Consumer Protection

• New interactive STRA Register report now live and updated monthly
• First detailed public STRA reporting tool for Western Australia 
• Explore STRA registrations by location, property type and hosting status 

Western Australians can now check in on the State’s short-term rental accommodation (STRA) sector and gain a clearer picture of industry activity through a new interactive reporting tool launched by Consumer Protection within the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety (LGIRS).

Helping Western Australians make safe choices is a key priority for Consumer Protection. With that in mind, there is a serious product safety concern involving certain toys and games that contain small magnets. 

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has been investigating the online sale of banned toys, games, puzzles, construction or modelling kits that contain separate or loose small high-powered magnets. 

• Consumer survey launched into extended car warranty sales in WA
• Complaints reveal high-pressure tactics, unclear terms and minimal benefit 
• Public feedback will guide possible reforms to strengthen consumer protection 

Western Australians are being asked to share their experiences with extended car warranty sales through a new public survey supporting an ongoing inquiry. 

Motorists in Perth and Mandurah are advised to fill up now if they need to, with petrol prices set to rise tomorrow. Drivers are also urged to only purchase the fuel they need to fill their vehicles, not to stockpile. 

FuelWatch reports that, from 6am tomorrow (Wednesday 5 August 2026), the average price of Perth’s regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by 14 cents per litre (cpl) to 210.1 cpl with BP hiking up to 229.9 cpl; 7-Eleven, Caltex and EG Ampol up to 219.9 cpl; and Ampol up to 218.9 cpl.

Commerce Minister Dr Tony Buti has released the following media statement: Better protection for retirement village residents under new laws

Key points:

These days it’s more common to tap a bank card or phone than it is to rummage through your wallet to pay with notes and coins. But as digital transactions dominate, many people are wondering whether businesses can refuse cash payments. 

In January this year, the Federal Government introduced a new cash mandate compelling some businesses to accept cash payments. 

Under the Cash Acceptance Industry Codes, supermarkets and certain petrol stations must accept cash for in-person payments between 7am and 9pm, unless the purchase is for more than $500. 

• $1 million in payments allegedly taken by house relocator for incomplete work
• Nine consumers report homes left incomplete or not supplied
• Consumers urged to avoid the sole trader using multiple business names 

Consumer Protection is warning Western Australians against engaging a house relocation trader who has allegedly taken more than $1 million in payments from consumers and failed to deliver the contracted services.   

Motorists in Perth and Mandurah are advised to fill up now if they need to, with petrol prices set to rise tomorrow. Drivers are also urged to only purchase the fuel they need to fill their vehicles, not to stockpile. 

FuelWatch reports that, from 6am tomorrow (Wednesday 29 July 2026), the average price of Perth’s regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by over 12 cents per litre (cpl) to 196.5 cpl with 7-Eleven, Ampol, BP and EG Ampol hiking up to 209.9 cpl; and Caltex up to 203.9 cpl.

Have you noticed some restaurants and bars adding an automatic tip or a pre-selected gratuity appearing to your bill? 

While tipping is common in some countries, Australia has traditionally operated on a wage-based system where tipping is voluntary but recently, we’ve been seeing in a dark pattern of automatic tipping which can sometimes also be disguised in ‘hidden fees’ or ‘drip pricing’.

A Wanneroo couple involved in a landscaping business has been fined $12,000 by the Perth Magistrates Court on 8 March 2019 and ordered to pay a total of $32,986.67 in compensation to five out of six consumers for taking deposits but not commencing or completing the work.