Step one: Negotiate with your neighbour An agreement between neighbours has priority over the requirements of the Act, therefore when issues with a dividing fence occur it is best to approach the owner of the adjoining land and try to resolve matters together. In order to reach agreement with a...
Advice for consumers affected by an emergency Depending what caused the emergency – an accident or a natural disaster - whatever the damage and cause, here are few steps to help you fix up your home and get the help you need. Stay safe – asbestos, electrical and gas safety In the case of an...
The following organisations may be able to help you when you have a dispute or complaint. Categories: consumer protection agencies legal services various industry areas While this list highlights selected contacts in each category, there are others available. Consumer protection agencies Consumer...
New valves on LPG cylinders From 1 April 2021 LP Gas cylinders with new valves are being phased in. When you next exchange your BBQ or outdoor gas appliance LP Gas cylinder after 1 April 2021, you may receive a cylinder with the new valve. You won’t need to replace your BBQ or outdoor gas appliance...
If your electricity has been interrupted, a portable generator can be a convenient way to maintain power to some appliances. However, it can pose serious health and safety risks if not installed or used correctly. To safely use a generator to power your house or office electrical installation you...
Wholesale suppliers' obligation Wholesaler suppliers have obligations they must meet as set in the the Petroleum Products Pricing Act 1983. At fuel terminals, a wholesale supplier must: Notify the Commissioner of their next day's spot price or TGP for each fuel type they sell Not refuse to supply...
Terminal operators must notify a “spot” price for each fuel type they sell in accordance with the Terminal Gate Price (TGP) formula stipulated in the Petroleum Products Pricing (Maximum Terminal Gate Price) Order 2013. These prices then become the maximum price a spot purchaser can be charged for a...
Changes to pre-estimated liquidated damages From 1 January 2022, the maximum amount of pre-estimated liquidated damages that a dealer may charge is five per cent. When you sign a contract to purchase for a car, caravan, camper trailer or campervan , 4WD, motorbike, truck, or a commercial vehicle, a...
Consumer Protection, a division of the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety, promotes fair trading and consumer protection in Western Australia. From the simple act of purchasing the weekly groceries at the supermarket to the complexities of signing a contract to buy a house, we are...
Roughing it no longer has to be part of camping. Portable fridges, barbecues, cookers, outdoor heaters and other portable gas appliances can make camping holidays much more enjoyable. Beware! Portable gas appliances are great outdoors, but lethal indoors. Never...
As part of its function, Building and Energy provides an avenue for both consumers and builders to resolve disputes relating to workmanship issues in connection with a regulated building services and...
This guide to your rights when shopping answers many common consumer questions and explains your rights under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL). What if a supermarket scanner charges me too much?...
Misleading behaviour Misleading or deceptive behaviour is when a shop owner or trader presents an incorrect view about the price, value or quality of goods or services to you. A shop owner can break...
Estimates and quotes are different ways of putting a price on a job or service before the job is done. What is a quote? A quote is the total amount a tradesperson agrees it will cost to do a job or...
When buying expensive goods, including fridges, washing machines and televisions, there are many options available to help you make these purchases. Saving If you know you’re going to have to come up...
Before you buy a mobile phone or sign up to a contract you should be aware of these 10 things. 1. Shop around Look at many different types of plans, pre-paid, capped and monthly because call costs...
What is book-up? Book-up is short term credit offered by a shop owner that lets you buy goods or services and pay for them later. Some shop owners will charge a fee for allowing you to use book-up...
Experience tells us rogue traders are deliberately preying on Aboriginal consumers either door-to-door or over the phone in a telemarketing style. Don’t Come Knocking - The Australian Consumer Law...
Print the PDF and keep it in your vehicle so you have it handy when you need it. Get prepared before being involved in a car accident or roadside breakdown situation. The first tow truck doesn’t have...
Scammers target parents, pretending to be children needing urgent money Losses from WA victims amount to almost $120,000 Parents urged to verify sender before sending money or credit card details A growing number of victims in WA are falling for a text scam that targets parents who receive desperate messages for help from impostors pretending to be their son or daughter. In the past two months,...
Potential risk to residents or tradespeople accessing the switchboard $25,000 fine for electrical contractor and $5,000 fine for electrical worker Metal meter enclosure not bonded to earth and socket outlet wired incorrectly An electrical contractor and electrician have been fined $25,000 and $5,000 respectively after wiring errors left parts of a Kalamunda property unprotected against electrical...
Fake tickets have been detected at Optus Stadium events Warning that scammers will prey on Western Derby fans prior to bouncedown Consumers urged to only buy tickets from the authorised selling agent WA footy fans desperate to buy tickets to tomorrow’s Western Derby at Optus Stadium are being warned about potential scams. There are concerns by stadium management that fake tickets may have been...
Every day across Western Australia there many individuals and organisations fighting for the rights of WA consumers and a number of these outstanding efforts have been recognised in this year’s Consumer Protection Awards. One such person is Mary Martin, who received the 2022 Rona Okely Award for an individual who has given their time, energy and experience for the betterment of others. Through...
Motorists in Perth and Mandurah are advised to fill up now if they need to, with petrol prices set to rise tomorrow. FuelWatch reports that, from 6am tomorrow (Wednesday 10 August 2022), Perth’s average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by 24 cents per litre (cpl) to 181.3 cpl. Coles Express and Ampol hiking between 37-42 cpl up to 195.9 cpl; Puma up to 195.7 cpl; BP up to 191...
Investigation into tickets allegedly sold for more than the allowed 110 per cent. Viagogo urged to do more to prevent illegal ticket sales on their website. Evidence that some tickets on Viagogo are at least double the original price. Consumer Protection is investigating ticket re-selling website Viagogo for possible breaches of WA’s anti-scalping laws and is alerting WA ticket buyers. The...
Finding the right mechanic to fix or service your car can be a daunting prospect, as some consumers may worry about being overcharged or even quoted for work that’s not needed. There’s also the risk that if the vehicle repairer doesn’t do the job properly, they could be putting yourself, your passengers and other road-users at risk. That’s why it’s important to do your homework before choosing a...
Pilbara tradesman falsely presented himself as a licensed electrical contractor Signed off on electrical safety certificates without being authorised to do so Home and business owners can do a fast online search to verify electrical licences WA’s energy safety regulator is urging consumers to use its online licence search to verify that businesses they engage to carry out electrical installing...
Winners of 2022 WA Consumer Protection Awards announced The awards recognise individuals and groups whose work advances protecting consumer rights in the community A tenancy advocate and financial counsellor, a domestic violence support group, a child safety program and media stories about funeral insurance were the winners of the 2022 Consumer Protection Awards. The winners were announced during...
Retirement village law reform to make village life fairer and easierGovernment proposes wide-ranging reforms to retirement village laws in WA Law changes will make retirement village living fairer and easier for seniors A 12-month limit to the payment of exit entitlements will be introduced A revamp of laws regulating retirement villages in Western Australia is planned with the McGowan Government...
