Announcements

Showing 1 - 25 of 905 results

Rent reforms begin with ban on bidding wars

Rent bidding banned in Western Australia as first stage tenancy reforms kick in Undercover officers to check landlords and agents are doing the right thing Stronger rights for tenants to fight back against retaliatory action by landlords The Cook Government has delivered on the first stage of its commitment to modernise Western Australia's tenancy laws, with landlords now prohibited from...
Consumer Protection
Media release
16 May 2024

Commissioner's Blog: Lithium-ion batteries – a silent threat in our homes

Our lives are filled with devices powered by lithium-ion batteries – e-rideables, power tools, laptops, toys, smartphones, electric vehicles and even electric toothbrushes. Unfortunately, they also harbour a hidden danger. Lithium-ion batteries, no matter how small, are susceptible to fiery failures that can escalate quickly and pose a serious threat to our safety. These fires can be very...
Consumer Protection
Media release
15 May 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 15 May 2024), the average price of Perth’s regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by over 32 cents per...
Consumer Protection
Media release
14 May 2024

Commissioner's Blog: Expert advice for buying a gift card this Mother’s Day

Gift cards might be considered a lazy gift… but you know what’s worse? Giving Mum a pressie she doesn’t like, want, or need for Mother’s Day. With her special day just around corner, Consumer Protection has some advice for you if you’re thinking about giving Mum a gift card or voucher to her favourite store or local business. A minimum three-year expiry period applies to most gift cards and the...
Consumer Protection
Media release
09 May 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 8 May 2024), the average price of Perth’s regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by over 31 cents per...
Consumer Protection
Media release
07 May 2024

New incentive scheme for property owners to fill empty homes

New $5,000 incentive to convert vacant properties into long-term rental homes Scheme is the Cook Government's latest initiative to boost housing supply Six-month extension for successful Short-Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) Incentive Scheme, to return even more properties to the long-term rental market The Cook Labor Government will offer $5,000 incentives to vacant property owners to bring...
Consumer Protection
Media release
07 May 2024

Commissioner's Blog: Shedding light on dark patterns

As the cost of living continues to pinch, most people are looking for ways to save a bit of money, but some businesses use sneaky tricks to make us spend more than intended. Dark patterns are tactics used to nudge, manipulate or trick you into spending more than planned or providing personal data that isn’t needed. These tactics can be used in many situations, but the place you will see them most...
Consumer Protection
Media release
06 May 2024

Wrong property sale sees agency fined

Kelmscott real estate agency fined $6,000 for selling wrong property Mistake only discovered after buyer moved in Agents need procedures to verify details provided in contracts of sale Selling the wrong property to a buyer has resulted in a Kelmscott real estate agency accepting a reprimand and the payment of $7,000 in fines and costs following disciplinary action by Consumer Protection. John O’...
Consumer Protection
Media release
02 May 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 1 May 2024), the average price of Perth’s regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by 32 cents per litre (...
Consumer Protection
Media release
30 Apr 2024

Commissioner's Blog: Your crash, their payday? Claims harvesting explained

Picture this – your car has been badly rear-ended in peak hour traffic and you shakily give your personal details to the first tow truck driver on the scene, who takes your car away. A few days later you receive a call from a lawyer who knows all about your car accident and tells you they can “help” you get a significant payout for your minor whiplash. What you don’t know is that tow truck driver...
Consumer Protection
Media release
24 Apr 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 April 2024), the average price of Perth’s regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by over 31 cents per...
Consumer Protection
Media release
23 Apr 2024

Commissioner's Blog: Stop the interruptions - take back your phone from telemarketers and spam

Unwanted calls and spam SMS can be a source of frustration. Whether it's persistent telemarketers interrupting your dinner or irrelevant promotional texts flooding your phone, there are ways to put a stop to them. You may have forgotten about the Do Not Call register, which is a free service run by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). You can register your home, personal...
Consumer Protection
Media release
18 Apr 2024

Funding boost for WA's tenancy reforms as they pass Parliament

Reforms to tenancy laws strengthen protections for renters and provide more clarity for landlords More funding provided to support Commissioner determinations as part of 2024-25 State Budget Frequency of rent increases limited to once every 12 months Rent bidding prohibited, adverts must state fixed amount The Cook Labor Government has committed extra funding to support streamlined dispute...
Consumer Protection
Media release
17 Apr 2024

Short stay rental accommodation reforms pass Parliament

Parliament greenlights stronger regulation of short-term rental accommodation in WA New register and planning changes to balance needs of communities and owners Laws requiring all Short-Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) in Western Australia to be included on a new register have passed through State Parliament. To be operated by Consumer Protection, the STRA Register is expected to open on 1 July...
Consumer Protection
Media release
17 Apr 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 April 2024), the average price of Perth’s regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by 32 cents per litre...
Consumer Protection
Media release
16 Apr 2024

Commissioner's Blog: Cracking the code on diesel pricing with FuelWatch

Unleaded petrol (ULP) prices often grab the headlines but for many West Aussie drivers, diesel is the lifeblood that keeps their utes, trucks, 4WDs and family cars running. Currently, Tuesday is the cheapest day to fill the tank with petrol, but Consumer Protection’s FuelWatch team often receives questions asking when the cheapest day is for diesel. Diesel does not follow a price cycle in the...
Consumer Protection
Media release
11 Apr 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 10 April 2024), the average price of Perth’s regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by over 31 cents per...
Consumer Protection
Media release
09 Apr 2024

Unlicensed real estate agent ‘should have known better’

Woman found guilty of representing herself as a real estate agent Complaint to Consumer Protection uncovered illegal activity Unlicensed operators undermine professional standards of the industry An unlicensed real estate agent, who stopped paying rental income to her client, was convicted and ordered to pay more than $5,500 by the Joondalup Magistrates Court. Phillipa Ann Ives was convicted and...
Consumer Protection
Media release
04 Apr 2024

Buckle up for changes on written-off car sales

Car dealers will soon be required to advise buyers if the vehicles on offer had previously been written off Under the new laws, dealers will face fines up to $5,000 for failing to comply New regulations follow surge in complaints from unsuspecting buyers New regulations to protect consumers from making a purchase they may later regret will soon come into effect, with penalties coming to car...
Consumer Protection
Media release
04 Apr 2024

Travel scratchie scams: don't let 'instant win' become instant regret

WA households targeted by Malaysian travel brochure scam Packages arrive containing fake scratchies showing $US185,000 win Fake scratchie cards promising huge cash prizes as part of a bogus travel promotion are once again arriving in letterboxes across Western Australia, prompting a warning for households to be on scam alert. Consumer Protection's WA ScamNet team has recently received a high...
Consumer Protection
Media release
03 Apr 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 3 April 2024), the average price of Perth’s regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by over 32 cents per...
Consumer Protection
Media release
02 Apr 2024

Commissioner's Blog: Ride a quad bike, not an ambulance

Quad bikes are the leading cause of death and serious injury on Australian farms. School holidays and good weather often mean farm visits and quad bike adventures. Consumer Protection urges families to prioritise safety when it comes to quad biking. Sixty per cent of quad bike fatalities occur during a roll over. Even at slower speeds, these bikes can topple over and crush the rider with hundreds...
Consumer Protection
Media release
28 Mar 2024

Record year for WA cybercrime as Facebook scams surge

WA ScamNet Year in Review report released Scammers steal record $22 million from Western Australians in 2023 Facebook cons drive higher reporting numbers, up 62 per cent Artificial intelligence scams an emerging issue for this year and beyond The release of the WA ScamNet Year in Review report has revealed that scam records were shattered last year with 1,398 Western Australians victims...
Consumer Protection
Media release
26 Mar 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 27 March 2024), the average price of Perth’s regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by 33 cents per litre...
Consumer Protection
Media release
26 Mar 2024

Don’t sweat it! How your fitness journey is protected by WA law

How’s that new year fitness resolution going? Maybe the January eagerness to get to the gym has worn off or you’re nearing the end of a 12-week fitness challenge and you’re feeling the pressure to sign up for another one. The good news is, no matter what you decide to do with your fitness goals, you are protected by Western Australian law when it comes to using fitness service providers. In July...
Consumer Protection
Media release
20 Mar 2024

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