Industrial inspectors from Private Sector Labour Relations (PSLR) recovered $548,817 on behalf of employees in the 2023/24 financial year. This figure comes from proactive compliance activities undertaken by PSLR inspectors and underpayment complaints made to PSLR by employees. In the last 12 months, industrial inspectors conducted 102 proactive inspections which recovered more than $150,000 on...

The cooler weather has finally arrived and this usually means staying warm by using products like heaters, wheat/heat packs, hot water bottles and electric blankets, or even sitting near a cosy fire. Consumer Protection is reminding people there are safety risks with many winter products and if not careful, they could pose a fire hazard to your home. Winter is also a time to be aware of mould in...

There will be major changes to the state Hairdressers Award later in 2024, as this WA award is being updated by the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission (WAIRC). In mid-June 2024 the WAIRC issued an Order, which has not yet commenced , to vary the provisions of the award. It is anticipated that the scope of the Hairdressers Award will also be varied to extend coverage of the award...

The Building Commissioner is reminding WA consumers that only registered painting contractors can legally carry out paid painting work valued at $1,000 or more. The message follows Building and Energy’s prosecution of a Mandurah tradesman who was fined $3,500 and ordered to pay more than $500 in costs for working without the required painter registration, which he had not held for six years...

An increase to WA award pay rates and the state minimum wage is effective from today, with employers obligated to pay the new rates from the first full pay period on after 1 July 2024. The state minimum wage for employees 21 and over will increase to $918.60 per week. Minimum rates for younger workers and award free trainees and apprentices will also increase. Rates of pay in WA awards will...

Nerve damage, scarring, pain, burns, infections and psychological trauma. No, this isn’t about medical negligence, it’s about injuries received from beauty and cosmetic treatments. How would you feel if a simple trip to get your eyelashes looking lush for an event ends with red, infected eyes and a course of antibiotics, or your first session of laser hair or tattoo removal results in painful...

As a national ban on engineered stone approaches, Consumer Protection is urging affected homeowners to be aware of their rights and avoid signing new contracts to have the product installed. From 1 July 2024, the supply or installation of engineered stone – commonly used to make kitchen and bathroom benchtops – will be banned in all states across Australia to protect workers from the risks of silicosis, an irreversible lung disease.

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 26 June 2024), the average price of Perth’s regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by over 36 cents per...

A former building supervisor has been fined $40,000 and stripped of his building practitioner registration after admitting to multiple disciplinary matters affecting the construction of two Perth homes. Muhammad Salman (BP103029, cancelled) is the former nominated supervisor of Kewdale-based Kulowall Construction Pty Ltd trading as Opus Homes , which entered liquidation in February 2024. A...

A campaign is providing a stark reminder of the potentially lethal dangers of DIY electrical or gas fitting work, which must always be carried out by a licensed professional. Radio, social media and video messages from Building and Energy highlight the similarity between DIY and DIE to discourage unlicensed people from attempting this work, which has led to several deaths and near-misses in WA. “...

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 19 June 2024), the average price of Perth’s regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by 35 cents per litre...