Consumer

Topics

VET FEE-HELP

The vocational education and training (VET FEE-HELP) scheme was a student loans scheme where many students were convinced to enrol in the scheme by door-to-door sales people or shopping mall spruikers. Some students were given the mistaken impression the courses and laptops were free, but later...
Aboriginal consumers
22 Oct 2020

Solar PV systems

WATCH
Over one third of Western Australian households already have solar PV systems, with numbers growing rapidly. These systems comprise grid-connected, stand-alone and hybrid, incorporating grid and battery back-up. Grid connect systems enable surplus power not used by the household to be fed back into...
Electrical installations
22 Oct 2020

Motor vehicles consignment sales reform

A review of the regulation of consignment sales under the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act 1973 (WA) has been completed by Consumer Protection. Review purpose The key purpose of the review was to consider whether the regulation of consignment sales should continue in its current form. Review finding A...
Consultations
21 Oct 2020

Buying a prepaid funeral

If you are considering prepaying for a funeral, either for yourself or on behalf of someone else, know your rights under the Fair Trading (Prepaid Funerals Code of Practice) Regulations 2020 (the code). Terms used in the code may help clarify common terms used on this page. What is a prepaid...
Services
29 Sep 2020

Grocery unit prices: check and compare to save money

Unit pricing at grocery stores shows consumers not just the cost of a product, but what the value of that product is as a cost per standard unit of measurement on shelf labels for groceries. Unit pricing makes it easy to check, compare and save when buying groceries. Large grocery stores and some...
Your consumer rights
17 Sep 2020

Plumbing inspections and investigations

Introduction Plumbing compliance is monitored and enforced by the Plumbers Licensing Board (the Board) through the designation of plumbing compliance officers employed within the Plumbing Inspectorate for the Building and Energy division of the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety...
Responsibilities
10 Sep 2020

Prepaid funerals

New prepaid funeral code – what it means for industry Fair Trading (Prepaid Funerals Code of Practice) Regulations 2020 (the code) is a new mandatory code of practice for Western Australia's prepaid funeral industry. The code ensures any funds are managed within secure investments under the name of...
Business tools
02 Sep 2020

Consumer Protection events and education

Important notice for presentations and events in the time of COVID-19 Consumer Protection WA cares for the health and wellbeing of its staff and the WA community. We will be assessing all events and presentations week by week to see if they can still go ahead with regards to COVID-19 restrictions...
About us
20 Aug 2020

Look for the WaterMark

WATCH
Have you checked if the products you are buying or installing are certified for use in Australia? In Australia most plumbing and drainage products must be WaterMark certified. The WaterMark Certification Scheme is a mandatory national scheme for plumbing and drainage products to ensure they are fit...
Responsibilities
18 Aug 2020

Short-term rental accommodation

New registration scheme The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries is investigating the implementation of a new state-wide registration system. Under the proposed registration system, providers of short-term rental accommodation within Western Australia would be required to...
Holiday accommodation
17 Aug 2020

Pages

Publications

Proposed reforms to retirement villages legislation in WA - Consultation Regulatory Impact Statement 4 - Managing changes to a retirement village

READ
Update on the retirement village legislation reform process Submissions to all Consultation Regulatory Impact Statements (CRIS) are now closed. We would like to thank all stakeholders who provided...
Consumer Protection
Consultations / public comment
17 Dec 2021

Industry Bulletin 139 – Coating and corrosion failure to carports and patios

READ
This bulletin is intended to highlight the responsibilities of fabricators and installers when carrying out the preparation, manufacture and installation of carport and patio structures.
Building and Energy
Bulletin
24 May 2021

Guide on price increases to home building work contracts

READ
This information relates to home building work contracts that fall within the scope of the Home Building Contracts Act 1991 – that is, contracts for home building work valued between $7,500 and $500,000.
Building and Energy
Guide / handbook
17 May 2022

Industry Bulletin 138 – Weatherproofing – Windows and doors

READ
This bulletin provides guidance on the selection and installation of windows and doors. It is intended to assist in improving the standard of design, documentation and building compliance to reduce water penetration into buildings during wind driven rain events.
Building and Energy
Bulletin
06 May 2021

Industry Bulletin 137 – Updated BA3 and BA18 certificate of compliance forms for building surveyors

READ
New versions of the BA3 – Certificate of design compliance (CDC), and BA18 – Certificate of building compliance (CBC) forms have been approved and published by the Building Commissioner. The changes to these forms are the result of the Building Amendment Regulations 2021 (the Amendment Regulations) that were published in the Government Gazette on 13 April 2021 and commence operation on 1 May 2021.
Building and Energy
Bulletin
30 Apr 2021

Industry Bulletin 136 – Building Amendment Regulations 2021 for bush fire

READ
The Building Amendment Regulations 2021 (the Amendment Regulations) were published in the Government Gazette on 13 April 2021 and commence operation on 1 May 2021. The Amendment Regulations address administrative matters around the conclusion of transitional arrangements for bush fire in the Building Regulations 2012 (the Building Regulations), and other related issues. In general, the Amendment Regulations provide ongoing concessions relating to compliance with the Building Code bush fire construction requirements.
Building and Energy
Bulletin
30 Apr 2021

Work health and safety excellence awards 2022 - Nomination submission information

READ
This document provides essential information to assist you with your Work Health and Safety Excellence Awards submission. Further information 2022 Work Health and Safety Excellence Awards 2022 Work...
WorkSafe
Information
01 Mar 2022

Safety bulletin - 01/2021 - Hazards associated with the use of e-cigarette devices

READWATCH
On 11 January 2021, the Department received a report of an incident at a mine site where an electronic cigarette (vape) battery spontaneously ignited in a worker’s pocket while he was travelling in a...
WorkSafe
Bulletin
23 Feb 2021

Licence Reform program

READ
The Digital DMIRS Strategy seeks to improve the department’s operations and service delivery through the effective use of technology. Some goals of the strategy are to modernise digital systems and...
Corporate
Information
23 Dec 2020

Compliance and enforcement policy 2015

READ
The Building and Energy’s Building Compliance (B&E Building Compliance) compliance and enforcement policy: The B&E Building Compliance will effectively monitor and enforce compliance with the building service Acts through risk-based, intelligence-led activities founded on the principles set out in this policy.
Building and Energy
Policies
15 Dec 2020

Pages

Announcements

Plumbing court case taps into risks of unlicensed work – Stewart Newby

PLUMBERS LICENSING BOARD – MEDIA STATEMENT Western Australia’s plumbing regulator is reminding consumers that plumbing work on water supply, sanitation and drainage must be carried out by licensed plumbers. The Plumbers Licensing Board has warned that incorrect or uncertified plumbing work can cause property damage and compromise public health and safety. The warning was issued by the Board...
Building and Energy
Media release
28 Jul 2022

Fines for failing to lodge tenancy bonds and trust account violations (Graeme Garwood / Harcourts Rockingham / Sand Dollar WA Pty Ltd)

Rockingham real estate agency and licensee fined a total of $23,000 Inaccuracies in trust account records and tenancy bonds lodged too late Warning to agents to ensure trust account accuracy and timely bond lodgements A Rockingham real estate agency and its licensee have been fined a total of $23,000 by the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) for failing to lodge tenancy bonds with the Bond...
Consumer Protection
Media release
27 Jul 2022

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. FuelWatch reports that, from 6am tomorrow (Wednesday 27 July 2022), the average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by over 23 cents per litre (cpl) to 186.5 cpl. Ampol, Caltex Woolworths and Coles Express hiking by up to 44 cpl up to 199.9 cpl; 7-Eleven up to 195...
Consumer Protection
Media release
26 Jul 2022

New video: Building supply chain delays

Further to the Government’s commitment to ensure consumers have resources to navigate the challenges in the building industry right now, Building and Energy has produced a short video as part of its education campaign. The video helps to explain the reasons for the current market conditions and what protections are in place to help. Watch the video here Other information available includes: A...
Building and Energy
Department News
25 Jul 2022

Commissioner's Blog: Watch out for rogue removalists

Moving house is widely considered to be one of life’s most stressful events, so we always urge consumers to choose their removalist carefully to avoid any extra drama on the day. Consumer Protection has recently received a growing number of complaints about the conduct of removalists advertising on social media. Initially the trader quotes an hourly rate and requests a small deposit, however upon...
Consumer Protection
Media release
21 Jul 2022

Dog breeder failing to provide refunds after non-delivery of puppies (Cassandra “Cassie” Warren)

Puppies not delivered on agreed dates and deposits not returned Seven WA consumers still waiting for their money back after cancelling orders Consumers urged to buy existing puppies and not rely on breeding programs A consumer alert has been issued relating to the failure of a dog breeder to deliver within an agreed time and provide refunds requested by numerous customers. Consumer Protection has...
Consumer Protection
Media release
21 Jul 2022

Fine for sub-standard land valuations of four WA properties (Graeme MacEwan)

Land valuer fined $4,000 for failing to meet accepted industry standards Inaccurate valuations have implications for buyers, sellers and tax purposes Maintaining standards is vital in upholding community confidence in the industry An Applecross land valuer has been reprimanded and fined $4,000 by the State Administrative Tribunal for failing to maintain basic industry standards when preparing...
Consumer Protection
Media release
20 Jul 2022

Surge in investment crypto scams driving losses towards record levels

Investment, particularly cryptocurrency, scams make up almost half of losses in 2022 $4.1 million dollars were conned out of 71 WA investors so far this year Potential investors urged to first seek professional advice from a licensed advisor Investment scams mostly involving cryptocurrencies are driving a surge in losses reported by WA victims to record levels in 2022. These scams now represent...
Consumer Protection
Media release
18 Jul 2022

Commissioner's Blog: Safe sleep for babies

Babies can spend up to 17 hours a day sleeping, so it’s vital to ensure the place where they spend all this time resting is as safe as possible. As the range of infant sleeping products available in the Australian market continues to grow, leading medical and injury prevention experts, industry and regulators have developed a new best practice guide for the design of safe infant sleeping...
Consumer Protection
Media release
14 Jul 2022

Builder fined for non-compliant fence, patio and pool project – Oakwood Grove Pty Ltd trading as Manray Corporate Services

Home owners left with defective, incomplete and unauthorised building work No nominated supervisor or building permits for some of the work $3,000 fine for breaches of WA’s builder registration laws The Building Services Board has fined a Success building company $3,000 for carrying out unauthorised, defective and inadequately supervised work during an outdoor renovation project in Stirling. The...
Building and Energy
Media release
14 Jul 2022

Pages

Subscribe to Topics
Subscribe to RSS - Consumer