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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety is committed to completing regulatory impact assessment processes when amending or developing legislation. Decision Regulatory Impact Statements (DRIS) represent the final step in the process and reflect the outcome of stakeholder consultation...
The Disposal of Uncollected Goods Act 1970 (DUG Act) is being reviewed to examine the processes for disposing of uncollected goods Status: CLOSED , closed 31 October 2019. Background The purpose of this review is to update the DUG Act’s provisions, which are outdated and do not take into account...
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...
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...
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%
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
The average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) is set to increase by over 32 cents per litre (cpl) to 160.2 cpl tomorrow, so FuelWatch is encouraging Perth drivers, if they can, to fill up today to save money. FuelWatch advises that on Wednesday 2 June 2021, most branded retailers are hiking their ULP price: Coles Express and Caltex/Ampol hiking by between 44-46 cpl up to 171.9 cpl; Caltex...
The State Government has approved four extra hours of trading for general retail shops in metropolitan Perth on each of the upcoming public holidays, Western Australia Day and the Queen’s Birthday. The extension to permitted opening times means general retail shops will be able to trade any time between 8am and 6pm on Monday 7 June 2021 (Western Australia Day) and Monday, 27 September 2021 (Queen...
Your wedding can be one of the happiest days of your life, but it may also end up being one of the most expensive. Covering the costs of all the things you need, such as a venue, catering, outfits and equipment hire, can soon add up – so it’s important to be across your consumer rights before you start shopping around. With more than 9,500 weddings taking place in Western Australia last year,...
The average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) is set to increase by over 31 cents per litre (cpl) to 158.4 cpl tomorrow, so FuelWatch is encouraging Perth drivers, if they can, to fill up today to save money. FuelWatch advises that on Wednesday 26 May 2021, most branded retailers are hiking their ULP price: Coles Express hiking by up to 44 cpl to 171.9 cpl; 7-Eleven, Caltex/Ampol and Caltex...
The Building and Construction Industry (Security of Payment) Bill 2021 to be introduced to Parliament today Improving security of payment across the WA building and construction industry is a priority of the McGowan Government The Bill was introduced in the last Parliament but stalled by the Liberals and Nationals The McGowan Government will introduce the Building and Construction Industry (...
Gary Newcombe returns to Commissioner's role Brings 40 years' experience working in the Commonwealth and State public sectors, and for the Western Australian Parliament Gary Newcombe has taken the baton to become Western Australia's new Commissioner for Consumer Protection. He replaces Lanie Chopping, who has been appointed as interim Director General for the Department of Local Government, Sport...
Sales rep failed to carry out checks that would have revealed sewer lines Land buyer forced to modify their building plans as a result of the late discovery Employer failed to be more thorough in their review of the matter A real estate sales representative and the Mt Lawley agency he works for have been fined a total of $9,000 by the State Administrative Tribunal for failing to uncover the...
Ten infringement notices of $1,000 and one for $4,000 issued to fuel outlets Discrepancies found in price reported to FuelWatch or on signboard Fuel retailers warned to report and display prices that match bowser price Infringement notices amounting to $14,000 have been issued by Consumer Protection to 11 fuel outlets in WA since 1 January 2020 over breaches of FuelWatch laws. Most of the...
Owing money and missing repayments can be stressful, so the last thing many people in financial difficulty need is to be charged more money for help getting their debt under control. That’s why Consumer Protection urges consumers to choose free debt management advice where possible over other high-cost options. While debt management service companies may claim to be able to fix debt problems,...
Building and Energy is advising property owners affected by the closure of the Pindan Group to immediately contact their home indemnity insurance (HII) provider, QBE Insurance (Australia) Ltd. Pindan Group entered external administration on Tuesday. The group includes four registered building contractors which carried out commercial, government-funded building projects and residential work:...
