Consumer Protection

• Permanent ban imposed on agent over failures in trust account oversight 
• $715,000 trust account shortfall uncovered in Consumer Protection investigation
• Employee redirected trust funds into her own bank accounts 
• Impacted consumers assisted through the fidelity guarantee account 

A Perth real estate agent has been permanently disqualified and had his licence cancelled after the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) found he failed to prevent the misappropriation of more than $715,000 from his agency’s trust accounts by an employee and co

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 15 April 2026), the average price of Perth’s regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by 6 cents per litre (cpl) to 213.9 cpl with Caltex hiking up to 239.9 cpl; BP and 7-Eleven up to 229.9 cpl; EG Ampol up to 219.9 cpl; and Ampol up to 217.9 cpl.

Almost 5,000 incorporated associations in Western Australia are currently behind in lodging one or more annual information statements (AIS) and are at risk of being de-registered. 

Consumer Protection administers incorporated associations, not-for-profit groups set up for many social, sporting or community purposes – for example, a swimming club, a school P&C, a charity or a volunteer group. 

There’s lots of reasons people want to form an association but to remain active, an AIS must be submitted every year at the end of their financial year. 

• Cabinetmaker convicted, ordered to pay over $15,000 in fines and compensation
• Took $6,800 in deposits, failed to complete work and kept a rangehood 
• Advice to avoid large deposits, insist on written quotes and clear timeframes

A Pearsall cabinetmaker has been convicted and ordered to pay $16,327.24 in fines, compensation and costs for taking thousands of dollars in deposits from consumers and failing to carry out the agreed work, in breach of the Australian Consumer Law.

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 8 April 2026), the average price of Perth’s regular unleaded petrol (ULP) will increase by 7 cents per litre (cpl) to 227.4 cpl with BP and 7-Eleven hiking up to 239.9 cpl; EG Ampol up to 229.9 cpl; United and Ampol up to 227.9 cpl; and Vibe up to 223.7 cpl.

Commerce Minister Dr Tony Buti has released the following media statement: Western Australians lose $24 million to scammers in one year | Western Australian Government

Key points: 

West Aussies are no strangers to disasters such as cyclones, bushfires and floods. But if you’re renting, there might be the extra stress of working with your landlord should your home be affected by a catastrophe. 

The good news is when it comes to rentals, both landlords and tenants have rights and responsibilities should a property become damaged or destroyed in a disaster such as a cyclone or bushfire. 

• Perth real estate agency, licensee fined $4,000 for late bond lodgement
• Incorrect information provided to tenant about status of the bond 
• Case highlights importance of due diligence to avoid compliance breaches 

A Perth real estate agency and its licensee have been reprimanded and fined $4,000 by the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT), after admitting to a breach involving tenancy bond lodgements. 

•    Perth landscapers fined for accepting three deposits and failing to deliver
•    Two people ordered to pay more than $19,000 in fines and compensation
•    Pair had previously been convicted for similar conduct

A northern suburbs man and woman who took upfront deposits for landscaping jobs but failed to complete the work, have been ordered to pay $19,618.32 in fines and compensation by the Perth Magistrates Court.