Consumer

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Towing after an accident

It’s your choice You have the right to decide who tows your car and where it is towed – you don’t have to choose the first tow truck that arrives at the scene after an accident or breakdown. You can choose to have your car towed directly to a repairer, your home, or a storage yard. If possible,...
Servicing, repair and towing
17 Jun 2020

Earthing of lighting points and luminaires

Western Australian electrical safety regulations require all lighting points to have earth protection using a conductor connected to the main earth of the building’s electrical installation. The earthing conductor must be connected to a suitably robust earthing terminal of the lighting point (...
Electrical installations
14 May 2020

Open flue gas heater safety alert

WATCH
A national safety alert has been issued for several open-flued gas heaters that, under certain circumstances, may produce too much carbon monoxide – potentially causing serious health risks to users. Building and Energy is urging owners of these gas heaters to stop using them immediately. The...
Gas appliances
23 Apr 2020

Is your gas heater safe?

WATCH
Stay safe and warm this winter
Tickticktick2
Tickticktick2, by sgrove
You can’t see it or smell it. But while your gas heater is running, poisonous carbon monoxide could be spilling into your home. Unserviced gas heaters can spill carbon monoxide (CO) – a gas that you can’t see or smell but can make...
Gas appliances
23 Apr 2020

What is negative pressure?

WATCH
Safety advice for using open flued gas space heaters Negative pressure can occur when there is not enough ventilation in a home and an exhaust fan or range hood is operating. If an open flued gas space heater is operating at the same time as an exhaust fan, it may cause the gas heater to...
Gas appliances
22 Apr 2020

Lithium-ion battery safety

Building and Energy encourages Western Australians to take simple steps to protect themselves against home fires as more people purchase and use equipment and devices with lithium-ion batteries. The following information will help consumers avoid the fire risk while enjoying the undoubted...
Electrical appliances
08 Apr 2020

Restaurant surcharges

Restaurants and cafes that charge a surcharge on certain days do not need to provide a separate menu. However, the menu or pricing display must include wording that ‘a surcharge of [percentage] applies on [the specified day or days]’ . This statement must be displayed in a transparent and prominent...
Store policies and sale practices
12 Nov 2019

Quad bikes

WATCH
A quad bike (also known as an all-terrain vehicle or ATV) is an off-road motorised vehicle travels on four wheels has a seat which is designed to be straddled by the rider handlebars for steering control. can have a combustion or electric engine are not all terrain vehicles. Risks and injuries Quad...
Product safety for consumers
23 Oct 2019

Regional Services Review Consultation Paper September 2019

Status: CLOSED, Submissions closed at 5pm on 28 October 2019 Background In late 2018, the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) commenced a Regional Services Review to improve service delivery to our regional customers. DMIRS staff and State and Local Government stakeholders...
Consultations
24 Sep 2019

Review of the Disposal of Uncollected Goods Act 2019

The Disposal of Uncollected Goods Act 1970 (DUG Act) is being reviewed to examine the processes for disposing of uncollected goods Status: CLOSED , closed 31 October 2019. Background The purpose of this review is to update the DUG Act’s provisions, which are outdated and do not take into account...
Consultations
26 Jun 2019

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Publications

Consultation Regulatory Impact Statement: Review of the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act 1973 and the Motor Vehicle Repairers Act 2003

READ
This paper represents the second stage of the review of the laws applying to motor vehicle dealers and motor vehicle repairers operating in Western Australia and will pave the way for establishing...
Consumer Protection
Consultations / public comment
10 Mar 2022

Retirement Villages Legislation Reform - Western Australian Treasury Corporation Report

READ
Important Please read the Western Australian Treasury Corporation (WATC) Disclaimer, WATC IP Statement and DMIRS Statement below. Introduction The Western Australian Treasury Corporation (WATC)...
Consumer Protection
Reports
04 Dec 2023

Managing COVID-19 risks in the workplace

READ
Employers (or persons conducting a business or undertaking) have a duty under OSH or WHS legislation to eliminate, or if that is not reasonable practicable, minimise the risks of COVID-19 at the...
WorkSafe
Information
18 Feb 2022

Accident towing industry consultation report

READ
The Consultation Report summarises the outcome of public consultation undertaken by Consumer Protection in August 2020. The consultation sought stakeholders’ views about the need for industry reforms...
Consumer Protection
Reports
24 Feb 2022

Associations Incorporation Act review 2022

READ
Important Please note, this discussion paper was amended on 29 March 2022 to rectify an error on page 9 of the paper that stated that 90% of associations fall within the Tier 1 financial reporting...
Consumer Protection
Discussion paper
05 Apr 2022

Cost of cancelling a contract to buy a car

READ
If you sign a contract to buy a car and need to cancel the agreement after signing, the maximum amount a motor vehicle dealer may charge for the sale not going ahead is up to five per cent of the...
Consumer Protection
Flyers
14 Aug 2024

Button batteries flyer

READWATCH
Button batteries can be a deadly hazard. If swallowed, button batteries can cause internal burns, severe bleeding and even death.
Button battery flyer header
Button battery flyer header , by Consumer Protection
What to do if a battery is...
Consumer Protection
Flyers
27 Mar 2023

General Inspection (Snapshot) Report six – Waterproofing wet areas

READ
Building and Energy undertook a snapshot general inspection into waterproofing systems in wet areas in. The outcome of this is presented in GIR6. The objective of GIR6 was to determine if...
Building and Energy
Reports
13 Dec 2021

Operators and residents of residential parks and lifestyle villages: changes are on the way

READ
Operators and residents of residential parks and lifestyle villages Changes are on the way! From 31 January 2022, changes to the Residential Parks legislation take place. This will affect your...
Consumer Protection
Brochure
10 Dec 2021

Local government’s four yearly inspections of private swimming pool safety barriers 2020-21

READ
Progress report on local government’s four yearly inspections of private swimming pool safety barriers 2020-21. This Report is the third annual report on the progress of local governments’ pool inspection programs and is in response to recommendation 7 of the Ombudsman WA report Investigation into ways to prevent or reduce deaths of children by drowning , tabled in Parliament on 23 November 2017.
Building and Energy
Reports
02 Dec 2021

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Announcements

Alert to Perth motorists - fill up now to beat the petrol price rise

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 31 July 2024), the average price of Perth’s regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by over 34 cents per...
Consumer Protection
Media release
30 Jul 2024

$45,000 in fines for unlicensed electrical work - Draco Air Pty Ltd

Unlicensed electrical work carried out in Northam has led to fines totalling $45,000 against a local air-conditioning company and one of its employees. Following prosecutions by Building and Energy, separate cases were heard at Midland Magistrates Court against Draco Air Pty Ltd and a refrigeration and air-conditioning (R&AC) technician. The courts were told the technician did not hold any...
Building and Energy
Media release
30 Jul 2024

Commissioner's Blog: Tax time scams - don't fall for the phishing bait

While you might be smart enough to get your tax return in early, no one is too smart to be scammed. Consumer Protection is warning Western Australians to be alert to tax scams, which are most prevalent around this time of year. And they’re easy to fall for because you’re already expecting some communication from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) or myGov about your tax. Last financial year...
Consumer Protection
Media release
29 Jul 2024

Repeat offender fined for illegal car dealing, odometer wind-back

Stirling man cops $33,000 fine for unlicensed car dealing and odometer tampering Used aliases and impersonated previous owners to avoid getting caught Second time Consumer Protection has taken offender to court An unlicensed car dealer who erased more than 700,000 kilometres from the odometer readings of nine vehicles has been convicted and fined $33,000 by the Perth Magistrates Court. Jacob...
Consumer Protection
Media release
24 Jul 2024

Alert to Perth motorists - fill up now to beat the petrol price rise

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 24 July 2024), the average price of Perth’s regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by over 33 cents per...
Consumer Protection
Media release
23 Jul 2024

Safety first to prevent toppling tragedies

Buying new furniture can be exciting, but it’s important to install your new item, securely, to prevent it from toppling over and causing serious injury or even death. Furniture, such as chests of drawers, wardrobes, bookcases, cabinets, TV or entertainment units or other tall items, can pose serious risks and potentially tragic outcomes. Young children, especially, can try to climb on, or pull...
Consumer Protection
Media release
19 Jul 2024

Fencer fined after giving customers the ‘royal runaround’

A Pinjarra tradesman who took upfront deposits for fencing jobs but failed to carry out the work has been fined by the Armadale Magistrates Court, following action from Consumer Protection.
Consumer Protection
Media release
18 Jul 2024

Alert to Perth motorists - fill up now to beat the petrol price rise

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 17 July 2024), the average price of Perth’s regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by over 32 cents per...
Consumer Protection
Media release
16 Jul 2024

Commissioner's Blog: Extended warranties warrant your investigation

Our TV screens, in-boxes and devices have been overflowing with End of Financial Year (EOFY) sales pitches – and you might be one of the thousands of people who snapped up a bargain-priced home appliance or some new furniture. But did you also agree to buy an ‘extended warranty’ on your purchase? Extended warranties are often sold to consumers by retailers as an added ‘peace of mind’ to cover...
Consumer Protection
Media release
16 Jul 2024

Second registration refusal for builder – Atalla Abbas trading as Consbuild Developments

The Building Services Board has refused to renew the building contractor registration of Atalla Abbas (BC101011, expired), trading as Consbuild Developments , on financial grounds. The Board’s decision follows a similar ruling in March against Mr Abbas’ other building contractor business, Beyond Builders Pty Ltd (BC103289, expired). In both cases, the Board was not satisfied the applicants met...
Building and Energy
Media release
12 Jul 2024

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