Consumer Protection

You signed up to a gym, bought the fancy water bottle, and maybe even attended a few classes. But now your enthusiasm for early-morning gains or after-work downward dog is running on empty.

Before you resign yourself to months of paying for a membership you never use, you’ll be pleased to know you are protected by Western Australian law when it comes to fitness service providers.

The Fitness Industry Code of Practice (the code) applies to gyms and fitness centres, and providers such as personal trainers, boot camps and yoga classes.

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 2 April 2025), the average price of Perth’s regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by 32 cents per litre (cpl) to 194.4 cpl with EG Ampol and Ampol hiking up to 211.9 cpl; 7-Eleven, Reddy Express, BP and Caltex up to 209.9 cpl; Vibe up to 209.7 cpl; and United up to 205.9 cpl.

• Bennett Springs man penalised more than $87,000 for unlicensed car dealing
• Continued selling cars just a month after prior conviction for same offence
• Anyone buying/selling four or more vehicles a year needs a dealer’s licence

A repeat offender who illegally sold more than 30 vehicles in 17 months has been convicted and ordered to pay a total of $87,300.50 by the Perth Magistrates Court.

• Portable pools pose danger to young children
• One portable pool-related fatality each year on average
• Don’t Duck Out, Make It SAFE campaign in its fourth year

Tragically, on average one child dies from portable pool-related drowning each year in Australia and other kids need hospital treatment and may be left with severe brain injuries.

That’s why Australian consumer protection and product safety regulators join forces with Royal Life Saving Society - Australia every summer to remind parents and carers to make portable pools SAFE.

• Plumbers assessed customers’ switchboards without an electrical licence
• Magistrate notes offensive conduct, sales tactics and vulnerable victims
• Pair employed by a large Perth plumbing, gas and electrical company

The “scam” conduct of two licensed plumbers who provided unqualified electrical advice was “morally offensive” as it involved vulnerable victims and sales tactics, according to a Perth Magistrate.

Electric scooters and skateboards will likely appear on many Christmas wish-lists this year, given the growing popularity of these eRideable devices and others like them in recent years.

To avoid disappointment when shopping for eRideables, it is important to be across the new rules that are now in effect covering how they can be used.

• Tenants reporting rental properties with major maintenance issues
• Lack of action by some landlords creating unsafe and unhealthy homes
• Landlords warned not to undertake unlicensed plumbing or electrical repairs

Consumer Protection is receiving numerous reports of sub-standard rental properties being leased to WA tenants from some private landlords.

These landlords are failing to properly maintain their properties and carry out essential repairs that are creating dangerous hazards with the potential to harm tenants.

Anyone who’s tried to cancel a contract to buy a new or used car may recall being slugged with a fee from the dealer for pulling out of the deal.

Known as ‘pre-estimated liquidated damages’, the fee is supposed to be a true reflection of actual costs incurred by the dealership as a result of the transaction falling through, such as vehicle licensing costs, special accessories that may have been fitted and demonstrable administration costs.

• Consumers urged to be aware of new eRideable rules to make an informed choice
• Popularity of eScooters, eSkateboards and other devices prompt extra safety measures
• Retailers warned not to mislead consumers about speed limits and permitted uses

Consumer Protection is urging shoppers to consider the new rules covering the use of electric rideable devices (eRideables) that are now in effect before deciding to purchase.

• Maximum damages claim for cancellations reduced from 15 to five per cent
• Dealers warned to only charge for realistic costs of contract cancellation
• Consumers urged to be sure of purchase as cancellation can be costly

The maximum amount motor vehicle dealers in WA can charge a consumer who cancels a purchase contract will be reduced to five per cent of the contract’s value from 1 January 2022.