Home buyer / owner

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Overview for homeowners and home builders

The Building and Construction Industry (Security of Payment) Act 2021 (the Act) applies to certain types of contracts entered into between builders/contractors and homeowners for home building work. This ensures those working in the residential segment have access to the payment protections under...
Information on the Building and Construction Industry (Security of Payment) Act 2021
16 Jun 2022

Building a home in challenging times

The WA building industry is currently impacted by an Australia-wide shortage of building materials and skilled workers, which is affecting project timeframes and costs. This is not unique to WA and is happening across the world. A guide to building a home in challenging times Content on this...
Building a home in challenging times
17 May 2022

Residential building material and labour shortages

The current, Australia-wide shortage of building materials and skilled trades is impacting the residential construction industry in Western Australia. Supply of building materials has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and increased building activity following the State and Federal stimulus...
Building a home in challenging times
17 May 2022

Price increases to home building work contracts

This information relates to home building work contracts that fall within the scope of the Home Building Contracts Act 1991 (the Act) – that is, contracts for home building work valued between $7,500 and $500,000. The Act sets out the minimum contract terms and provides circumstances when a builder...
Building a home in challenging times
17 May 2022

Complaints about bullying, sexual assault or harassment

WorkSafe takes a systems based approach to the prevention of inappropriate workplace behaviours, such as bullying, harassment (including sexual harassment ) and workplace violence/aggression (including sexual assault ). If a breach is identified, WorkSafe may issue the employer an improvement...
Ask a question or make a complaint
22 Mar 2022

Renting or hiring a house or apartment – Gas

Renting or hiring a house or apartment Important electrical and gas safety information you need to know before you rent or hire a property. Renting or hiring a house or apartment fact sheet – Electrical and gas If you rent or hire a home or apartment, your landlord has a duty under electrical and...
Gas installations
10 Dec 2021

Renting or hiring a house or apartment – Electrical

Renting or hiring a house or apartment. Important electrical and gas safety information you need to know before you rent or hire a property.
Electrical installations
10 Dec 2021

Dividing fence matters – overview

WATCH
This webpage provides general guidance on the Dividing Fences Act 1961 (the Act) and its interaction with local government by-laws in relation to the construction and maintenance of dividing fences in Western Australia. The Act provides a process for sharing costs between neighbours, the...
Dividing fences
23 Jul 2021

Process E: Repairing an existing fence where damage is caused by a natural act or by one owner’s actions

Damage caused by one neighbour Situations may arise where you consider that your neighbour or neighbours should be responsible for paying the entire repair of the fence because it has been damaged by their actions or inaction. The Act only recognises a limited set of circumstances where an...
Dividing fences
23 Jul 2021

Process D: Repairing an existing fence

Step one: Negotiate with your neighbour An agreement between neighbours has priority over the requirements of the Act so it is best to approach the owner of the adjoining land first. The Act does not specify the requirements for obtaining quotes, however, having quotes and a clear understanding of...
Dividing fences
23 Jul 2021

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Publications

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

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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

Clean up after cyclones, storms or floods - information sheet

READ
It's important for employers and workers to be prepared for the risks associated with cleaning up after a natural disaster. This publication has important health and safety information for cleaning...
WorkSafe
Information
05 Jan 2023

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

Building Focus – Issue 3

READ
Welcome to the third issue of the 'Building Focus' newsletter. Building Focus brings you the latest news for the building, building surveying and painting industries.
Building and Energy
Newsletter
24 Jul 2020

Compliance report: A summary of technical building inspections 2018–19

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Building and Energy
Reports
15 Jul 2020

Mentally healthy workplaces: Podcasts and videos

LISTEN
The WorkSafe mental health and wellbeing inspectors have developed a series of resources on workplace mental health and wellbeing. The concepts presented may assist workplaces to discuss, consult,...
WorkSafe
Information
06 Jun 2023

Advisory letter - Earthing of lighting points and luminaires

READ
This advisory letter is issued by the electrical contractor or electrician to the owner or occupier.
Building and Energy
Advisory note
14 May 2020

Pages

Announcements

Digital Identity and WARAM Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) available

Two new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) sheets are now available. The new FAQs cover digital identity and the WA Relationship Authorisation Manager (WARAM). The My Account FAQ has also been updated. The FAQs provide answers to common questions such as: What is a digital identity and why we need to protect it? What is the WARAM and how can it benefit our customers and their business ? Both new...
Corporate
Department News
29 Sep 2022

Commissioner's Blog: Shining a light on solar complaints

As one of the world’s sunniest landscapes, Western Australia is home to a booming rooftop solar industry that shows little sign of slowing down as many households look to address rising power bills and reduce pollution. More than 400,000 WA homes and businesses, or around 36 per cent of customers, are estimated to have rooftop solar connected to WA's main grid, with that figure predicted to swell...
Consumer Protection
Media release
15 Sep 2022

Spring into action by testing RCDs

Residual current devices (RCDs) should be tested at the start of each season Life-saving switches protect against electrocution, serious injury and fire Simple test only takes a few minutes and could save a life With a new season underway, the State’s energy safety regulator is urging home owners to do a simple check of their residual current devices (RCDs) – the life-saving switches that protect...
Building and Energy
Media release
06 Sep 2022

Commissioner's blog: Buying property 'off-the-plan' in challenging times

The collapse of building projects across Australia, including Perth, highlights the risks of buying property “off-the-plan” at a challenging time for the building industry. Buying a home or investment property is exciting, but off-the-plan developments can be delayed years, or never proceed, as builders face trades and materials shortages, soaring construction costs and delays exacerbated by the...
Consumer Protection
Media release
24 Aug 2022

SAT penalty for Fremantle builder – Craig Dickson Bailey

Several areas of renovation work deviated from building permit approved plans Balustrade safety barrier not installed, creating a fall risk Penalty includes $5,000 fine and compulsory construction management course A Fremantle builder has been fined $5,000 and ordered to do additional training after carrying out unauthorised home building work and failing to install a verandah safety barrier. The...
Building and Energy
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

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

$70,000 fine for building directors’ fraudulent and deceptive conduct – Sinyeen Michelle Kua and Darian Paul Bolton of Western Australian Construction Pty Ltd

Directors admit to sourcing and providing fake insurance certificates, falsely representing a project value and failing to ensure oversight of building services State Administrative Tribunal orders global fines of $35,000 each Western Australian Construction Pty Ltd entered administration in 2020 Two former building company directors have been fined a total of $70,000 after admitting to forging...
Building and Energy
Media release
16 Jun 2022

Building and Energy’s top 10 winter safety tips

As we enter the winter months, with cold and stormy weather on our doorstep, it’s important to keep yourself and your family not only warm but safe by considering Building and Energy’s top safety tips. “The new season acts as reminder to check your electrical and gas appliances before using them, be conscious of extra mould growth, and ensure your property is rain, hail and wind prepared,”...
Building and Energy
Media release
14 Jun 2022

New resources to help navigate home building challenges

WA building sector impacted by worldwide shortages and rising costs Information for consumers facing delays, cost increases and other challenges Resources available at the Building and Energy website (dmirs.wa.gov.au) WA’s building regulator has developed helpful information to assist consumers affected by current challenges in the home building sector, including impacts on project timeframes and...
Building and Energy
Media release
26 May 2022

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