Consumer

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Towing after an accident

It’s your choice You have the right to decide who tows your car and where it is towed – you don’t have to choose the first tow truck that arrives at the scene after an accident or breakdown. You can choose to have your car towed directly to a repairer, your home, or a storage yard. If possible,...
Servicing, repair and towing
17 Jun 2020

Earthing of lighting points and luminaires

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 (...
Electrical installations
14 May 2020

Open flue gas heater safety alert

WATCH
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...
Gas appliances
23 Apr 2020

Is your gas heater safe?

WATCH
Stay safe and warm this winter
Tickticktick2
Tickticktick2, by sgrove
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...
Gas appliances
23 Apr 2020

What is negative pressure?

WATCH
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...
Gas appliances
22 Apr 2020

Lithium-ion battery safety

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...
Electrical appliances
08 Apr 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

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

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Publications

BA8A – Notice of cessation – Multiple properties (building work)

READ
Current version of the Notice of cessation – Multiple properties (building work) form.
Building and Energy
Form – application
02 Sep 2021

Be in the know before you need a tow

READ
Print the PDF and keep it in your vehicle so you have it handy when you need it. Get prepared before being involved in a car accident or roadside breakdown situation. The first tow truck doesn’t have...
Consumer Protection
Fact sheet
04 Aug 2021

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 2023 - Nomination submission information

READ
This document provides essential information to assist you with your Work Health and Safety Excellence Awards submission. Further information 2023 Work Health and Safety Excellence Awards - Terms and...
WorkSafe
Information
28 Feb 2023

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

Pages

Announcements

Commissioner's Blog: Shops must act honestly on extended warranties

It’s a familiar scenario for many shoppers – you’re about to pay for a new car or appliance, then the salesperson tries to ‘upsell’ you with an extended warranty for things that may go wrong after the manufacturer’s warranty expires. As the end of financial year sales roll around, we want consumers to seriously question whether buying this type of insurance policy means paying for rights they...
Consumer Protection
Media release
05 Jul 2023

Major penalty for multiple building offences – The Carport Co Pty Ltd and Alan Benjamin Dickson

Almost $250,000 in fines, compensation and costs No builder registration for carport work in Cottesloe and Mount Pleasant Ignored official orders to rectify work in Alexander Heights and Mount Hawthorn A Perth tradesman and his company have been ordered to pay almost $250,000 in fines, compensation and costs after four property owners were left with unauthorised, defective or incomplete building...
Building and Energy
Media release
05 Jul 2023

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. 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 5 July 2023), the average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by 30 cents per litre (cpl) to...
Consumer Protection
Media release
04 Jul 2023

Commerce Minister media statement – Benefits to flow from plumbing reforms

Media statement from Hon Sue Ellery BA MLC, Minister for Commerce Expanded regulation of plumbing work to reduce risks to public health, safety and the environment Amended plumbing legislation will ensure adequate protections across Western Australia, including unmetered water supplies in regional areas Additional plumbing inspectors to enforce plumbing laws The State Government is ensuring all...
Building and Energy
Media release
30 Jun 2023

Button battery laws one year on are keeping children safe

43 per cent of button battery products inspected failed to meet product safety standards 19 Infringement Notices issued in WA Button battery emergency department presentations have halved in last two years 43 per cent of inspected products containing button batteries failed to meet product safety standards in Western Australia since mandatory button battery laws came into effect last year. The...
Consumer Protection
Media release
29 Jun 2023

Commissioner's Blog: Avoid tax-time scams

Ongoing cost of living pressures mean many Western Australians will be looking forward to receiving tax refunds, but the end of a financial year is also a time when scammers emerge with false promises of monetary windfalls. In a sign scammers are once again ramping up their tax-time efforts, our WA ScamNet team has received reports of a phishing email claiming to be from the Australian Tax Office...
Consumer Protection
Media release
28 Jun 2023

Guidance following Flexible Homes’ liquidation

Building and Energy is advising property owners affected by the liquidation of Flexible Homes Pty Ltd to contact their home indemnity insurance (HII) provider, QBE Insurance. The Perth building company appointed liquidators yesterday (27 June 2023). Building and Energy understands Flexible Homes was directly contracted for 19 building projects. Building and Energy Executive Director Saj...
Building and Energy
Media release
28 Jun 2023

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. 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 28 June 2023), the average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by over 28 cents per litre (...
Consumer Protection
Media release
27 Jun 2023

Pool fibreglass repairer fined for leaving owners out of pocket (Marcello “Marc” Maddaloni)

$8,000 fine for taking deposits and not completing pool repair work Three consumers paid deposits totalling $6,050 Public urged to only pay small deposits or make progress payments to reduce risk A swimming pool fibreglass repairer has been fined by the Perth Magistrates Court for breaching the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) by taking deposits from three consumers and failing to supply goods and...
Consumer Protection
Media release
27 Jun 2023

Electrician leaves live wires at new home – Aiden Dunstan

Exposed wiring in lounge room energised at a lethal voltage Electrician completed and signed a checklist for the electrical work $3,500 fine and almost $1,200 costs after prosecution by Building and Energy A Joondalup magistrate has condemned the “egregious error” of an electrician who missed hazardous exposed wires while checking work at a Two Rocks home. At Joondalup Magistrates Court on 9 June...
Building and Energy
Media release
27 Jun 2023

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