Wageline has a range of resources in languages other than English to help employees resolve underpayments and report wage theft. The Report Wage Theft website at www.wagetheft.wa.gov.au has information in Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Italian, Korean, Vietnamese and English that assists Western Australian workers with how to: seek help with resolving an underpayment issue or...

The owner of a former Perth based labour hire business has been issued a significant penalty of $22,704 for underpaying an international student more than $31,000 over a two year period. Garth Douglas Smith, trading as Hi Ho Personnel, has been ordered to repay the employee, who worked as a casual storeperson, $31,396.94 in underpayments plus over $6,500 interest and a penalty of $22,704 plus...

The average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) is set to increase by over 28 cents per litre (cpl) to 167.5 cpl tomorrow, so FuelWatch is encouraging Perth drivers, if they can, to fill up today to save money. FuelWatch advises that on Wednesday 18 August 2021, most branded retailers are hiking their ULP price: Coles Express hiking by up to 41 cpl up to 178.9 cpl; BP up to 177.9 cpl; 7-Eleven...

A roofing company has been fined $450,000 (and ordered to pay $3056 in costs) after a roof plumber fell through a penetration on the construction site of the new Perth Museum. Charman Australia Pty Ltd pleaded guilty to failing to provide and maintain a safe workplace and, by that failure, causing serious harm to an employee, and was fined in the Perth Magistrates Court yesterday. Charman is one...

The Building Services Board has fined a Midland builder $5,000 after he allowed a business to include his registration details on contracts for projects that he was not involved with. At its July meeting, the Board found that Nermin Nezic – who is a registered building practitioner (BP101766) and a registered building contractor (BC101476) – engaged in misleading conduct under WA’s building...

Consumers make payments but goods or services not supplied Six consumers claim to be owed a total of almost $40,000 Trader has previously been prosecuted for failing to supply A second warning has been issued to consumers regarding an online Jeep parts and accessories dealer and vehicle builder who takes payments but fails to deliver the goods or services ordered either by phone or via a website...

Wageline has new resources for small business employers at www.dmirs.wa.gov.au/WA-employers to explain: the two systems of employment law that operate in Western Australia and how to determine which one covers your business; and where to find information on pay rates and employment obligations for your employees so that you comply with your legal obligations. Many small business employers in WA...

More than 3,000 Western Australians secure home buyers grant in 2020-21 Near record $6 million paid out to help people buy their first home Funds come from interest earned from the trust accounts of real estate agents A near record $6 million in Home Buyers Assistance Account (HBAA) grants were paid to first home buyers last financial year, helping more than 3,000 Western Australians to buy their...

Consumer complaints report treatments that went wrong A wide range of issues raised, including unexpected injury, pain and scars Research required to ensure operators are experienced and professional WA consumers are urged to exercise caution when seeking beauty and cosmetic treatment services, as botched procedures can result in injury, pain and long-term scarring. From 1 January to 30 June 2021...

The average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) is set to increase by over 30 cents per litre (cpl) to 169 cpl tomorrow, so FuelWatch is encouraging Perth drivers, if they can, to fill up today to save money. FuelWatch advises that on Wednesday 4 August 2021, most branded retailers are hiking their ULP price: BP hiking by up to 41 cpl up to 179.9 cpl; Coles Express up to 178.9 cpl; Caltex...

Dyes used to identify grades of petrol no longer required Transitional period of up to 12 months now in place Fuel performance not affected by the changes Motorists and fuel industry participants are being advised that dyes will no longer be required in all unleaded petrol grades in Australia, a change that took effect on 1 August 2021. In 2015/16 the removal of red/orange dye from ULP and E10...

Car trouble can strike at any time when you are out on the roads, so it’s important to be across your rights before a breakdown or an accident occurs to avoid being taken for a ride by tow truck operators. Following recent heavy rains, we heard from a number of motorists who broke down on flooded streets and allowed tow trucks to move their vehicles without ensuring a total price was included on...