Consumer

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COVID-19 coronavirus Consumer Protection FAQ

The Commissioner for Consumer Protection has issued some advice about your consumer rights during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, with the below frequently asked questions addressing retail, travel, memberships and services issues and how they are covered by legislation. For information...
COVID-19 coronavirus FAQ
26 Mar 2020

Restaurant surcharges

Restaurants and cafes that charge a surcharge on certain days do not need to provide a separate menu. However, the menu or pricing display must include wording that ‘a surcharge of [percentage] applies on [the specified day or days]’ . This statement must be displayed in a transparent and prominent...
Store policies and sale practices
12 Nov 2019

Quad bikes

WATCH
Quad bikes have a number of design features that create risks for users, particularly when used on uneven or sloped ground. Losing control of a quad bike can cause it to flip or roll over causing death or serious injury. About quad bikes A quad bike (also known as an all-terrain vehicle or ATV) is...
Product safety for consumers
23 Oct 2019

Consumer Protection Policies

Consumer Protection has a number of policies which articulate the principles that underpin our work. These policies guide our approach to promoting fair trading and consumer protection, whether we are providing information and advice, helping consumers resolve disputes or investigating complaints...
About us
17 Oct 2019

Scam spotting - the types of scams and how to protect yourself

With many types of scams out in the community, it can be very hard to identify what is legitimate and what is a scam. Spotting scams and learning how to protect yourself from falling victim, will help you avoid losing vital personal information and money. See our Scam Spotting fact sheet below for...
Scams
08 Oct 2019

Regional Services Review Consultation Paper September 2019

Status: CLOSED, Submissions closed at 5pm on 28 October 2019 Background In late 2018, the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) commenced a Regional Services Review to improve service delivery to our regional customers. DMIRS staff and State and Local Government stakeholders...
Consultations
24 Sep 2019

Look for the tick – there’s a lot riding on it!

WATCH
Always choose a licensed motor vehicle repairer
Always choose a licensed motor vehicle repairer, by Consumer Protection
Look for the tick – there’s a lot riding on it! You wouldn’t trust your teeth to a backyard dentist, so don’t trust your car to a backyard repairer. Backyard or bush mechanics operate in WA and even though Consumer Protection aims to identify them and stop...
Servicing, repair and towing
18 Sep 2019

The Regulation of the Auction Sales Industry in Western Australia (final report) September 2019

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). Review purpose The purpose of the review was to assess the Act’s relevance and appropriateness in meeting current and...
Decision regulatory impact statements
06 Sep 2019

Buying a boat

Buying a boat can be a costly outlay for most people and is no different to buying a car. Make sure you do as much research as possible before you buy a boat, whether it is through a boat yard or a private seller. The Department of Transport and the Boating Industry Association of WA have some...
Buying a boat
19 Aug 2019

Motor Vehicle Industry Review: Decision Regulatory Impact Statement (final report) July 2019

A combined review of the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act 1973 and the Motor Vehicle Repairers Act 2003 was recently completed. Review purpose The key purpose of the review was to assess the effectiveness of the legislation and to ensure it is appropriate and operating in the interests of both consumers...
Decision regulatory impact statements
05 Aug 2019

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Publications

Thinking of purchasing a new car? Tips for consumers

READ
Follow these tips to protect yourself: 1. Research Before you buy a new or used car, do some research to determine which car is right for you and what you can afford. 2. Check safety rating Check the...
Consumer Protection
Flyers
11 Dec 2019

Motor vehicle repairers - tips for consumers

READ
Does your vehicle need repairs? Follow these tips to protect your asset and your family. 1 Research. Before you book your car in for a service, new tyres or repairs ask for recommendations from your...
Consumer Protection
Flyers
02 Dec 2019

Annual Report 2018- 2019

The department's annual report for 2018-2019 presents information on its statutory compliance, financial, non-financial and operational performance, in accordance with the requirements of the...
Corporate
Reports
08 Nov 2019

Local government’s four yearly inspections of private swimming pool safety barriers 2018/19

READ
Progress report on local government’s four yearly inspections of private swimming pool safety barriers 2018/19 Please note: The figure on page 7 of 8.3% for the City of Nedlands should be 0%
Building and Energy
Reports
21 Oct 2019

Consumer Protection Public Naming of Traders Policy

READ
The Consumer Protection Public Naming of Traders Policy was reviewed and updated in June 2019. “Naming” is the public identification of a trader reasonably suspected of contravening the Australian...
Consumer Protection
Policies
24 Dec 2019

Consumer Protection Disclosure Policy

READ
The Consumer Protection Disclosure Policy was reviewed and updated in September 2019. In the course of its operations, Consumer Protection obtains or has access to a wide range of information. Some...
Consumer Protection
Policies
24 Dec 2019

Consumer Protection Media Policy

READ
The Consumer Protection Media Policy was reviewed and updated in January 2019. The Media Policy provides all Consumer Protection officers with guidelines about which officers are authorised to...
Consumer Protection
Policies
24 Dec 2019

Scam spotting - the types of scams and how to protect yourself

READ
With many types of scams out in the community, it can be very hard to identify what is legitimate and what is a scam. Spotting scams and learning how to protect yourself from falling victim, will...
Consumer Protection
Information
19 Feb 2020

Electric shocks – Fact sheet

READ
A guide to prevention, common warning signs and what action to take.
Building and Energy
Fact sheet
26 Sep 2019

Gift card toolkit for consumer advocacy stakeholders

READWATCH
Gift card toolkit for consumer advocacy stakeholders In Australia, approximately 34 million gift cards are sold each year, with an estimated value of $2.5 billion. It is estimated that $70 million of...
Consumer Protection
Information
27 Sep 2019

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Announcements

Holiday safety consumer alert: Blind and curtain cords can kill

A holiday safety consumer alert has been issued by Consumer Protection following the recent tragic death of a two-year-old girl who was strangled by a blind cord at her home on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast last month. With children spending more time at home over the summer holiday season, the young child’s death is a grim reminder that parents and carers must be vigilant to the dangers in the...
Consumer Protection
Media release
15 Dec 2020

$6,000 fine for property manager who took money from agency trust account (Kylie Jo-Anne Thomas)

A property manager employed by a Mandurah real estate agency has been fined $6,000 and ordered to pay $400 costs by the Mandurah Magistrates Court for taking money from the agency’s trust account for her own purposes. Kylie Jo-Anne Thomas was convicted on 8 December 2020 of making unauthorised withdrawals from the trust account in breach of the Real Estate and Business Agents Act. In August and...
Consumer Protection
Media release
11 Dec 2020

New LPG cylinder valve transition

In recent years, concerns have been raised regarding incidents resulting from leaked gas due to a known weakness in the current Type 21 ‘POL’ cylinder valve. After considerable consultation, Standards Australia have published AS/NSZ 5601.1:2013 Amendment 4 and AS/NSZ 5601.2:2020 which include a change from the current Type 21 ‘POL’ connection on a LPG cylinder to a new safer leisure cylinder connection (LCC27). The standards refer to this as the Type 27 connection.
Building and Energy
Department News
10 Dec 2020

Commissioner's blog: Gas safety warning for campers

The great outdoors is the place to be this summer – and the same goes for portable gas-fuelled appliances such as cookers, heaters, barbecues and fridges. WA’s gas safety regulator, Building and Energy, is warning that this equipment must never be used inside tents, caravans or other enclosed spaces. Even if the doors or windows are open, you could be exposed to potentially lethal levels of a...
Consumer Protection
Media release
09 Dec 2020

Caravan and motorhome owners urged to check for deadly faulty water heaters before the holidays

The ACCC has issued a media release urging consumers to check their caravans and recreational vehicles (RVs) for dangerous Surburban branded water heaters which may emit carbon monoxide. A recall was issued in November 2019 for Surburban recreational vehicle water heaters due to their safety hazards. If you have an affected water heater, do not use it in gas mode under any circumstances. For...
Building and Energy
Alert
10 Dec 2020

Advice for travellers affected by COVID-19 confusion and cancellations

Consumer Protection is advising WA holidaymakers to carefully consider the terms and conditions of their travel bookings in relation to cancellations or postponements, with recent border openings expected to spark a travel surge particularly over the Christmas and summer holiday season. Travellers should consider what their options might be if border closures or restrictions are re-imposed before...
Consumer Protection
Media release
09 Dec 2020

Avoid Perth petrol price rise

The average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) is set to increase by over 30 cents per litre (cpl) to 135.4 cpl tomorrow, so FuelWatch is encouraging Perth drivers, if they can, to fill up today to save money. FuelWatch advises that on Wednesday 9 December 2020, most branded retailers are hiking their ULP price: Coles Express hiking by 43 cpl up to 147.9 cpl; Caltex Woolworths, 7-Eleven,...
Consumer Protection
Media release
08 Dec 2020

Real estate agency fined for employing unregistered sales rep (HKY Real Estate Pty Ltd / Shane Penny)

An Ellenbrook real estate agency has been reprimanded and fined by the State Administrative Tribunal for employing an unregistered sales representative. HKY Real Estate Pty Ltd was fined $7,000 while the unregistered sales representative Shane David Penny was fined $1,500, in addition to costs of $500 each for breaching the Real Estate and Business Agents Act. Mr Penny held a certificate of...
Consumer Protection
Media release
08 Dec 2020

Asbestos removal and demolition operator misleading consumers over licences (David Michael Scofield)

WA consumers are being warned about an asbestos and demolition operator who is misleading the community, by falsely claiming to hold valid WorkSafe licences which have expired or were once held by companies that have since been liquidated. David Michael Scofield of Applecross, is the registrant of the website www.actionasbestos.com.au which contains a reference to “Class 2 Demolition Licence No...
Building and Energy / Consumer Protection
Media release
04 Dec 2020

Talent agent to pay almost $12,000 for taking payments from aspiring models and failing to deliver (Chrystofa Aarons / CSA Models)

A Perth modelling agent has been ordered to pay almost $12,000 in fines, costs and compensation by the Perth Magistrates Court for taking payments from aspiring male models but failing to deliver what he had promised. Chrystofa Stratton Aarons , trading as CSA Models , pleaded guilty on 27 November 2020 to six charges of breaching the Australian Consumer Law by accepting payments from four male...
Consumer Protection
Media release
03 Dec 2020

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