Announcements

Showing 176 - 200 of 2250 results

Commissioner's Blog: Block your driver’s licence to lock-out identity thieves

Money is not the only thing scammers are looking to steal these days – your personal identification can be just as valuable to them. As part of their ruse, scammers posing as legitimate organisations or government service providers often pretend to need copies of your driver’s licence and passport to verify your identity, when their actual aim is to steal it. Having your identity stolen can cause...
Consumer Protection
Media release
14 Sep 2023

Contract Cleaner Award - Coverage clause updated

The Area and Scope clause of the state Contract Cleaners Award has been updated to improve clarity about coverage of this WA award. This change, which is effective from 13 September 2023 , was made as part of a process being undertaken by the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission to update the scope of a number of private sector WA awards. Specifically, the changes to the Contract...
Labour Relations
Department News
13 Sep 2023

Hazards at three Pilbara homes following electrical errors – Minbaringu Services Pty Ltd, Zane Russell, Trent Tatham

Houses in Tom Price and Wickham left unprotected Electricians failed to install a vital safety component during switchboard upgrades Company submitted incorrect safety and compliance declarations Occupants in three Pilbara homes were left exposed to potentially fatal hazards for weeks after electricians failed to install essential safety devices while upgrading switchboards. Karratha electrical...
Building and Energy
Media release
12 Sep 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 13 September 2023), the average price of Perth’s regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by 31 cents per...
Consumer Protection
Media release
12 Sep 2023

Children working at the 2023 Perth Royal Show

The 2023 Perth Royal Show is being held in late September. There are laws which set restrictions on what ages children can work in Western Australia which apply to all workplaces including retail outlets, mobile food vans, and amusement rides at the Royal Show. Written parental permission is required for some young workers. Business owners and parents need to know: 15 years old is the youngest a...
Labour Relations
Department News
11 Sep 2023

Consumer Protection leads campaign to call out real estate racism

Consumer Protection disciplines real estate agent for racist conduct Email accused Indian immigrants of “turning our beautiful country into filth” WA tenants urged to speak out and report racist behaviour Consumer Protection Commissioner Trish Blake has promised to stand behind any tenant calling out racist behaviour within the WA real estate industry. “There is no place for racism in society –...
Consumer Protection
Media release
08 Sep 2023

Sole trader fined $47,250 over worker fall

A sole trader in the Great Southern has been fined $47,250 (and ordered to pay $4241 in costs) over a fall suffered by a worker that caused serious injuries. Brett Sidney Cavanagh pleaded guilty to failing to provide and maintain a safe work environment and, by that failure, causing serious harm to an employee and was fined in the Katanning Magistrates Court on Monday. In August 2020, Mr Cavanagh...
WorkSafe
Media release
07 Sep 2023

Commissioner's Blog: Block your driver’s licence to lock-out identity thieves

Money is not the only thing scammers are looking to steal these days – your personal identification can be just as valuable to them. As part of their ruse, scammers posing as legitimate organisations or government service providers often pretend to need copies of your driver’s licence and passport to verify your identity, when their actual aim is to steal it. Having your identity stolen can cause...
Consumer Protection
Media release
07 Sep 2023

Commissioner's Blog: Don’t get caught in a subscription trap

Whether it’s a gym, streaming service, or dating site you’re signed up to, it can be tricky keeping track of how much money is leaving your bank account each month to pay for subscriptions and memberships. These small, but regular, costs can soon add up and contribute to cost of living pressures, so it can be worthwhile taking the time to see which services are worth keeping and which ones aren’t...
Consumer Protection
Media release
07 Sep 2023

Commerce Minister media statement – Multilingual building guidance for Western Australian home owners

Media statement from Commerce Minister Sue Ellery New building guidance to help Western Australians building a home Key advice and important checks for each building or renovation stage Consumer-friendly videos to be translated to different languages and dialects Resources will protect communities and support the building & construction industry The Cook Government has developed a suite of...
Building and Energy
Media release
06 Sep 2023

Electrical safety concerns prompt spit rotisserie ban – Flaming Coals SPG1500

Electric shock risks from unearthed spit motor Flaming Coals SPG1500 1.5m dual-fuel spit with 100kg electric rotisserie Prohibition of sale, hire and use WA’s energy safety regulator has banned the sale, hire and use of a large spit rotisserie barbecue due to electric shock risks. Building and Energy’s statewide prohibition applies to the SPG1500 F laming Coals 1.5m dual fuel (gas and charcoal)...
Building and Energy
Media release
06 Sep 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 6 September 2023), the average price of Perth’s regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by 31 cents per...
Consumer Protection
Media release
05 Sep 2023

Commerce Minister media statement – Cook Government to roll out landmark registration scheme for building engineers

Media statement from Commerce Minister Sue Ellery Landmark registration of more than 1,000 engineers in the building sector The registration will deliver safer buildings and greater accountability Two-year transition periods for civil, structural, mechanical, and fire safety engineers Part of a wide-ranging improvement plan for building regulation in Western Australia The Cook Government is set...
Building and Energy
Media release
04 Sep 2023

Scammers target seniors with fake WA Seniors Card website

Scammers stealing money and ID from seniors WA Seniors Card membership is free of charge and only available via www.seniorscard.wa.gov.au Contact ID Care immediately if you gave out your ID or your bank if you paid a fee Western Australian seniors are being targeted by scammers through a fake WA Seniors Card website requesting money and multiple forms of personal identification. The fake website...
Consumer Protection
Media release
31 Aug 2023

Understanding NCC 2022 and implementation clarification

Following the recent update on plans to extend the transitional period associated with implementation of the NCC 2022 in Western Australia, Building and Energy has received a number of queries regarding the current transitional provisions.
Building and Energy
Department News
30 Aug 2023

Commissioner's Blog: Nothing nice about surprise visits

Everyone has the right to privacy in their own homes, and those living in rental properties across Western Australia are certainly no exception. Claims of private landlords and property managers arriving unannounced for inspections, maintenance and rent collection are fairly common issues reported to Consumer Protection – in the past two years, our team has fielded 177 enquiries and 36 complaints...
Consumer Protection
Media release
30 Aug 2023

Fire assay company fined $30,000 after workers record high lead levels

A fire assay company has been fined a total of $30,000 (and ordered to pay $5647 in costs) after four workers recorded high levels of lead in their blood and one was hospitalised. Jinning Pty Ltd pleaded guilty under the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996 to two charges of failing to ensure that biological monitoring was conducted on an employee in a lead-risk job, along with two...
WorkSafe
Media release
29 Aug 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 30 August 2023), the average price of Perth’s regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by 31 cents per...
Consumer Protection
Media release
29 Aug 2023

WA charity donors warned to be on scam alert

Personal information hacked and leaked to the dark web Major breach affects more than 70 Australian charities Public urged to be on high alert for uninvited calls, texts and emails Western Australians who have made financial donations to charities in the last 10 years or more are being urged to beware of scams following reports of a major data breach of a telemarketing company holding donor...
Consumer Protection
Media release
24 Aug 2023

WorkSafe looks into safety at aged care facilities

WorkSafe has commenced a proactive inspection program to look at safety issues in WA aged care and residential care facilities. The inspection program will look at a number of randomly-selected facilities across metropolitan and regional areas of the State throughout the 2023/24 financial year. Inspectors will place a strong emphasis on industry-specific hazards, along with workplace violence and...
WorkSafe
Media release
24 Aug 2023

Commissioner's Blog: Receipt rules apply to all purchases

Many shoppers like to ‘tap-and-go’ when paying for purchases, while others like to hand-over cash, but one thing all consumers have in common is the right to receive a receipt if they want one. Consumer Protection was concerned recently to hear claims that a retailer in WA had denied a consumer’s request for a paper receipt, citing ‘company policy’ and pointing them to their own bank statement...
Consumer Protection
Media release
23 Aug 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 23 August 2023), the average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by 30 cents per litre (cpl)...
Consumer Protection
Media release
22 Aug 2023

Father and son face building allegations – Alan Bradley Mason and Luke David Mason of Ranlak Pty Ltd

Negligent, misleading and unconscionable conduct under builder registration laws Issues during building projects in Shenton Park, Kensington and North Perth $25,000 total fine following SAT mediation with Building and Energy A father and son have been fined a combined $25,000 for improper conduct while overseeing four building projects, including carrying out unauthorised work, providing...
Building and Energy
Media release
17 Aug 2023

Nominate a community champion for Consumer Protection Awards

Nominations now open for 2024 Consumer Protection Awards Seeking consumer rights educators and advocates, including the media Individuals, organisations and groups urged to submit a nomination The search is on for outstanding individuals, organisations, groups and the media who advocate for and promote consumer rights in WA, with nominations open for the prestigious 20 th anniversary Consumer...
Consumer Protection
Media release
17 Aug 2023

Commissioner's Blog: Don’t be taken for a ride buying a used-car

There’s a lot to consider when buying a used car, such as your budget and what type of vehicle will suit your needs, but of utmost importance is ensuring you don’t drive away with a lemon. We recently issued a warning against licensed car dealer Ventura Autos, after receiving 136 complaints about the selling of unroadworthy vehicles, in breach of the Australian Consumer Law. During their...
Consumer Protection
Media release
17 Aug 2023

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