Western Australian electrical safety regulations require all lighting points to have earth protection using a conductor connected to the main earth of the building’s electrical installation. The earthing conductor must be connected to a suitably robust earthing terminal of the lighting point (...
A national safety alert has been issued for several open-flued gas heaters that, under certain circumstances, may produce too much carbon monoxide – potentially causing serious health risks to users. Building and Energy is urging owners of these gas heaters to stop using them immediately. The...
You can’t see it or smell it. But while your gas heater is running, poisonous carbon monoxide could be spilling into your home. Unserviced gas heaters can spill carbon monoxide (CO) – a gas that you can’t see or smell but can make...
Safety advice for using open flued gas space heaters Negative pressure can occur when there is not enough ventilation in a home and an exhaust fan or range hood is operating. If an open flued gas space heater is operating at the same time as an exhaust fan, it may cause the gas heater to...
Building and Energy encourages Western Australians to take simple steps to protect themselves against home fires as more people purchase and use equipment and devices with lithium-ion batteries. The following information will help consumers avoid the fire risk while enjoying the undoubted...
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. The Australian...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Publications last updated 7 October 2020. The Fair Trading (Prepaid Funerals Code of Practice) Regulations 2020 (the code) is a new mandatory code of practice for Western Australia's prepaid funeral...
This handy fire and emergency information publication can be customised with details specific to your short-term rental. Print the completed document and leave in a convenient place for your guests.
A person may make a complaint to the Plumbing Inspectorate of Building and Energy that may warrant an inspection or investigation for a potential legislative or plumbing standard breach of the...
Urgent Samsung top loader washing machine safety recall Samsung top loader washing machines which have been recalled remain in WA homes, potentially creating a serious fire hazard that puts lives at...
Why are reforms being considered? Following a vehicle accident, drivers can easily be taken advantage of as they are often highly vulnerable and in shock. Serious concerns about the accident towing...
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...
New fitness code published The Fair Trading (Fitness Industry Code) Regulations 2020 (WA) (that contain the new Fitness Industry Code) were published on 29 September 2020. This mandatory code comes...
The Guidelines for the safety of buildings near network operator assets are issued under Section 33AA of the Electricity Act 1945 . The risks and potential consequences of an electrical incident...
With Christmas over for another year, many children are happily enjoying their new gifts. While it is always exciting for children to receive fun gifts to play with, they may pose some safety risks, so it is a timely reminder for parents to be aware of key safety issues with some products. Button or coin batteries are found in many toys and novelty gifts that produce light and sound effects, but...
Motorists in Perth and Mandurah are advised to fill up now if they need to, with petrol prices set to rise tomorrow. Over the past few weeks, the pattern of petrol pricing by the major fuel companies shows a full return to weekly price cycles. 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...
Motorists in Perth and Mandurah are advised to fill up now if they need to, with petrol prices set to rise tomorrow. After today it is likely motorists will have to wait for two weeks before petrol prices are again at the bottom of the price cycle. FuelWatch reports that, from 6am tomorrow (Wednesday 28 December 2022), the average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by 23 cents...
Repairer ordered by SAT to pay total of $4,676 in fines and costs Failed to provide a police clearance as required by certificate condition Also failed to advise changes of address as required by law Failing to comply with a condition attached to his certificate has resulted in a $3,000 fine and a reprimand for a Perth motor vehicle repairer. The fine was imposed by the State Administrative...
Unlicensed motor vehicle repairer to pay $2,000 fine and $566 in costs Repairer advertised services via Facebook and a website Consumers urged to do licence checks before engaging repairers An Ellenbrook motor vehicle repairer has been fined $2,000 by the Perth Magistrates Court for carrying out mobile mechanical repairs without a licence. Victor James Wright was also ordered to pay costs of $566...
Electric scooters, skateboards and hoverboards will no doubt appear under many Christmas trees this year, however there’s a very good reason why families should avoid buying eRideables as gifts for their children this festive season. While they may be an increasingly popular and fun way to get around, the reality is that eRideables are not toys and they are capable of causing very serious...
Consumer guarantees kick in if gift is faulty, unsafe or not as advertised ‘Change of mind’ not covered by the law, subject to the store’s returns policy Redeem gift cards as soon as possible in case retailer goes out of business WA consumers are being reminded about their rights should Christmas joy turn to disappointment when gifts end up being faulty, unsafe or not as described. In these...
LED String Fairy Lights Net Mesh does not comply with electrical safety standards Buyers of this product must discontinue use and unplug immediately One consumer has reported an electrical shock injury needing hospital treatment Consumers are being urgently warned about dangerous Christmas lights that have caused an electric shock injury and are believed to have been sold recently in WA. In a...
A new entrant into Perth’s fuel market has topped the list of the cheapest non-membership outlets in the Perth metropolitan area for 2022, in a year when high fuel prices broke all-time records. Atlas Fuel Kwinana offered Perth drivers an average price for regular unleaded petrol (ULP) of 165.7 cents per litre (cpl) throughout the year. The nearby Vibe Kwinana OPT came in second with 166 cpl and...
With the warm summer months upon us, many families will spend more time outdoors and around water, so it is important to be aware of the risks to keep safe while having fun in the sun. Sadly 339 people have lost their lives to drowning in Australia this year, according to figures from Royal Life Saving Australia. Rivers and creeks accounted for 34 per cent of all drowning deaths, followed by...
