Announcements

Showing 226 - 250 of 2248 results

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 12 July 2023), the average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by 31 cents per litre (cpl) to...
Consumer Protection
Media release
11 Jul 2023

Alarm raised over patio and shed business failing to complete work (Factory Direct Group / Profounder Factory Direct / Factory Direct WA)

Factory Direct WA customers paid $342,264 but most received nothing Contracts entered into go as far back as October 2021 with no work completed 60 complaints from WA consumers so far Consumer Protection has raised the alarm over a business that supplies and builds patios, carports, garages and sheds, after 60 WA consumers lodged complaints claiming goods and services were not supplied, or the...
Consumer Protection
Media release
07 Jul 2023

Job seekers fleeced by work from home scam

20 victims report losses totalling half a million dollars Victims lured by promises of work from home for high returns Victims tricked into investing crypto currency to secure a job People seeking jobs with flexible work conditions such as working from home, have fallen foul of an employment scam that has so far claimed 20 victims in Western Australia who reported losing a total of $510,000. The...
Consumer Protection
Media release
06 Jul 2023

Construction company fined $600,000 over Rottnest building collapse

A construction company has been fined $600,000 over serious injuries suffered by two workers at a construction site on Rottnest Island. Firm Construction Pty Ltd pleaded guilty to failing to provide and maintain a safe work environment and, by that failure, causing serious harm to the two workers, and was fined in the Perth Magistrates Court on Monday. In February 2020, workers employed by...
WorkSafe
Media release
06 Jul 2023

Major penalty for multiple building offences – The Carport Co Pty Ltd and Alan Benjamin Dickson

Almost $250,000 in fines, compensation and costs No builder registration for carport work in Cottesloe and Mount Pleasant Ignored official orders to rectify work in Alexander Heights and Mount Hawthorn A Perth tradesman and his company have been ordered to pay almost $250,000 in fines, compensation and costs after four property owners were left with unauthorised, defective or incomplete building...
Building and Energy
Media release
05 Jul 2023

Commissioner's Blog: Shops must act honestly on extended warranties

It’s a familiar scenario for many shoppers – you’re about to pay for a new car or appliance, then the salesperson tries to ‘upsell’ you with an extended warranty for things that may go wrong after the manufacturer’s warranty expires. As the end of financial year sales roll around, we want consumers to seriously question whether buying this type of insurance policy means paying for rights they...
Consumer Protection
Media release
05 Jul 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 5 July 2023), the average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by 30 cents per litre (cpl) to...
Consumer Protection
Media release
04 Jul 2023

WA award pay rates and the state minimum wage increased Saturday, 1 July 2023

On 16 June 2023, the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission increased the state minimum wage and all pay rates in WA awards effective from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2023. The state minimum wage for adult employees (21 and over) has increased by 5.3% or $43.50 per week to $863.40 per week. WA award rates of pay have increased by 5.3%. Junior rates and rates for...
Labour Relations
Department News
03 Jul 2023

Commerce Minister media statement – Benefits to flow from plumbing reforms

Media statement from Hon Sue Ellery BA MLC, Minister for Commerce Expanded regulation of plumbing work to reduce risks to public health, safety and the environment Amended plumbing legislation will ensure adequate protections across Western Australia, including unmetered water supplies in regional areas Additional plumbing inspectors to enforce plumbing laws The State Government is ensuring all...
Building and Energy
Media release
30 Jun 2023

1 July 2023 pay rates now available on the Wageline website

Wageline now has available the 1 July 2023 versions of its WA award summaries which include the new rates of pay that will apply from the first pay period on or after 1 July 2023, and has published the new state minimum rates of pay for award free employees. Visit www.dmirs.wa.gov.au/awardsummaries for the July 2023 award summaries Visit www.dmirs.wa.gov.au/minimumpayrates for the new minimum...
Labour Relations
Department News
29 Jun 2023

Button battery laws one year on are keeping children safe

43 per cent of button battery products inspected failed to meet product safety standards 19 Infringement Notices issued in WA Button battery emergency department presentations have halved in last two years 43 per cent of inspected products containing button batteries failed to meet product safety standards in Western Australia since mandatory button battery laws came into effect last year. The...
Consumer Protection
Media release
29 Jun 2023

Guidance following Flexible Homes’ liquidation

Building and Energy is advising property owners affected by the liquidation of Flexible Homes Pty Ltd to contact their home indemnity insurance (HII) provider, QBE Insurance. The Perth building company appointed liquidators yesterday (27 June 2023). Building and Energy understands Flexible Homes was directly contracted for 19 building projects. Building and Energy Executive Director Saj...
Building and Energy
Media release
28 Jun 2023

Commissioner's Blog: Avoid tax-time scams

Ongoing cost of living pressures mean many Western Australians will be looking forward to receiving tax refunds, but the end of a financial year is also a time when scammers emerge with false promises of monetary windfalls. In a sign scammers are once again ramping up their tax-time efforts, our WA ScamNet team has received reports of a phishing email claiming to be from the Australian Tax Office...
Consumer Protection
Media release
28 Jun 2023

Electrician leaves live wires at new home – Aiden Dunstan

Exposed wiring in lounge room energised at a lethal voltage Electrician completed and signed a checklist for the electrical work $3,500 fine and almost $1,200 costs after prosecution by Building and Energy A Joondalup magistrate has condemned the “egregious error” of an electrician who missed hazardous exposed wires while checking work at a Two Rocks home. At Joondalup Magistrates Court on 9 June...
Building and Energy
Media release
27 Jun 2023

Pool fibreglass repairer fined for leaving owners out of pocket (Marcello “Marc” Maddaloni)

$8,000 fine for taking deposits and not completing pool repair work Three consumers paid deposits totalling $6,050 Public urged to only pay small deposits or make progress payments to reduce risk A swimming pool fibreglass repairer has been fined by the Perth Magistrates Court for breaching the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) by taking deposits from three consumers and failing to supply goods and...
Consumer Protection
Media release
27 Jun 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 28 June 2023), the average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by over 28 cents per litre (...
Consumer Protection
Media release
27 Jun 2023

Scammers steal over $300,000 from real estate agent trust account

Real estate agent lost $329,500 to remote access bank scam Scammers posed as bank on phone and knew latest transactions in the account Agents urged to not give out access codes or allow remote access Consumer Protection is warning the real estate and settlement industries to be extra vigilant to calls from their bank after scammers successfully stole $329,500 from a WA real estate agent’s trust...
Consumer Protection
Media release
26 Jun 2023

Consumers fight back against Albany shed seller and win (Aussie Sheds Albany / Armand Javellana)

Aussie Sheds Albany owner found guilty of breaching ACL $158,853 worth of deposits paid for incomplete shed and patio works 11 consumers to receive full compensation An Albany shed seller who took large deposits from consumers between January 2020 and 25 July 2020 and failed to deliver goods and services in a reasonable timeframe has been found guilty of breaching the Australian Consumer Law (ACL...
Consumer Protection
Media release
21 Jun 2023

Commissioner's Blog: Battery disposal a burning issue

They come in all shapes and sizes to power many different devices, yet every battery has the potential to become a menace if they end up in your rubbish or recycling bin. Some batteries contain toxic chemicals, heavy metals and other pollutants that can contaminate water supplies when they enter landfill, while rechargeable lithium-ion batteries become fire hazards if they are damaged or crushed...
Consumer Protection
Media release
21 Jun 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 21 June 2023), the average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by over 28 cents per litre (...
Consumer Protection
Media release
20 Jun 2023

Amendment Regulations – You said, we did

The Commerce Regulations Amendment (Building Services) Regulations 2023 (Amendment Regulations), to introduce registration for building engineers in WA, were released for public consultation from 17 August to 24 October 2022. Building and Energy received 17 submissions on this draft.
Building and Energy
Department News
19 Jun 2023

Commissioner's Blog: Leaving a rental home

When it comes time to move out of a rental property, knowing what’s involved in advance can help ensure things run more smoothly. How much notice to give depends on whether a fixed-term or periodic tenancy is being wound-up. Even though a fixed-term tenancy is for the period agreed in writing, it does not end automatically – notice must be given by either party 30 days’ before the expiry date, or...
Consumer Protection
Media release
14 Jun 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 14 June 2023), the average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by over 28 cents per litre (...
Consumer Protection
Media release
13 Jun 2023

Location allowance increases for regional employees

Many WA awards require employees to be paid a location allowance when employed in certain regional towns. Location allowances have just been increased by the 2023 Location Allowance General Order, and new rates take effect from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2023. The new rates for each town and a list of the relevant WA awards are available on the Location allowance for employees...
Labour Relations
Department News
13 Jun 2023

Construction company manager fined $60,000 over 2017 fall death of 17-year-old worker

A construction company manager has been fined $60,000 (and ordered to pay $45,813.50) in costs) over the fall death of a 17-year-old worker in 2017. Luke Fraser Corderoy, a manager of Industrial Construction Services Pty Ltd (ICS) was found guilty of failing to provide and maintain a work environment free from hazards and that the incident occurred with his consent or was attributable to his...
WorkSafe
Media release
13 Jun 2023

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