Consumer

Topics

State-wide cladding audit

Between July 2017 and June 2019, the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety’s Building and Energy division coordinated Western Australia’s State-wide Cladding Audit. The audit was part of an Australia-wide initiative to check the cladding on high-risk buildings following the...
Compliance and audit
14 Aug 2017

Recent developments in non-conforming building products

What is being done nationally On 23 June 2015, the Australian Senate referred the issue of non-conforming building products to the Senate Economics Reference Committee. The Committee released its interim report ‘Safety – not a matter of good luck’ on 4 May 2016. The Senate Committee is due to hand...
Non-conforming building products
11 May 2017

Non-conforming building products

Background information Non-conforming building products (NCBPs) are products and materials that: claim to be something they are not; do not meet required standards for their intended use; or are marketed or supplied with the intent to deceive those who use them. For example a building product that...
Non-conforming building products
11 May 2017

Ticket scalping and reselling

WATCH
Event tickets can be bought and sold either directly (ie. word-of-mouth, Facebook, Gumtree) or through ticket reselling websites. However in WA, specific laws aim to prevent would-be-purchasers from paying more than a 10 percent mark- up and to prosecute ticket scalpers. Information on ticket...
Your consumer rights
30 Mar 2017

Commissioner for Consumer Protection

WATCH
Patricia Blake January 2023 - Current Patricia Blake (known as Trish) became Commissioner for Consumer Protection and Executive Director for Consumer Protection in January 2023. Prior to becoming Commissioner Trish has been the Director of Retail and Services within Consumer Protection and worked...
About us
29 Mar 2017

Building and Energy presentation videos

Videos and presentations Security of payment The Building and Construction Industry (Security of Payment) Act 2021 (Act) provides important payment protections for all participants in the Western Australian building and construction industry (some exclusions apply). It applies to construction...
BC videos
20 Mar 2017

Inflatable air lounges

WATCH
Inflatable air lounges are a drowning risk if used on water. While some retailers selling this product may suggest they can be used on water, there may be a risk of unexpected deflation and we strongly recommend they are only used on dry land. These lounges should not be used on any water body (...
Product safety for consumers
16 Feb 2017

Tipping hazards in the home

Furniture Stability From a toddler’s point of view, home looks like a big playground. They don’t recognise the dangers. The trouble is that most parents don’t recognise the dangers either. Unstable furniture can tip over when a child climbs or pulls on it. This can cause serious injuries if it...
Product safety for consumers
18 Jan 2017

Ethanol burners (Decorative alcohol fuelled burners)

Portable decorative ethanol burners designed for table-top use are the subject of an interim product safety ban.
Product safety for consumers
20 Dec 2016

Auction sales reform

Status: CLOSED 15 April 2017 A review of the laws covering the licensing and conduct of auctioneers in WA was conducted in 2017 and is now complete. Review purpose The purpose of the review was to assess the Act’s relevance and appropriateness in meeting current and future consumer and industry...
Consultations
15 Dec 2016

Pages

Publications

Decision Regulatory Impact Statement: The regulation of the fitness industry in Western Australia

READ
New fitness code published The Fair Trading (Fitness Industry Code) Regulations 2020 (WA) (that contain the new Fitness Industry Code) were published on 29 September 2020. This mandatory code comes...
Consumer Protection
Reports
16 Oct 2020

Guidelines for the safety of buildings near network operator assets

READ
The Guidelines for the safety of buildings near network operator assets are issued under Section 33AA of the Electricity Act 1945 . The risks and potential consequences of an electrical incident...
Building and Energy
Guide / handbook
18 Aug 2022

COVID-19 pandemic scam warning

READ
Scammers are using the pandemic to take advantage. Don’t be tricked!
Consumer Protection
Flyers
12 Jun 2020

General Inspection Report Three – Bush fire building requirements in Western Australia

READ
The objective of this general inspection was to determine if new residential buildings (dwellings) in designated bush fire prone areas are adequately meeting the bush fire building requirements of...
Building and Energy
Reports
03 Jun 2020

Building and Energy complaint form

READ
Use this PDF version of the complaint form to make a complaint to the department about a regulated building service or a home building work contract if you intend to print and submit a hard copy...
Building and Energy
Form – application
03 Aug 2022

Advisory letter - Earthing of lighting points and luminaires

READ
This advisory letter is issued by the electrical contractor or electrician to the owner or occupier.
Building and Energy
Advisory note
14 May 2020

Quad bike safety standard poster

READWATCH
The quad bike safety standard poster highlights the key requirements of the safety standard. Please download the poster and display in a highly visible location. For more information visit the quad...
Consumer Protection
Poster
12 Mar 2020

Seniors housing options now and in the future

READ
In retirement, you may choose to downsize from your family home to a home that is better suited to your lifestyle changes. This guide provides a summary of some housing options that are available to...
Consumer Protection
Guide / handbook
30 Mar 2023

Thinking of purchasing a new car? Tips for consumers

READ
Follow these tips to protect yourself: 1. Research Before you buy a new or used car, do some research to determine which car is right for you and what you can afford. 2. Check safety rating Check the...
Consumer Protection
Flyers
27 Sep 2022

Motor vehicle repairers - tips for consumers

READ
Does your vehicle need repairs? Follow these tips to protect your asset and your family. 1 Research. Before you book your car in for a service, new tyres or repairs ask for recommendations from your...
Consumer Protection
Flyers
02 Dec 2019

Pages

Announcements

Commissioner's Blog: Keep your Christmas cheer in check

The pressures and temptations to spend too much over Christmas can create financial stress and debt that linger long after the Christmas cheer has gone. Despite increasing costs of living, including higher mortgage interest rates, a report by Australian Consumer and Retail Studies at Monash Business School shows people are planning to spend an average of $1,088 on Christmas presents, with 65 per...
Consumer Protection
Media release
06 Dec 2023

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 6 December 2023), the average price of Perth’s regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by over 34 cents...
Consumer Protection
Media release
05 Dec 2023

Avoid a trip to the ED – safe summer tips for families

Safety warning for parents about the dangers of eRideables Quarter of drowning deaths in young children occurred in a pool in 2022-23 Trampolines and Christmas presents with button batteries can be hazardous With the warm weather here already, Consumer Protection has some timely safety tips for families to enjoy a safe summer. A fun way for kids to zip around outdoors is on a motorised scooter,...
Consumer Protection
Media release
30 Nov 2023

Commissioner's Blog: Electrical safety this summer

Decorative lights, electronic gifts and DIY projects are hallmarks of the festive season, prompting WA’s electrical safety regulator, Building and Energy, to share top tips for a safe summer. Festive lights are a popular addition to homes at this time of year, but damaged or incorrectly used lights can cause electric shocks and fires. Consumers are urged to check that lights, cords and plugs are...
Building and Energy / Consumer Protection
Media release
29 Nov 2023

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 29 November 2023), the average price of Perth’s regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by over 34 cents...
Consumer Protection
Media release
28 Nov 2023

Watch out for bushfire charity scams

Devastating Mariginiup bushfire a likely target for callous scammers Donors urged to be wary of fake websites and bogus social media posts Advice to only donate via Lord Mayor’s Distress Fund or licensed charities Kind-hearted Western Australians looking to donate to the victims of the Mariginiup bushfire are being warned by Consumer Protection to be wary of scammers who may set up fake charity...
Consumer Protection
Media release
28 Nov 2023

Spotlight on scams, tenancy, vulnerable communities

New Consumer Justice Strategy initiatives identified Call for banks and industry to do more on scam protection Tenancy law reforms, automotive industry compliance are other top priorities Lobbying Australian banks to improve scam prevention strategies, tightening tenancy laws, and improving support for vulnerable Western Australians are among the upcoming consumer focused priorities for the Cook...
Consumer Protection
Media release
24 Nov 2023

Don’t get stung by scams or parcel delays this shopping season

Scammers steal nearly $400,000 from WA online shoppers so far in 2023 Check delivery timeframes for online items to avoid missing Christmas deadline 33 extra trading hours approved to make Christmas shopping more convenient Online shoppers are urged to be on high alert for scams and to remember their consumer rights in the lead up to major retail events like the Black Friday, Cyber Monday and...
Consumer Protection
Media release
23 Nov 2023

Shut the door on real estate and rental scammers

Buying or renting a residential property involves significant financial transactions which, increasingly, are targets for scammers. Over the last 12 month, WA ScamNet received 129 complaints of real estate and rental scams that left 74 West Australians almost one million dollars, in total, out of pocket. Rental and real estate scammers try to trick you out of your money when you need to transfer...
Consumer Protection
Media release
22 Nov 2023

Plumber fined for unauthorised, defective work – Julian Francis North

PLUMBERS LICENSING BOARD – MEDIA STATEMENT A Butler plumber has been fined $5,500 for working beyond the scope of his licence and not rectifying a defective water heater that could have scalded users. At Armadale Magistrates Court on 29 September 2023, Julian Francis North (TL12335) pleaded guilty to two charges brought by the Plumbers Licensing Board. Mr North holds a plumbing tradesperson’s...
Building and Energy
Media release
22 Nov 2023

Pages

Subscribe to Topics
Subscribe to RSS - Consumer