Announcements

Showing 276 - 300 of 2244 results

Commissioner's Blog: Travelling in a post-pandemic world

As the world shakes off the shackles of COVID-19, many Western Australians are feeling more confident about jetting off or setting sail for a holiday. We therefore want to remind travellers about their rights under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) if something goes wrong with a travel product or service. Beyond what is outlined in the terms and conditions, the travel provider is bound by the ACL...
Consumer Protection
Media release
18 May 2023

Farm Employees Award updated

The state Farm Employees Award has been updated by the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission (WAIRC). The award variation is effective from 1 July 2023. The changes to this WA award include: new provisions for part time employees, including a requirement for employees and employers to agree in writing on hours of work; an updated definition for the Farm Tradesperson classification;...
Labour Relations
Media release
17 May 2023

Fire assay company prosecuted after workers record high lead levels

WorkSafe has commenced prosecution action against a fire assay company after four workers recorded high levels of lead in their blood and one was hospitalised. Jinning Pty Ltd faces two charges of failing to ensure that biological monitoring was conducted on an employee in a lead-risk job, along with two charges of failing to ensure that counselling and health surveillance were provided to...
WorkSafe
Media release
17 May 2023

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. 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 17 May 2023), the average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by over 27 cents per litre (...
Consumer Protection
Media release
16 May 2023

Next step for fairer retirement village laws

New retirement village laws underway to improve seniors' experiences of entering, living in and leaving a village, and support the sector's long-term viability Exit entitlements to be paid to former residents within 12 months of their departure from a village Proposed changes to balance greater protections for village residents and the interests of operators The McGowan Government is progressing...
Consumer Protection
Media release
15 May 2023

Coldplay ticket scams - Western Australians warned to be on high alert!

​ Coldplay fans urged to be on high alert for ticket scalpers and scammers Holders of inflated tickets may be at risk of being refused entry at Optus Stadium Report tickets being sold for more than a 10 per cent mark-up to Consumer Protection The McGowan Government is warning Coldplay fans to be on high alert for ticket scalpers and scammers ahead of pre-sale tickets going on sale tomorrow,...
Consumer Protection
Media release
14 May 2023

Commissioner's Blog: Give shipping container scams a wide berth

Swelling demand for shipping containers is causing Western Australian consumers to be scammed out of their money at a rate of knots. When items are in high demand yet short in supply, they become easy targets for scammers who know that when people are desperate to buy scarce items, they can forget to ‘practice the pause’ to consider whether they are being swindled. According to figures from our...
Consumer Protection
Media release
11 May 2023

Funding boost for community groups to assist tenants in trouble

McGowan Government providing almost $9 million over two years to tenancy advocates and legal centres across WA Funding in 2023-24 State Budget to enable tenants in need of help to access advice, assistance and legal support at little or no cost Community legal centres across Western Australia will receive a funding boost in the 2023-24 State Budget to provide advice and support to the increased...
Consumer Protection
Media release
11 May 2023

Agency fined over improper property maintenance recommendations (Anna-Marie Thornton / Harcourts Prestige Real Estate)

Agency fined $6,000 and Director fined $4,000 for code of conduct violations Agency Director was also Director of a recommended maintenance company Agents reminded to always act in the best interests of their clients A Canning Vale real estate agency has been fined by the State Administrative Tribunal for failing to act in the best interests of five of its clients in relation to property...
Consumer Protection
Media release
10 May 2023

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. 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 10 May 2023), the average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by 25 cents per litre (cpl) to...
Consumer Protection
Media release
09 May 2023

Industrial inspectors visit employers in the South-West

In March, Private Sector Labour Relations industrial inspectors conducted a proactive compliance campaign in the South-West region of WA. Industrial inspectors visited almost 70 businesses in Bunbury, Busselton, Dunsborough and Margaret River. The campaign focused on inspecting businesses with known high levels of non-compliance, such as cafes and restaurants, hairdressers and beauty salons...
Labour Relations
Department News
08 May 2023

Condition reports for strata buildings when using the dispute resolution process

Defects versus maintenance Building and Energy has observed a trend by strata companies regarding the inclusion of what is considered to be building maintenance items within a defect list, when making a complaint to the Building Commissioner. Background Under the revised Strata Titles Act 1985 , a formal 10-year plan (condition report) and a reserve fund have become a requirement for strata...
Building and Energy
Department News
05 May 2023

Commissioner's Blog: Breaking the bonds tying tenants to landlords

When you walk away from a tenancy, an important next step is working out how the security bond paid at the start of the lease will be distributed between tenant and landlord. Tenants may be relying on getting back the money to help with finding a new place to live, while landlords may need some – or all – of the funds to cover damage or cleaning costs. In 2022, only 36 per cent of tenants...
Consumer Protection
Media release
04 May 2023

Caution for premature progress payments – Peter Robert Andrews

Progress payments sought when applicable building stages not complete Non-compliant contract variations to secure additional funds Caution issued by the Building Services Board Consumers are reminded that progress payments under home building work contracts should only be made for services or materials already provided. The advice follows a caution issued by the Building Services Board to Bunbury...
Building and Energy
Media release
03 May 2023

Avoid scams while spoiling Mum this Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day online shoppers warned to be on alert for fake websites and scams Consumers urged to know their rights if gifts are faulty or they’ve been misled A reminder that gift cards now have a three-year minimum expiry limit Consumer Protection is encouraging shoppers to be diligent when looking for Mother’s Day gifts, particularly online. Consumers who increasingly rely on internet shopping...
Consumer Protection
Media release
02 May 2023

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. 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 3 May 2023), the average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by 24 cents per litre (cpl) to...
Consumer Protection
Media release
02 May 2023

Funeral companies face legal action over sales practices

New funeral pricing laws will now be enforced, with businesses warned to comply Providers to give a breakdown of costs and a total price before a funeral is held Measures designed to stop questionable sales practices and prevent overcharging From today, funeral companies in Western Australia will face enforcement action if they fail to comply with new pricing laws introduced by the McGowan...
Consumer Protection
Media release
01 May 2023

Western Australia day public holiday information available

The public holiday for Western Australia Day in 2023 is Monday 5 June. Employment entitlements for public holidays will vary based on an employee's award coverage and employment arrangements. Visit the Western Australia Day public holiday entitlements 2023 page for details on the public holiday entitlements for Western Australia Day for state system employers and employees, including specific...
Labour Relations
Department News
01 May 2023

Commissioner's Blog: Avoid being billed for paper bills

Next time you spot a bill in the letterbox, it could be worth looking into whether you’re being charged extra to receive this correspondence in the mail and how you might avoid paying the fee if so. A growing number of service providers now charge a fee to cover the costs of printing and posting your bill. That list recently expanded to include Telstra, which reportedly cited ‘environmental...
Consumer Protection
Media release
27 Apr 2023

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. 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 26 April 2023), the average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by 22 cents per litre (cpl)...
Consumer Protection
Media release
25 Apr 2023

High-voltage guide to empower facility owners

Updated guidance on management of high-voltage electrical installations Publication issued by Building & Energy and endorsed by WorkSafe Revised version aligns with current regulations including new WHS Act Owners and managers of premises with high-voltage electrical installations can now access updated guidance from WA’s energy and workplace safety regulators. Facilities such as large...
Building and Energy
Media release
24 Apr 2023

Commissioner's Blog: Beware the new breed of bank scams

Scammers have been pretending to call or text from financial institutions for years, but it’s the latest twist on these banking impersonation scams that should have all consumers on high alert. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) raised the alarm after reports to Scamwatch indicated new technology was being used to make scam calls look like they were coming from the bank’s...
Consumer Protection
Media release
20 Apr 2023

2023 Regional dates for the King’s Birthday public holiday

The 2023 regional public holiday dates have been published on the Regional dates for the King’s Birthday public holiday page. Some regional areas in WA hold the King’s Birthday public holiday on specific dates, usually to coincide with a significant date or event for that area. In all other areas of Western Australia, this year’s King’s Birthday public holiday is on Monday 25 September 2023.
Labour Relations
Department News
20 Apr 2023

Vehicle repairer to pay almost $50,000 for failing to complete work (Christopher Hall / The Barra Shed / 5XH Logistics Pty Ltd)

Repairer takes payments from vehicle owners with little work carried out Three Perth consumers left out of pocket and their vehicles unusable Case highlights the dangers to consumers of paying too much money upfront A Port Kennedy vehicle repairer has been ordered by the Perth Magistrates Court to pay $48,492.59 in fines, compensation and costs after accepting payments from consumers but failing...
Consumer Protection
Media release
20 Apr 2023

Online car seller fined for misleading odometer readings (Wesam Mohammed)

Balga man sells two vehicles online with incorrect odometer readings Fined $1,600 on each charge for false or misleading representations Seller had previously been prosecuted for unlicensed dealing An online car seller has been fined $3,200 by the Perth Magistrates Court for misleading two buyers by falsifying odometer readings. Wesam Hamed Mohammed of Balga was also ordered to pay costs of $682...
Consumer Protection
Media release
19 Apr 2023

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