Western Australia’s laws about when children can work apply during both school terms and in school holidays. Children of compulsory school age are not permitted to work during the hours when the child is required to attend school (or otherwise participate in an educational program of school). There are restrictions on the type of job and working hours for children under 15 years of age. These...

On 1 February 2023, changes to the Building Services (Registration) Act 2011 enhance the powers of the Building Service Board to manage the commercial conduct and behaviour of registered building service providers. These changes relate to the following events that occur on or after this date. What are the changes? 1. Unpaid building service debts Individuals, partnerships and companies who have...

Kimberley flood victims being targeted by fake offers of financial relief from scammers Bogus charities popping up on social media to steal funds from intended recipients People urged to be on high alert and not respond impulsively to random messages People in flood-affected communities in the Kimberley are being warned by the McGowan Government to be on high alert as social media scams promising...

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 25 January 2023), the average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by 25 cents per litre (cpl...

Scammers have set up fake Instagram account leedal_foundation_limited The real Leedal Foundation Limited is raising funds for flood victims in Fitzoy Crossing on their Facebook fundraiser page Consumers urged to only donate to licensed charities or official fundraisers and not to respond to private messages Consumer Protection is warning consumers about scammers who are posing as a legitimate...

Higher penalties have been introduced for employers who contravene state employment laws or do not provide employees their legal employment entitlements. Under the new penalty provisions: maximum penalties for contravening an entitlement provision (for example, a provision of a WA award) have increased from $2,000 to $65,000 for bodies corporate and $13,000 for individuals maximum penalties for...

Real estate agent and his company fined a total of $6,500 Multiple unauthorised withdrawals from trust account over four months The money of the agency’s clients put at risk by violations of the law A Magistrate has told a former real estate agent that his clients’ money was put at risk by multiple unauthorised withdrawals from his agency’s trust account. Mohammad Samir Merzaie was fined $2,500...

Jackeroo J3PR35L three-way portable refrigerators, made in 2010, cannot be sold in WA Risk of dangerous carbon monoxide levels when operated on gas in an enclosed area All portable gas appliances must be used outdoors in the open air Owners of portable fridges are urged to check if their appliance is part of a gas safety sales ban in Western Australia due to carbon monoxide hazards. Jackeroo...

Strong demand results in 730% increase in complaints over five years Delivery delays for new models and sale of flood-affected used vehicles blamed Consumer Protection recovered $6 million for vehicle buyers in the past two years The number of consumer complaints relating to the sale of defective second-hand motor vehicles in WA has skyrocketed, increasing 730% over the past five years and...

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 11 January 2023), the average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by over 23 cents per litre...

Inflated UFC tickets contravening WA’s anti-ticket scalping laws may be cancelled Risk of refused entry to fans with tickets sold for more than ten per cent mark-up Advice for ticket holders who have purchased from unauthorised resellers Consumer Protection is again warning consumers who may have purchased inflated tickets from unauthorised resellers to the upcoming Ultimate Fighting Championship...

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...