The Indian Ocean Territories – Christmas and Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Consumer Protection provides a range of services to the Indian Ocean Territories through a Service Delivery Arrangement with the Australian Government.

Western Australian laws—including most of those relating to Consumer Protection—are applied as Commonwealth laws in the Territories, unless the Australian Government takes action to repeal, suspend or modify the applied laws. The Commonwealth Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts holds the delegated powers for these laws.

Group buying and daily deals

Are you considering buying a voucher offering goods or services at a discount online? Or have you already bought a voucher online? If so, there are some things you may wish to consider.

Websites offering discounts on goods or services where the consumer then receives a voucher to redeem with a retailer are otherwise known as voucher, coupon or group buying websites. These websites may offer deals such as a hair colour, cut and blow-dry for a quarter of the usual cost or a meal for two with drinks, for less than half price.

Lay-bys

A ‘lay-by’ agreement exists when you:

  • pay for the goods in at least three instalments (when the agreement is not called a ‘lay by’ agreement) or in at least two instalments (when the agreement is called ‘lay-by’); and 
  • do not receive the goods until the full price has been paid.

Any deposit you pay is also considered to be an instalment.

Example:

Ordering a Christmas hamper in advance and agreeing to pay for it by weekly instalments is a lay-by agreement.

Getting help dealing with retirement village

There are services available to provide help and advice about living in or leaving a retirement village.

Contact Consumer Protection 

Consumer Protection administers the Retirement Villages Act, Regulations and Code, available from WA legislation website.

Consumer Protection can help you with legal obligations of a village operator and resident’s rights.

Contact us on email or by calling 1300 30 40 54.

Selling a property by auction

A real estate auction is a public sale led by a licensed auctioneer. Auctions are ideal for unique or high-demand properties in sought-after areas. They can offer high visibility and generate strong interest from bidders.

During the auction process, buyers place competitive bids on your property. The property is sold to the highest bidder if their offer meets or exceeds the reserve price.

Price display

Component pricing

When a business promotes a price for goods or services, they must state the total price. If the business promotes a price that is only one component of the cost, they must also advertise the total price (as a single figure) at least as prominently as the partial price.

The single price must be:

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