Consumer Protection

Twelve days of Christmas has passed, the tree has been taken down and you're left looking at some unwanted gifts and wondering what to do with them. 

Before you shove them in the back of the drawer, check the retailer’s refund policy. If a gift is not your preferred colour, is the wrong size, or it’s not what you asked for then it’s considered a “change of mind” and is not covered by the Australian Consumer Law. It is up to the business whether they will exchange it, offer a refund or provide store credit as a gesture of goodwill.

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.

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.

• Trader took deposits for aircon and custom-trailers but never did the work
• Fined $30,000 and ordered to compensate his victims
• Prosecution follows two earlier public warnings by Consumer Protection

A Perth man who took money for air conditioning and custom trailer work but failed to deliver has been fined $30,000 and ordered to compensate his victims.

Summer is here, and it's time to get outside and have fun making memories with family and friends.

Consumer Protection wants West Aussies to have a safe, happy, and healthy summer and importantly – no trips to the Emergency Department. This time of year comes with its own set of risks so it’s timely to give everyone a little reminder for how to enjoy the warm weather safely.

When it comes to kids staying safe there’s no substitute for adult supervision. Especially around water.

Commerce Minister Sue Ellery and Housing Minister John Carey have released the following media statement: Scheme expanded to help more first home buyers | Western Australian Government

Key points: 

• Remote access scammers steal $414,000 from WA consumers in 2024 so far
• Victims targeted by cold-calls, emails and pop-up error messages
• Advice to end calls urging app or software downloads, never share bank codes

A warning has been issued for consumers to immediately hang-up on anyone who tells them to download software or an app to fix a supposed technical issue, as new figures reveal remote access scams have stolen more than $400,000 from Western Australians so far this year.

Commerce Minister Sue Ellery has released the following media statement: Countdown on to fairer retirement village laws | Western Australian Government

Key points:

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.

Lithium-ion batteries have become the fastest growing home fire risk in Western Australia according to the Department of Fire and Emergency Services.

In 2024, there was a fire caused by one of these batteries almost every second day, making it the worst year on record. These 166 fires caused injuries, destroyed homes and possessions, damaged rubbish trucks and ignited large bushfires.