Consumer

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Electricity (Network Safety) Regulations 2015 The Electricity (Network Safety) Regulations 2015 came into effect on 6 August 2015. The Electricity (Network Safety) Regulations 2015 are designed to ensure the safety of the public, consumers and electricity workers in the vicinity of electricity...
Network operator
The Do Not Call Register is a secure database where you can list your Australian numbers to opt out of receiving most unsolicited telemarketing calls and marketing faxes. You can list your home, personal mobile and/or fax number to reduce telemarketing calls. Registration is free and you can remove...
Door to door and telephone sales
Before hiring a service provider (tradesperson, motor vehicle repairer, etc) you should ask for a quote so there is no dispute later about the costs. What is a quote? A quote is a statement of the price for which goods or services will be supplied. When a quote is accepted, a contract is formed...
Tradespeople
Scammers advertise non-existent goods, hoping to use their so-called bargain to fleece you of your hard-earned money. They advertise anything from puppies to boats, cars and car parts to concert/event tickets, sometimes masquerading as a local to lull you into a false sense of security. Scammers...
Buying online
Know who you are dealing with Before buying from an online store or seller: make sure you are using reputable, well-known retail websites check online forums, feedback and reviews from previous customers if the seller claims to be an Australian registered company, look up their ACN – visit the...
Buying online
When you buy from a private individual seller who is not running an online business, this is called a consumer-to-consumer transaction. Examples include a person selling: a set of golf clubs on Gumtree; a vintage dress on eBay; or used books on Amazon. Note: If the seller has any of the following,...
Buying online
Penny auctions or bidding fee auction sites are a relatively new form of online buying. Participants enter an online auction to purchase heavily discounted goods and services, paying a non-refundable fee for every bid. The price rises with each bid as participants try to purchase the discounted...
Buying online
Examples of an 'international trader' would be a Hong Kong business selling watches on eBay, or Amazon selling books or DVDs where the business is located in another country. If you bought your item from a private individual seller, view information on buying from a private seller . When buying...
Buying online
Australian businesses and companies which trade online can include: department stores and supermarkets; an individual who has a registered business or company; or an individual selling items through an online platform, such as eBay, who: lists an ABN or company name in their advertising, has a high...
Buying online
Gift cards or vouchers can be the ideal gift but it is essential for the buyer, recipient and trader to understand the terms and conditions. Gift card checklist Check the expiry date on your gift card carefully, as those supplied before 1 November 2019 are not required to be honoured past the...
Lay-by and gift vouchers

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Publications

29 January 2016 As outlined in e-bulletin issue 53 , the regulation of fees will cease as of 3 February 2016. Settlement agents are able to determine the fee structure to charge their client for...
Consumer Protection
Bulletin
29 Jan 2016
25 January 2016 Following consultation with industry in 2014, the Minister for Commerce has announced the scale of maximum fees for settlement agents will be removed. From Wednesday 3 February 2016,...
Consumer Protection
Bulletin
02 Mar 2016
25 January 2016 Following consultation with industry in 2014, the Minister for Commerce has announced the scale of maximum fees fixed for land valuers will be removed. From Wednesday 3 February 2016...
Consumer Protection
Bulletin
27 Jan 2016
Have your say Feedback on the proposed amendments will be accepted until Monday 29 February 2016 Make a submission The Co-operatives Amendment Bill 2015 (the Bill), introduced into the Parliament in...
Consumer Protection
Consultations / public comment
13 Jan 2016
In Western Australia building work is required to comply with the requirements of the Building Code of Australia (BCA). The BCA is a performance based document that provides minimum technical...
Building and Energy
Fact sheet
31 Jul 2019
Please note, this publication is currently under review. A new version will be published shortly. This guide will help you understand the process for obtaining approval to build and occupy a building...
Building and Energy
Guide / handbook
23 Jun 2020
Publication last updated August 2023 If Consumer Protection is unable to help you resolve your complaint, the State Administrative Tribunal may be able to assist you. Consumer Protection operates a...
Consumer Protection
Fact sheet
16 Aug 2023

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Announcements

1 April has become a landmark date for checking smoke alarms Activate the test button and check the alarm is not more than 10 years old Useful information and fact sheets at Building and Energy’s website WA’s building and electrical safety regulator wants home owners to look up at their smoke alarms this April Fools’ Day, the landmark date for checking the life-saving devices. Building and Energy...
Building and Energy
Media release
30 Mar 2023
Appeal to WA tenants and landlords to claim outstanding bond money More than $4 million being held, waiting to be returned to rightful owners Free, quick and easy online process to search for and claim money owed Tenants and landlords in WA are being urged by Consumer Protection to check for unclaimed bond money which currently totals $4.15 million. The funds are being held by the Bond...
Consumer Protection
Media release
30 Mar 2023
Consumer Protection is alerting Western Australian car buyers to check vehicle sales contracts before signing for the correct cancellation fees and terms and conditions. Motor vehicle dealers in WA have been caught using incorrect or outdated sales contracts which state a cancellation fee that is higher than what is now legally allowed. Since 1 January 2022, the maximum amount motor dealers can...
Consumer Protection
Media release
29 Mar 2023
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 29 March 2023), the average price of Perth’s regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by 25 cents per litre...
Consumer Protection
Media release
28 Mar 2023
Around $50,000 in fines, compensation and costs for multiple building offences Defective, incomplete and incorrectly contracted concrete services in Scarborough, Caversham, Alkimos, Ellenbrook and Port Kennedy Previous warning issued by Building & Energy and Consumer Protection A Perth driveway company and its director have been ordered to pay almost $50,000 in fines, compensation and costs...
Building and Energy
Media release
27 Mar 2023
Five individuals have become the first to face legal action under the McGowan Government’s new ticket scalping laws Infringement notices relate to the recent sold-out UFC 284 event in Perth, with further cases still under investigation Ticket mark-ups were up to 430 per cent of the original ticket price, exceeding the 10 per cent permitted Footy fans urged to be on the lookout for ticket scalpers...
Consumer Protection
Media release
26 Mar 2023
Every cent counts during the current cost of living crisis, so it can come as a shock to discover extra fees or charges have been added to a purchase before checkout, or tacked on to the receipt after paying. Hidden fees may come in a number of disguises, so it’s important to know what to look for and understand your rights to avoid spending more than you’d initially planned. Pre-selected extras...
Consumer Protection
Media release
23 Mar 2023
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 March 2023), the average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by 22 cents per litre (cpl)...
Consumer Protection
Media release
21 Mar 2023
WA Government has partnered with IDCARE to deliver 20 Cyber Resilience Outreach Clinics, with a focus on remote and regional areas Western Australians lost a record total of almost $16 million to scams in 2022 Report scams and suspicious activity to WA ScamNet to warn the community The McGowan Government has joined forces with Australia and New Zealand's national identity and cyber support...
Consumer Protection
Media release
20 Mar 2023
Cute photos of puppies and kittens have been used by scammers for years to dupe prospective pet buyers out of their hard-earned money and it’s only getting worse. In Western Australia last year, our WA ScamNet team received 114 reports of pet scams, with 75 victims losing more than $216,000 – a three-fold increase on both the losses and victim numbers reported five years earlier in 2017. Most pet...
Consumer Protection
Media release
16 Mar 2023

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