Consumer

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Short-term rental accommodation reform

The Western Australian Government is progressing initiatives to better manage short-term rental accommodation in Western Australia through changes to the State’s planning system and introduction of a state wide registration scheme. Background In response to the 2019 Parliamentary inquiry Levelling...
Holiday accommodation
17 Nov 2022

Sale of unsafe open flued gas space heaters prohibited

As of the 10 October 2022, the sale of open-flued gas space heaters that don’t have safety shutdown features has been prohibited. This includes the sale of new and second hand heaters. The prohibition took effect on 10 October 2022 . What are the safety concerns? It’s possible for open-flued gas...
Gas appliances
13 Oct 2022

Guidelines for the safety of buildings near network operator assets

The Guidelines for the safety of buildings near network operator assets are issued under Section 33AA of the Electricity Act 1945 . The risks and potential consequences of an electrical incident involving building encroachments too near network operator assets are significant, especially for high...
Information for industry
18 Aug 2022

Video – Building supply chain delays

WATCH
Building or renovating a home can be an exciting and rewarding time. However, you need to be aware that the construction industry in WA, like elsewhere in Australia, is experiencing major shortages of materials and skilled workers due to the COVID-19 pandemic and disruptions to global trade. This...
Building a home in challenging times
22 Jul 2022

What is a dangerous incident?

If a ‘dangerous incident’ arises through the conduct of a business or undertaking the regulator must be notified immediately. Where the dangerous incident is currently life-threatening, the PCBU should ensure the regulator is notified by calling 1800 678 198 (24 hours). Where the dangerous incident...
Report an incident
29 Jun 2022

Building a home in challenging times

The WA building industry is currently impacted by an Australia-wide shortage of building materials and skilled workers, which is affecting project timeframes and costs. This is not unique to WA and is happening across the world. A guide to building a home in challenging times Content on this...
Building a home in challenging times
17 May 2022

Residential building material and labour shortages

The current, Australia-wide shortage of building materials and skilled trades is impacting the residential construction industry in Western Australia. Supply of building materials has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and increased building activity following the State and Federal stimulus...
Building a home in challenging times
17 May 2022

Price increases to home building work contracts

This information relates to home building work contracts that fall within the scope of the Home Building Contracts Act 1991 (the Act) – that is, contracts for home building work valued between $7,500 and $500,000. The Act sets out the minimum contract terms and provides circumstances when a builder...
Building a home in challenging times
17 May 2022

Funeral Pricing Code of Practice Consultation

Funeral Pricing Code A public consultation to seek industry and consumer views on the draft Fair Trading (Funeral Pricing Code of Practice) Regulations 2022 (the Funeral Pricing Code) closed on 21 April 2022. The Funeral Pricing Code was published on 8 November 2022 and will commence on 1 May 2023...
Consultations
17 Mar 2022

Associations Incorporation Act review

Consultation status: CLOSED Submissions closed 4 April 2022. Please subscribe to the Associations newsletter to keep up to date with the latest association information. The Associations Incorporation Act 2015 is being reviewed to check how well it is working. Background The purpose of this review...
Consultations
04 Feb 2022

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Publications

Portable gas cooking appliances in restaurants

READ
Building and Energy has noticed an increase in the use of unapproved portable gas cooking appliances operating on butane canisters. The commercial use of these appliances, particularly used as table-top gas cooking appliances in indoor restaurant environments, has resulted in gas explosions injuring consumers. This fact sheet is intended to raise awareness by highlighting the 2016 WA prohibition order and the potential effects on restaurant design and patron safety.
Building and Energy
Fact sheet
06 Sep 2023

Energy Safety Business Plan 2022–2023

READ
Building and Energy is Western Australia’s technical and safety regulator for the electricity industry and most of the gas industry as well as the regulator for the building, building surveying,...
Building and Energy
Plans
30 Jun 2023

Energy Safety Business Plan 2023–2024

READ
Building and Energy is Western Australia’s technical and safety regulator for the electricity industry and most of the gas industry as well as the regulator for the building, building surveying,...
Building and Energy
Plans
30 Jun 2023

Building disputes monthly report – May 2023

READ
An overview of building disputes for the month of May 2023.
Building and Energy
Reports
16 Jun 2023

Button battery flyers - Indian Oceans and Territories

READWATCH
Button batteries can be a deadly hazard. If swallowed, button batteries can cause internal burns, severe bleeding and even death. Items containing button batteries include: toys TV and car key...
Consumer Protection
Flyers
22 Jun 2023

Building disputes monthly report – April 2023

READ
An overview of building disputes for the month of April 2023.
Building and Energy
Reports
25 May 2023

Restrictions for stowed or covered appliances – Fact sheet

READ
This document provides guidance for the safety requirements of clause 6.3.2 Restriction of stowed appliances of AS/NZS 5601.2:2020 and how it applies to gas cooking appliances installed to external slide out kitchens in caravans and camper trailers (recreational vehicles).
Building and Energy
Fact sheet
12 May 2023

Funeral checklist for consumers

READ
Funeral directors can help you organise a funeral service. They must be transparent with their pricing, must not make incorrect or misleading statements and they must not offer unfair contract terms...
Consumer Protection
Checklist
12 May 2023

Building disputes monthly report – March 2023

READ
An overview of building disputes for the month of March 2023.
Building and Energy
Reports
20 Apr 2023

Information for owners of new homes with polybutylene plumbing pipes

READ
Building and Energy has announced preliminary findings from its investigation into water leaks in Perth homes from a particular brand of polybutylene pipe. The investigation focused on identifying...
Building and Energy
Fact sheet
16 Aug 2023

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Announcements

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 22 November 2023), the average price of Perth’s regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by 34 cents per...
Consumer Protection
Media release
21 Nov 2023

Tow truck company warned for misleading and unfair conduct (Specialized Tilt Tray and Towing Services Pty Ltd)

Distressed consumers are being misled following accidents 55 complaints against Specialized Tilt Tray and Towing Services in 17 months Non-disclosure agreements may contain unfair contract terms Consumer Protection is warning consumers about a tow truck company believed to be misleading consumers and then asking them to sign non-disclosure agreements to have their vehicle released from their...
Consumer Protection
Media release
21 Nov 2023

Commissioner's Blog: Knock knock – who’s there? Be spam aware!

Unsolicited sellers come in all shapes and sizes, trying to grab your attention to buy or sign up for their products or services. Traditionally, salespeople knock on your door to deliver a sales pitch in-person and Consumer Protection has regulations that control when they can visit you. Should you make an agreement with a door-to-door seller, they must provide a copy of the signed contract and...
Consumer Protection
Media release
15 Nov 2023

Mandatory training to continue to keep real estate and settlement sectors in top shape

Mandatory professional development to continue for WA real estate and settlement industries Ongoing education and training to maintain faith and confidence in industry participants Agents to administer and self-fund program The Cook Government has again thrown its support behind mandatory Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for everyone employed in the real estate and settlement sectors to...
Consumer Protection
Media release
15 Nov 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 15 November 2023), the average price of Perth’s regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by over 34 cents...
Consumer Protection
Media release
14 Nov 2023

Unlicensed car dealers on notice after $47,600 fine (Alix Aljilani)

Thornlie man convicted of selling 103 vehicles after deciding not to renew licence Consumer Protection warning to illegal dealers – “we will prosecute” Public urged to dob-in unlicensed motor vehicle dealers Buying and selling more than 100 vehicles in six months has seen a car seller who deliberately decided not to renew his dealer’s licence fined $47,600 by the Armadale Magistrates Court. Alix...
Consumer Protection
Media release
09 Nov 2023

Commissioner's Blog: Know your rechargeable battery risks

If you have a mobile phone, laptop, electric toothbrush, eScooter, eBike, any power tools, or solar power backup storage, you need to know how to reduce potentially deadly fire risks lurking in their batteries. These common household items use rechargeable lithium-ion batteries which can be highly flammable. If these batteries are used incorrectly, or are damaged, they can overheat, explode and...
Consumer Protection
Media release
08 Nov 2023

Electrician fined after home owner receives electric shocks – Nicola Terrigno

Supervising electrician did not check apprentice’s wiring work Transposed conductors caused earthed metal objects to become live Potential for serious or even fatal injuries A Bridgetown home owner was lucky to avoid serious injury after receiving multiple electric shocks from a dangerous wiring error that a Manjimup electrician failed to detect. Licensed electrical worker Nicola Terrigno (...
Building and Energy
Media release
08 Nov 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 8 November 2023), the average price of Perth’s regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by over 32 cents...
Consumer Protection
Media release
07 Nov 2023

Commissioner's Blog: Hotel hackers - scam alert for holidaymakers

If you’re looking forward to a dream holiday, then watch out for a sophisticated new scam that could risk it turning into a nightmare. Consumer Protection’s WA ScamNet team is warning travellers about unexpected messages from their accommodation providers seeking additional credit card verification, as it could be the work of scammers who have hacked into the hotel’s computer system. This two-...
Consumer Protection
Media release
01 Nov 2023

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