Home indemnity insurance is compulsory for home building work valued at $20,000 or more Confirm the builder has an HII policy for your project before paying deposits HII offers financial protection for incomplete or defective work in certain situations WA’s building regulator is urging home building clients not pay deposits without seeing evidence that the builder has a home indemnity insurance (...

Furniture can look like a playground to young eyes, which is why it is so important for parents and carers to be aware of the dangers and take steps to minimise the risks. Toppling furniture and appliances kill an average of one child every year in Australia, with many others also suffering injuries, including brain damage and broken bones. Here in WA, a one-year-old girl tragically died when a...

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 23 February 2022), the average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by over 25...

In 2021, Private Sector Labour Relations industrial inspectors helped employees to recover more than $990,000 in unpaid wages and leave entitlements. A total of 251 complaints were conciliated and investigated by industrial inspectors which resulted in the recovery of $591,013 for employees. Other underpayments were recovered through proactive compliance audit campaigns in the café and restaurant...

68 vehicles deemed unfit for sale by automotive inspectors in 2021 Defects mostly related to tyres, windscreens and seatbelts Buyers urged to get a mechanical inspection before purchase Automotive officers from Consumer Protection prevented 68 unroadworthy motor vehicles from being sold in 2021, helping to protect buyers and other road users in WA. Random inspections are regularly carried out at...

The Public and Bank Holidays Act 1972 , which specifies public holidays for WA, was amended by the Industrial Relations Legislation Amendment Act 2021 (IRLA Act) to make Easter Sunday a public holiday. The Easter Sunday provisions in the IRLA Act commenced on 12 February 2022. For employers and employees in the state industrial relations system, the Minimum Conditions of Employment Act 1993 has...

The state Metal Trades (General) Award has been updated by the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission (WAIRC) and Wageline has published a new WA award summary for the Metal Trades (General) Award at www.dmirs.wa.gov.au/awardsummaries The award variation is effective from the first pay period on or after 9 February 2022. The award variation has not changed adult or junior pay rates in...

WorkSafe is investigating the work-related death of an 89-year-old farmer at Berkshire Valley – 200km north of Perth – late on Tuesday. The farmer was reported to have been unloading hay from a tractor when the vehicle slipped into gear and rolled, striking him. WorkSafe investigators examine the circumstances of incidents with a view to ensuring compliance and preventing future incidents of a...

Perth’s rental market might be tight right now, but that doesn’t mean tenants should accept living in a home that’s falling into disrepair, nor tolerate surprise visits by their landlords. Unfortunately we have received an increased number of complaints about both scenarios. In 2021, Consumer Protection received 188 complaints relating to repair and maintenance issues and 29 complaints about...

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 9 February 2022), the average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by 25 cents...

WA ScamNet reports more than 1,000 victims lost $14.8 million last year Most money lost from investment and romance scams Highest number of scam victims was online shoppers A record number of Western Australians fell victim to scams in 2021, also losing a record amount of money. In its 2021 Year in Review Scam Report, WA ScamNet at Consumer Protection reveals that 1,041 victims, an increase of 10...

Essential electrical safety component (MEN) not installed, putting users at risk Electrician did not carry out mandatory checks and tests $15,000 fine for company and $5,000 fine for electrical worker The State Government energy safety regulator is warning electricians not to cut corners when checking their work after a Padbury building site was left unprotected against electrical hazards for...