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Stay connected with Consumer Protection

You can keep up to date with Consumer Protection news and events by following our social media accounts: Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Connect with us on Linkedin Follow us on Instagram You can also subscribe to our bulletins: WA ScamNet alerts FuelWatch alerts Property bulletins Check...
Online resources
07 Feb 2019

House, pet or baby sitting services

Under the Australian Consumer Law, a business that provides a house sitting, pet sitting, baby sitting or cleaning service must meet service guarantees. How to protect yourself To reduce the chance of problems, consider doing the following: Contact several agencies before making a decision to get...
Services
29 Jan 2019

Travel information and checklist

When you book travel, tours, tickets and a ccommodation in Western Australia, you have consumer rights under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL). The following links provide important tips and information for visitors to Western Australia about: shopping; renting a hire car; buying a car; booking...
Travel
06 Dec 2018

Pressure cookers

WATCH
Pressure cookers have been around for a long time. Many of us are familiar with stories of ‘exploding’ cookers where boiling sauce has shot all over the walls and ceiling – or even worse - over an unsuspecting cook in the kitchen. Today’s pressure cookers have multiple safety features, including...
Product safety for consumers
08 Nov 2018

Consumer issues impacting Indigenous people 2018

National consultation on consumer issues impacting Indigenous people Status: Closed, 4 December 2018 The National Indigenous Consumer Strategy (NICS) reference group is seeking to better understand consumer protection issues affecting Indigenous people in Australia. The survey covers key priority...
Consultations
07 Nov 2018

Having gasfitting work done?

Having gasfitting work done? Make sure you use a licensed gas fitter whenever you have gasfitting work done. Having gasfitting work done publication The brochure contains information when you have gasfitting work done other than servicing. Information includes: ensuring you use a licensed gas...
Gas installations
24 Oct 2018

LP Gas cylinder safety in bush fire prone areas

LP Gas cylinder safety in bush fire prone areas Guidelines on the storage of LP Gas cylinders on properties in bush fire prone areas. LP Gas cylinder safety in bush fire prone areas brochure The guidelines aim to help residents reduce the risks associated with LP Gas cylinders should a fire...
Gas installations
24 Oct 2018

Use of gas appliances in public venues

Safe use of gas appliances in public venues This publication will assist event/venue organises and catering vendors to comply with the safety requirements. Guidelines for the safe use of gas appliances in public venues brochure Public venues include convention and exhibition centres, pavilions,...
Gas appliances
23 Oct 2018

Swimming pools and spas: electrical bonding

The risk Most pools and spas are fitted with water circulating pumps and cleaning equipment powered by electric motors. Faults can occur in these motors or in the motor’s electrical wiring. This can expose bathers to the risk of electric shock. Signs of electric shock include a tingling sensation,...
Electrical installations
28 Aug 2018

GST withholding: what you need to know: Settlement Industry Bulletin Issue 81

August 2018 Changes have been applied by the Federal Government from 1 July 2018, regarding the liability for the goods and services tax (GST). Purchasers of new residential premises and new residential subdivisions, where the transaction is a taxable supply, are now required to withhold the GST...
Buying a property
22 Aug 2018

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Publications

Better Regulation Unit Auction Sales Act review compliance letter Jan 2019

READ
This compliance letter is provided to Consumer Protection by the Better Regulation Unit (BRU) of the Department of Treasury. The BRU is responsible for assessing Decision Regulatory Impact Statements...
Consumer Protection
Information
17 Sep 2019

Better Regulation Unit motor vehicle industry review compliance letter July 2019

READ
This compliance letter is provided to Consumer Protection by the Better Regulation Unit (BRU) of the Department of Treasury. The BRU is responsible for assessing Decision Regulatory Impact Statements...
Consumer Protection
Information
12 Sep 2019

Decision Regulatory Impact Statement: The Regulation of the Auction Sales Industry in Western Australia (final report) September 2019

READ
The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety – Consumer Protection Division (Consumer Protection) recently completed a review of the Auction Sales Act 1973 (the Act). The key purpose of...
Consumer Protection
Discussion paper
16 Sep 2019

Fitness Industry Code of Practice Consultation Report September 2019

READ
The Fitness Industry Code of Practice Review 2018 – Public consultation paper was released in June 2018. Submissions to the paper closed on 27 August 2018. Stakeholders were invited to submit...
Consumer Protection
Reports
24 Sep 2019

Reforms to the building approval process for single residential buildings in WA – CRIS

READ
Reforms to the building approval process for single residential buildings in Western Australia – Consultation Regulatory Impact Statement seeks comment on three options for reforming the building...
Building and Energy
Consultations / public comment
12 Sep 2019

Decision Regulatory Impact Statement: Review of the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act 1973 and the Motor Vehicle Repairers Act 2003 (final report) July 2019

READ
Background to the review The Department of Mines Industry Regulation and Safety recently completed a combined review of legislation regulating motor vehicle dealers and repairers. Cabinet has...
Consumer Protection
Reports
12 Sep 2019

Review of the remote Aboriginal communities plumbing scheme – Consultation paper

READ
As part of the implementation of the remote Aboriginal communities plumbing scheme, a commitment was given that a review of the scheme would be undertaken once it had been in place for at least...
Building and Energy
Consultations / public comment
01 Aug 2019

Changes to the map of bush fire prone areas

READ
The McGowan Government has announced improvements to the bush fire policy framework including changes to the Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas for 19 inner metropolitan local governments (from Stirling to...
Building and Energy
Fact sheet
31 Jul 2019

Stage two of proposed reforms to retirement villages legislation in Western Australia - Consultation Regulatory Impact Statement 1

READ
Significant changes to the Retirement Villages 1992 Act (RV Act) were put in place prior to 2016 as a result of the stage one review. Many of these changes focused on providing the consumer with more...
Consumer Protection
Consultations / public comment
01 Aug 2019

Western Australia guide to standards and tolerances 2019

READ
The Western Australia guide to standards and tolerances 2019 (the Guide) has been developed for use by builders and building owners as a convenient reference for acceptable standards of workmanship...
Building and Energy
Guide / handbook
30 Jul 2019

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Announcements

Commissioner's blog: Cancelling contracts during COVID-19

Let’s say you’d found the car or caravan of your dreams, even signed on the dotted line, but then the COVID-19 pandemic hit and you could no longer go through with the deal – you may be wondering what costs you’re liable to pay. Consumer Protection has recently received a number of enquiries from consumers in the same position, who want to break the contract of sale due to job losses or travel...
Consumer Protection
Media release
08 Jun 2020

Avoid Perth petrol price rise

The average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) is set to increase by over 26 cents per litre (cpl) to 124 cpl tomorrow, so FuelWatch is encouraging Perth drivers, if they can, to fill up today to save money. FuelWatch advises that on Wednesday 3 June 2020, most branded retailers are hiking their ULP price: Coles Express hiking by 39 cpl up to 135.9 cpl; BP and Caltex up to 131.9 cpl; Caltex...
Consumer Protection
Media release
02 Jun 2020

Consumer Protection’s hot safety tips for a cold winter

Winter has officially arrived and many of us have already dragged out the winter woollies, electric blankets and hot water bottles, so here is a timely reminder about using these products safely. Commissioner for Consumer Protection Lanie Chopping said a number of winter warmer products may pose a safety risk if they are old, worn or not used properly. “As with any product, but particularly...
Consumer Protection
Media release
02 Jun 2020

Notorious aircon salesman back in business in breach of agreed ban (Alwyn Robert Healy / R.E.A.C.T.Air)

With only a few months remaining on his agreed five year ban from working in the industry, a Tapping air conditioning salesman appears to be back in business with Consumer Protection receiving recent complaints. Since 2005 Alwyn Robert Healy , while operating under several business names, has attracted a total of about 180 consumer complaints. These complaints mostly related to Mr Healy’s claims...
Consumer Protection
Media release
02 Jun 2020

Farm machinery online sales scams escalate with $140,000 in losses

Fake websites pretending to sell farm machinery are increasing in number as the number of victims and their losses also increase. WA ScamNet at Consumer Protection has now received reports from nine people losing a total of $142,975 after they paid for tractors and other farm machinery that were advertised at greatly discounted prices on fake websites, but the goods never turned up. Originally,...
Consumer Protection
Media release
28 May 2020

Avoid Perth petrol price rise

The average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) is set to increase by over 24 cents per litre (cpl) to 120.7 cpl tomorrow, so FuelWatch is encouraging Perth drivers, if they can, to fill up today to save money. FuelWatch advises that on Wednesday 27 May 2020, most branded retailers are hiking their ULP price: Caltex, Caltex Woolworths and Coles Express hiking by between 33-36 cpl up to 129.9...
Consumer Protection
Media release
26 May 2020

Retail trading hours extended for upcoming public holidays

The State Government has approved extended trading hours for general retail stores in the Perth metropolitan area for the next two public holidays on Monday 1 June 2020 (Western Australia Day) and Monday 28 September 2020 (Queen’s Birthday). These stores will be allowed to open from 8am to 6pm. Normal trading hours for these public holidays are 11am to 5pm. Retailers holding small shop...
Consumer Protection
Media release
26 May 2020

Commissioner's blog: Online shopping delivers delays

Shopping online during a global pandemic certainly has its perks – you can order almost anything your heart desires from the safety and comfort of home, while playing your part to reduce the spread of a deadly disease. Therefore it’s little wonder that online shopping sales have boomed during COVID-19, but if you have ordered something from the internet lately, chances are you would have noticed...
Consumer Protection
Media release
21 May 2020

Jobseekers misled by 'introductory' construction industry courses

Jobseekers wanting to work in the WA construction industry may be misled by a company offering “introductory” online safety training courses. It is a requirement for people working on a construction site in Australia to have what is known as a “white card” which indicates they have undertaken and passed a safety induction course delivered by a registered training provider. Consumer Protection and...
Consumer Protection
Media release
21 May 2020

Tradesman fined for taking on $40,000 building project without registration – Ross Zedric Newbold

A Perth tradesman has pleaded guilty to carrying out work that requires builder registration when he undertook a $40,000 roof and patio project, which also resulted in workmanship issues and months of delays. At Midland Magistrates Court on 11 May 2020, Ross Zedric Newbold of Alfresco Living WA was fined $5,000 and ordered to pay costs of $953.50 for breaching WA’s building registration laws...
Building and Energy
Media release
20 May 2020

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