Consumer

Topics

All advertising should tell the truth about a product or service and allow consumers to make well-informed decisions. Advertising rules apply to advertising in all media – print, radio, television, electronic and outdoor. Consumers should not have to 'read between the lines'. This means that...
Store policies and sale practices
Stores may charge a fee for browsing, or trying on, products available for sale provided you are: advised of the fee beforehand; told how it will be calculated; and given any other relevant information. If the fee applies even if you decide to buy the product, the store should ensure this is...
Store policies and sale practices
You have accepted the conditions of entry into a store if a notice asking you to display the contents of your shopping bag is: clearly displayed visible before you enter the store. If you say ‘no’ to a bag search, the store manager may: ask you to leave. A store is private property, not a public...
Store policies and sale practices
If you break an item while shopping, a store may ask you to pay for it. The store is effectively making a claim for damages against you because they have lost the opportunity to sell the item at the retail price. This type of situation is not covered by the Australian Consumer Law. If the store has...
Store policies and sale practices
A company may become insolvent if it is unable to pay its debts when they are due. In some circumstances, an insolvent company may continue to trade, for example, under the supervision of an administrator appointed by the company. In other circumstances, the company's financial situation may not...
Your consumer rights
A seller must not accept payment for items if they: do not intend to supply the item; intend to supply something different from what you ordered; or know, or should have known, they would not be able to supply the item in a timely way. A seller that accepts payment for items must supply them:...
Refunds and returns
If you cannot prove where the product was purchased, the store or manufacturer is not obliged to accept your claim, but may still choose to do so. Original Packaging If a product does not meet a consumer guarantee the seller cannot refuse to give a refund, or reduce the amount of the refund,...
Refunds and returns
'No refunds’ signs are unlawful. A supplier or manufacturer must not tell you that a consumer guarantee : does not exist; may be excluded; or may not have a particular effect. Generally, you have a right to a refund when there is a major problem with something you bought. Stores cannot take away...
Refunds and returns
Generally, a store does not have to give a refund or replacement if a customer simply changes their mind about a product. Under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL), the customer is only entitled to choose a refund or replacement for a major problem with a product covered by consumer guarantees . For...
Refunds and returns
The type of remedy you can request can depend on whether it is a minor or major problem. Minor problems A minor problem can be fixed within a reasonable time. You must give the store the chance to fix the problem. They choose whether to refund, repair or replace. Major problems If there is a major...
Refunds and returns

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Publications

The following steps are recommended if you wish to appeal against an Inspector's Order issued to you by an Inspector (Electricity). Step one Contact the issuing inspector to clarify the issue...
Building and Energy
Information
30 Jul 2019
What should I do if I’m experiencing some delays on my contract? Record demand in the WA building industry over the past two years has put unprecedented pressure on builders, subcontractors, trades...
Building and Energy
Fact sheet
13 Aug 2019
Oil-insulated high voltage (HV) combined-fuse switches Order 02-2015 issued to all persons working on and owners and operators of oil-insulated high voltage combined-fuse switches Preliminary...
Building and Energy
Reports
19 Jul 2019
L & C fuse switches Order 01-2015 issued to all persons working on and owners and operators of Long and Crawford oil-insulated high voltage combined-fuse switches Preliminary Pursuant to s.18B of...
Building and Energy
Reports
19 Jul 2019
Helpful information about what are the safety considerations when buying or using a portable pool? Don't duck out. Make it safe. A guide for portable pool buyers In Australia, on average one child...
Consumer Protection
Fact sheet
20 Oct 2021
Choosing a buyer’s agent when buying residential property While you are probably familiar with real estate agents who represent a seller in a real estate transaction, you may not be so familiar with...
Consumer Protection
Fact sheet
10 Feb 2015
Building and Energy
Form – application
06 Jun 2017
Industry Bulletin 51 provides general guidance about building permit requirements under the Building Act 2011 and Building Regulations 2012 in relation to the installation of photovoltaic cells (solar panels) in Western Australia.
Building and Energy
Bulletin
19 Dec 2014
Energy Safety carried out an investigation into the cause of the bushfire in Parkerville and determined that the cause of the fire was a fallen private power pole that ignited ground vegetation. The...
Building and Energy
Reports
16 Dec 2022
Building and Energy
Form – application
24 Jul 2019

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Announcements

Balga man sells two vehicles online with incorrect odometer readings Fined $1,600 on each charge for false or misleading representations Seller had previously been prosecuted for unlicensed dealing An online car seller has been fined $3,200 by the Perth Magistrates Court for misleading two buyers by falsifying odometer readings. Wesam Hamed Mohammed of Balga was also ordered to pay costs of $682...
Consumer Protection
Media release
19 Apr 2023
Building and Energy is investigating polybutylene pipe failures in some new homes Affected consumers should contact their builder in the first instance Pipe manufacturer, Iplex Australia, has announced interim remedy arrangements Western Australia’s building and plumbing regulator is investigating the cause of water leaks from burst polybutylene pipes, which have mostly occurred in homes built in...
Building and Energy
Media release
18 Apr 2023
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 April 2023), the average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by 22 cents per litre (cpl)...
Consumer Protection
Media release
18 Apr 2023
Travelling conmen approach WA consumers and businesses uninvited Reports so far received from Perth, Goldfields and Great Southern areas These fake tradies do a dodgy job, take the money and run WA home and business owners are being warned to avoid dealing with a band of fake travelling tradies known as ‘bitumen bandits’ offering to re-surface driveways and car parks, but the standard of their...
Consumer Protection
Media release
18 Apr 2023
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 12 April 2023), the average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by 24 cents per litre (cpl)...
Consumer Protection
Media release
11 Apr 2023
Use portable gas appliances and generators outdoors ‘Soapy water test’ shows leaks from a gas cylinder, hose or connections Check extension cords and other electrical equipment for damage As families and friends get set for the Easter holidays, WA’s energy safety regulator is sharing its top tips for using gas and electrical appliances safely while camping and caravanning. Building and Energy...
Building and Energy
Media release
06 Apr 2023
Willetton man managed five properties over four years without holding a licence Tenancy bonds were collected but not lodged with the Bond Administrator Unlicensed operators undermine professional standards of the industry A Willetton property manager who operated without a licence and failed to lodge eight tenancy bonds with the Bond Administrator was fined a total of $18,000 by the Perth...
Consumer Protection
Media release
06 Apr 2023
They may well look like lollies to young eyes, but both button batteries and small high-powered magnets are capable of causing devastating internal injuries if swallowed. The dangers have been highlighted in recent news reports on two young children who were hospitalised after ingesting these incredibly hazardous items in separate incidents. Small high-powered magnets, which are promoted as shape...
Consumer Protection
Media release
06 Apr 2023
Unlicensed motor vehicle dealer to pay $10,000 fine and $682 in costs 19 vehicles were sold between May 2021 and May 2022 Consumers urged to report unlicensed motor vehicle dealers A man has been fined $10,000 by the Bunbury Magistrates Court for buying and selling motor vehicles without a valid motor vehicle dealer licence. Bradley Christopher Diable was also ordered to pay costs of $682 when...
Consumer Protection
Media release
04 Apr 2023
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 5 April 2023), the average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by 24 cents per litre (cpl) to...
Consumer Protection
Media release
04 Apr 2023

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