A 25-year-old Cloverdale man has been fined $3,000 and had his painting registrations cancelled because they were granted based on incorrect or misleading information, including falsified references.

Building and Energy commenced disciplinary proceedings against Anwar Hussaini under WA’s building registration laws. The matter concluded at the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) in December 2019 with Mr Hussaini also ordered to pay $1,000 in costs.

According to agreed facts presented at the SAT, Mr Hussaini admitted he paid a third-party business to help prepare his application for painting practitioner registration.

To become registered, Mr Hussaini had to demonstrate a trade qualification and at least four years’ full-time painting experience. His application stated he had worked as a painter for a building company from 2011 to 2016.

The application also included references and letters supposedly written by a supervisor from the building company, a painting contractor and a co-worker named Ray Jackson. The application claimed that Mr Hussaini had worked alongside Ray Jackson for the painting contractor, who in turn was employed by the building company.

Mr Hussaini signed the application, declaring it to be true and correct. His painting practitioner registration was granted in March 2017 and he also obtained painting contractor registration a month later.

A Building and Energy investigation later revealed that, although the painting contractor and the building company were both real, neither the painting contractor nor the person listed as a building supervisor had ever worked for the building company.

It was also discovered that Ray Jackson was a fictitious identity. Emails sent by registration staff to Ray Jackson to confirm the facts of Mr Hussaini’s application were actually answered by staff at the third-party business.

Building and Energy A/Executive Director David Hillyard welcomed the SAT outcome.

“The registration system for building service providers is designed to provide assurances that the person carrying out the work is suitably qualified and experienced,” he said.

“Obtaining registration under false pretences undermines the system and the integrity of those who have worked hard and authentically obtained their registration.

“Safety, quality and compliance are paramount in the building services industry and we will continue to take action against anyone who uses false and misleading information.”

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Media contact: Sarah Roberts – 0466 409 828 (media queries only) or BEmedia@demirs.wa.gov.au

Painting practitioner registration allows a person to work as a nominated supervisor for a painting contractor. Only a registered painting contractor can enter into contracts for painting work valued at $1,000 or more. See the Building and Energy website for more information: https://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/building-and-energy/find-registered-painter