Consumer

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A car’s odometer reading can indicate kilometres the car has actually travelled and whether the necessary checks, services and repairs have been carried out at the required times. A valid and correct odometer reading is necessary to maintaining the car’s mechanical safety. The odometer can be found...
Buying a vehicle or boat
From glossy brochures offering the chance to buy or even win amazing travel packages through to fake social media requests for help from friends and family, Western Australians receive their fair share of travel-related scams. The travel page covers general protections consumers have under the...
Travel
Travel costs can be varied and expensive. There are a few tips you should consider before purchasing the travel. Checking terms and conditions is essential in any travel package, accomodation or insurance. Costs Published travel costs are subject to change, even if you have paid a deposit. This is...
Travel
The Magistrates Court deals with disputes between consumers and traders with claims of up to $75,000. You can opt for a less formal, more private, process without the need for lawyers if your claim is less than $10,000. For claims over $10,000 the matter is dealt with in a court (with or without...
Formal complaints
Important notice Consumer Protection is currently experiencing a high level of demand for its conciliation services which will delay the progress of some complaints. Complaints may be queued and will be allocated in order of priority. If you haven’t done so already, please see the Consumer...
Formal complaints
In Western Australia and the Indian Ocean Territories, Consumer Protection attempts to settle property related disputes and complaints around retail goods or services purchased here, or from Australian retailers online. Priority is given to people who are at risk of harm, and issues that have the...
Formal complaints
You may find it useful to use this checklist and keep it with you when you make your complaint. You can also find out what happens when you make a complaint . The Department has produced fact sheets on the conciliation process and business tips for handling complaints . We recommend you have the...
Complaints
If talking it over doesn’t work, put it in writing. You may find it useful to use one of the sample letters below as a guide for writing a complaint letter. Useful complaint letter tool Visit the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) website for guidance on writing a complaint...
Complaints
Tips on how to approach an issue with a business or trader to get a mutually acceptable solution.
Complaints
Information about Building and Energy's Enforcement Branch.
Enforcement

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Publications

European House Borer (EHB) is a destructive pest of untreated, seasoned (dry), coniferous wood including pine, fir and spruce. This fact sheet provides information on what to look for and how to...
Building and Energy
Fact sheet
22 May 2014
Is your plumber licensed? Only plumbers who hold appropriate licences issued by the Plumbers Licensing Board (the Board) can legally carry out regulated plumbing work (water supply, sanitary and...
Building and Energy
Fact sheet
04 Dec 2023
The Building Regulations 2012 (the Regulations) in Western Australia require the owner of a dwelling to have compliant smoke alarms installed: i) prior to the sale or transfer of ownership of the...
Building and Energy
Fact sheet
02 Sep 2021
Drowning is the most common cause of preventable death of children aged 0–5 years. Over the past five years, 16 toddlers have drowned in Western Australia. For every drowning death, it is estimated...
Building and Energy
Guide / handbook
20 Oct 2016
If you are planning to have your roof restored by coating or painting, this fact sheet will guide you through the most common problem areas.
Building and Energy
Fact sheet
22 May 2014
When dealing with building disputes relating to a regulated building service, Building and Energy may require the parties to a complaint to provide further details about the complaint. These further...
Building and Energy
Guidance note
23 Jan 2019
The new 'Dividing fence matters' webpage provides general guidance on the Dividing Fences Act 1961 (the Act) and its interaction with local government by-laws in relation to the construction and...
Building and Energy
Brochure
04 Nov 2021
Using adjudication to resolve payment disputes Every day, individuals and organisations enter into contracts for building and construction work. Sometimes disputes arise over payment. The...
Building and Energy
Fact sheet
22 Jan 2019
This booklet provides a guide to each stage of building or renovating your home.
Building and Energy
Brochure
16 May 2014
This guide is provided to assist homeowners be aware of the regulated construction requirements and building standards for new homes and to assist those who wish to upgrade their existing homes for...
Building and Energy
Brochure
22 Oct 2015

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Announcements

Motorists in Perth and Mandurah are advised to fill up now if they need to, with petrol prices set to rise tomorrow. FuelWatch reports that, from 6am tomorrow (Wednesday 27 July 2022), the average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by over 23 cents per litre (cpl) to 186.5 cpl. Ampol, Caltex Woolworths and Coles Express hiking by up to 44 cpl up to 199.9 cpl; 7-Eleven up to 195...
Consumer Protection
Media release
26 Jul 2022
Further to the Government’s commitment to ensure consumers have resources to navigate the challenges in the building industry right now, Building and Energy has produced a short video as part of its education campaign. The video helps to explain the reasons for the current market conditions and what protections are in place to help. Watch the video here Other information available includes: A...
Building and Energy
Department News
25 Jul 2022
Moving house is widely considered to be one of life’s most stressful events, so we always urge consumers to choose their removalist carefully to avoid any extra drama on the day. Consumer Protection has recently received a growing number of complaints about the conduct of removalists advertising on social media. Initially the trader quotes an hourly rate and requests a small deposit, however upon...
Consumer Protection
Media release
21 Jul 2022
Puppies not delivered on agreed dates and deposits not returned Seven WA consumers still waiting for their money back after cancelling orders Consumers urged to buy existing puppies and not rely on breeding programs A consumer alert has been issued relating to the failure of a dog breeder to deliver within an agreed time and provide refunds requested by numerous customers. Consumer Protection has...
Consumer Protection
Media release
21 Jul 2022
Land valuer fined $4,000 for failing to meet accepted industry standards Inaccurate valuations have implications for buyers, sellers and tax purposes Maintaining standards is vital in upholding community confidence in the industry An Applecross land valuer has been reprimanded and fined $4,000 by the State Administrative Tribunal for failing to maintain basic industry standards when preparing...
Consumer Protection
Media release
20 Jul 2022
Investment, particularly cryptocurrency, scams make up almost half of losses in 2022 $4.1 million dollars were conned out of 71 WA investors so far this year Potential investors urged to first seek professional advice from a licensed advisor Investment scams mostly involving cryptocurrencies are driving a surge in losses reported by WA victims to record levels in 2022. These scams now represent...
Consumer Protection
Media release
18 Jul 2022
Babies can spend up to 17 hours a day sleeping, so it’s vital to ensure the place where they spend all this time resting is as safe as possible. As the range of infant sleeping products available in the Australian market continues to grow, leading medical and injury prevention experts, industry and regulators have developed a new best practice guide for the design of safe infant sleeping...
Consumer Protection
Media release
14 Jul 2022
Home owners left with defective, incomplete and unauthorised building work No nominated supervisor or building permits for some of the work $3,000 fine for breaches of WA’s builder registration laws The Building Services Board has fined a Success building company $3,000 for carrying out unauthorised, defective and inadequately supervised work during an outdoor renovation project in Stirling. The...
Building and Energy
Media release
14 Jul 2022
10-year-old received an electric shock while trying to fix a 240-volt tower fan Serious burns to both hands required skin grafts and ongoing treatment Discuss electrical safety with children and do not use damaged appliances A Perth mother and daughter are encouraging families to talk about electrical hazards after the 10-year-old received an electric shock and serious hand burns from a broken...
Building and Energy
Media release
12 Jul 2022
Motorists in Perth and Mandurah are advised to fill up now if they need to, with petrol prices set to rise tomorrow. FuelWatch reports that, from 6am tomorrow (Wednesday 13 July 2022), the average price of regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by over 20 cents per litre (cpl) to 209.7 cpl. 7-Eleven hiking by up to 38 cpl up to 225.9 cpl; Coles Express and Ampol up to 219.9 cpl; BP up to 217...
Consumer Protection
Media release
12 Jul 2022

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