestic violence

Statutory Review will assess effectiveness of the special family and domestic violence provisions in tenancy laws Community consultation will determine if laws need fine-tuning Consultation begins with the 16 Days in WA campaign to end violence against women getting underway later this week Special provisions in tenancy laws aimed at helping renters in situations of family and domestic violence (...
Consumer Protection
Media release
20 Nov 2022

Commissioner's Blog: Pitfalls of paying tradies upfront

When you hire a tradesperson to undertake a home renovation or maintenance job, they might ask for a deposit upfront to confirm the booking or cover any materials they need to order. While tradespeople are legally allowed to ask for deposits, there are a few things we want consumers to know before paying them. A common issue reported to Consumer Protection is traders who demand large deposits –...
Consumer Protection
Media release
17 Nov 2022

Industrial inspectors are now issuing compliance notices

In June 2022, new compliance and enforcement provisions were introduced that provided enhanced powers and a new range of compliance tools that can be used by industrial inspectors. These new tools include the ability for industrial inspectors to issue compliance notices, infringement notices, and to enter into enforceable undertakings. Recently, industrial inspectors have commenced issuing...
Labour Relations
Department News
17 Nov 2022

Power line project targets bushfire safety

Western Power will prioritise a plan to reduce the risk posed by power lines in its network of a similar construction to the one that caused the Wickepin-Narrogin bushfire. This action follows discussions between Building and Energy – WA’s energy safety regulator – and Western Power in relation to the February 2022 bushfire, which impacted 18,000ha of farmland and bushland. The fire started when...
Building and Energy
Media release
16 Nov 2022

AS/NZS 5601.1: 2022 published

On 30 September 2022, Standards Australia published a new version of AS/NZS 5601.1 Gas Installations part 1: General installations that supersedes AS/NZS 5601.1:2013. The new version of AS/NZS 5601.1 is automatically adopted in Western Australia. AS/NZS 5601.1:2022 applies to new installations and modifications/extensions to existing installations. It does not apply retrospectively to the...
Building and Energy
Department News
16 Nov 2022

Perth cafe owners penalised $14,300 for not producing employment records

The owners of two Perth cafes have been penalised a total of $14,300 for failing to produce employment records to an industrial inspector. Ahmed El Sayed Imam and Yan Desiree Hui - the owners of Sinamon café’s two locations at Victoria Park and Mt Lawley – were required by law to produce the employment records but failed to do so. Industrial inspectors from the Department of Mines, Industry...
Labour Relations
Media release
15 Nov 2022

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