Announcements

Showing 2026 - 2050 of 2247 results

Commissioner's Blog: Counterfeit goods pose consumer safety risk

With Acting Commissioner for Consumer Protection David Hillyard Consumer Protection recently attended an intellectual property rights workshop in Perth where makers of products, particularly electrical items, showcased physical examples of genuine and non-genuine items to highlight the differences. The session was mainly to help Australian Border Force officers detect counterfeit goods but we...
Consumer Protection
Department News
09 Dec 2016

Plumbing in remote Aboriginal communities

The Minister for Commerce has approved amendments being made to the Plumbers Licensing and Plumbing Standards Regulations 2000 (the Plumbing Regulations) to help improve health and living conditions in Western Australia’s remote Aboriginal communities. The changes will allow a suitably qualified environmental health worker based in or close to communities where ready access to a licensed plumber...
Building and Energy
Department News
05 Dec 2016

New code of conduct for WA’s building industry

A new code of conduct for Western Australia's building and construction industry will be introduced to prevent anti-competitive behaviour, improve workplace safety and add to the suite of measures adopted by the State Government to ensure subcontractors are paid on time.
Building and Energy
Department News
05 Dec 2016

Commissioner's Blog: Avoid festival trouble, save your dosh for the mosh

With Acting Consumer Protection Commissioner David Hillyard Summer’s here and that means music festival season. But what happens if a big outdoor event or live concert is cancelled or dramatically changed at the last moment? The Australian Consumer Law (ACL) gives consumers rights if an Australian business fails to deliver what they said they would … that can include calling off a festival or...
Consumer Protection
Department News
01 Dec 2016

Reasonable hours of work

Wageline receives calls every week about employees' hours of work. Often employers want to know if there is a limit to how many hours they can require their employee to work. The Hours of work page of the Wageline website provides information about reasonable additional hours of work and the factors employers need to consider when asking their employees to work those extra hours.
Labour Relations
Department News
29 Nov 2016

Residential smoke alarm requirements

Interconnection of smoke alarms in residential buildings Requirements for a building permit Building surveyors and builders are reminded that mains powered smoke alarms located inside new residential buildings (being Class 1 buildings, sole-occupancy units in Class 2 or 3 buildings and Class 4 parts of a building) are required to be interconnected where more than one alarm is required to be...
Building and Energy
Department News
28 Nov 2016

Wageline Newsletter - December edition

The Wageline Newsletter December 2016 edition has been published today. This edition launches the new look for the Newsletter and features information on Christmas New Year public holidays and a range of articles featuring common questions employers ask Wageline. Wageline Newsletter is an email service which provides updates on: increases to the state minimum wage and WA award rates of pay other...
Labour Relations
Department News
28 Nov 2016

Bereavement leave - an employee's entitlement

When faced with the loss of a family or household member, one of the first considerations is often how much leave an employee can take and whether they will be paid for their period of absence. The question that is often asked by both employees and employers is whether bereavement leave covers all employees and what relationships and situations are covered. Bereavement leave is a minimum...
Labour Relations
Department News
25 Nov 2016

Construction contracting information sessions

Are you a subcontractor or small builder engaged in the WA building and construction industry? Would you like some useful tips about entering into construction contracts in WA? Do you want to learn more about making sure you get paid or what to do in the event of a dispute? If you answered 'yes' to the above, these training sessions are for you: Getting paid: information sessions on the...
Building and Energy
Event
23 Nov 2016

Don’t slip up – provide a payslip

Many WA awards require employers to provide payslips to their employees. It is good business practice to provide a payslip as this may help to avoid confusion and disputes if queries arise. The Payslip requirements page provides further information and provides a payslip template to help employers provide payslips to their employees.
Labour Relations
Department News
15 Nov 2016

Commissioner's Blog: Family violence prompts tenancy law review

With Acting Commissioner for Consumer Protection, David Hillyard Tenancy laws in WA are under review in a bid to support victims of family violence who live in rental homes. It’s your chance to have a say because community feedback is now invited. An options paper has been released outlining proposed amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act that are designed to complement the Restraining...
Consumer Protection
Department News
10 Nov 2016

Notice periods for termination or resignation

Notice of termination is an issue about which both employers and employees regularly contact Wageline. There are minimum notice periods required for full time and part time employees based on how long the employee has been employed and the employee's age. Employers commonly ask if a terminated employee must work for all of their notice period. The employer can choose whether they require notice...
Labour Relations
Department News
09 Nov 2016

Paintback collection events (free to drop off)

Trade painters and householders can dispose of waste paint and packaging responsibly at the following collection events.
Building and Energy
Department News
08 Nov 2016

Time and wages record keeping templates

Wageline has launched new versions of the popular record keeping templates for state system employers. These six templates are designed to help small business employers meet their legal obligations for time and record keeping and keep accurate employee leave records. A payslip template is also available for providing employees with details on their pay each pay period. A common record keeping...
Labour Relations
Department News
07 Nov 2016

Parental leave common questions

State system employees are entitled to unpaid parental leave under the National Employment Standards (NES) and also additional unpaid parental leave entitlements from the state Minimum Conditions of Employment Act . For further information visit the Parental Leave page . A common question Wageline receives from employers and employees is - "Can an employee take parental leave at the same time as...
Labour Relations
Department News
01 Nov 2016

Reminder to real estate agents engaging painters and plumbers

The best way to ensure quality painting and plumbing work, and to make sure only ‘fit and proper’ persons are entering your client’s homes and places of business, is to engage appropriately registered and licensed tradespersons. Painters’ registration requirements Individuals, partnerships and companies that contract with others to provide painting services valued over $1,000 must be registered...
Building and Energy
Department News
01 Nov 2016

Scary product safety issues at Halloween

With Acting Commissioner for Consumer Protection David Hillyard The tradition of wearing costumes at Halloween has been around for centuries but it’s some of the more recent dressing-up trends that give Consumer Protection cause for concern. In the lead-up to October 31 st , we send product safety officers out to WA stores to inspect Halloween-themed items, which pose a risk to children, but we...
Consumer Protection
Department News
31 Oct 2016

Deductions from pay

Wageline frequently receives calls from both employees and employers regarding the issue of deductions from pay and when it is lawful for a deduction to occur. Information on this issue is on the Deductions from pay page.
Labour Relations
Alert
27 Oct 2016

Home owners advised against DIY plaster testing

The Building Commission is strongly advising home owners against carrying out their own plaster testing. The advice follows recent media reports and social media posts suggesting the use of a tape adhesion or “sticky tape” test to determine whether plaster has been correctly applied. Home owners are warned that testing their own walls could damage the plaster or paint. Tests should only be...
Building and Energy
Department News
25 Oct 2016

Commissioner's Blog: Your chance to reward community advocates

With Acting Commissioner for Consumer Protection, David Hillyard Do you know of an individual or organisation doing great work to help consumers or tenants, or promote product safety in WA? You can now recognise their efforts by nominating for the Consumer Protection Awards 2017. The awards are open to individuals, non-profit groups, businesses, and local government organisations, plus there's a...
Consumer Protection
Department News
20 Oct 2016

WA Award Summary updated - Restaurant Tearoom and Catering Workers Award

A new version of Wageline's Restaurant Tearoom and Catering Workers Award WA Award Summary is now available which contains more detail on pay rates for junior employees. If you have queries about junior rates under this award, please contact Wageline on 1300 655 266.
Labour Relations
Department News
13 Oct 2016

WA economy to benefit from online licensing

Online licensing to save time and money for businesses and tradespeople. Electronic lodgement of notices will reduce overheads for industry.
Building and Energy
Department News
12 Oct 2016

Transition for previous building approval forms extended

In July 2016, the Building Commission circulated an updated set of Building Commissioner approved forms for use under the Building Act 2011 , and that from 10 October 2016, previous versions of the forms would no longer be considered approved forms by the Building Commissioner. A number of stakeholders have sought to have this period extended in order to transition the new forms into their...
Building and Energy
Department News
11 Oct 2016

Commissioner's Blog: Ladder safety - a rung too many, a reach too far

With Acting Consumer Protection Commissioner David Hillyard As the warmer months approach, many of us have a list of home maintenance tasks to tick-off and that might include sprucing up hard-to-reach places during a ‘Spring-clean’, emptying gutters or pruning trees in the garden. It’s timely to talk about a growing and troubling product safety issue relating to the way ladders are used,...
Consumer Protection
Department News
05 Oct 2016

Commissioner's Blog: Trust in trades puts renovators at risk

With Acting Commissioner for Consumer Protection David Hillyard Watching The Block might have inspired you to get cracking on some home renovations but unlike the TV show contestants you won’t have access to host Scotty’s ‘black book of trades’. So, how do you go about finding trustworthy, reliable tradespeople who’ll do a good job for the right price? We’ve got some tips to help you avoid tradie...
Consumer Protection
Department News
27 Sep 2016

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