Commissioner's Blog: Quad bikes are not children’s toys

As school holidays approach, a reminder that quad bikes and kids are a dangerous, and potentially deadly, mix.

Since 2020, nine West Australians have been killed on quad bikes - two of them this year, including a girl aged under 10. Nationally, quad bikes are a leading cause of serious injury and death on Australian farming properties with 71 people killed, including 11 children, since 2017.

Commissioner's Blog: Supporting a level playing field

Have you ever walked away from a business transaction and felt it was unfair or you questioned how you were treated?

Whether you are a consumer or owner of a small business, you may have felt that it didn't feel like a level playing field. These types of business behaviours are referred to as unfair trading practices and the Australian Government is looking into how these behaviours might be causing harm and what could be done about it. 

Commissioner's Blog: Hotel hackers - scam alert for holidaymakers

If you’re looking forward to a dream holiday, then watch out for a sophisticated new scam that could risk it turning into a nightmare.

Consumer Protection’s WA ScamNet team is warning travellers about unexpected messages from their accommodation providers seeking additional credit card verification, as it could be the work of scammers who have hacked into the hotel’s computer system.

Commissioner's Blog: Know your rechargeable battery risks

If you have a mobile phone, laptop, electric toothbrush, eScooter, eBike, any power tools, or solar power backup storage, you need to know how to reduce potentially deadly fire risks lurking in their batteries.

These common household items use rechargeable lithium-ion batteries which can be highly flammable. If these batteries are used incorrectly, or are damaged, they can overheat, explode and cause fires that can be dangerous and difficult to extinguish.

Reforms to provide better short-stay regulation and encourage more rentals

  • All short-term rental accommodation providers to be required to register properties
  • New $10,000 incentive for property owners to transition existing short-term rental accommodation into long-term rental homes for Western Australians
  • Reforms to provide consistency across the sector and clarity on what is required to operate a short-term rental accommodation property

The Cook Government has today announced new regulations for un-hosted Short-Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) in Western Australia, along with an incentive aimed at returning some properties to

Mandatory training to continue to keep real estate and settlement sectors in top shape

  • Mandatory professional development to continue for WA real estate and settlement industries
  • Ongoing education and training to maintain faith and confidence in industry participants
  • Agents to administer and self-fund program

The Cook Government has again thrown its support behind mandatory Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for everyone employed in the real estate and settlement sectors to ensure high standards are maintained.

Shut the door on real estate and rental scammers

Buying or renting a residential property involves significant financial transactions which, increasingly, are targets for scammers.

 

Over the last 12 month, WA ScamNet received 129 complaints of real estate and rental scams that  left 74 West Australians almost one million dollars, in total, out of pocket.

 

Rental and real estate scammers try to trick you out of your money when you need to transfer payments or make deposits to banks, real estate & settlement agents or landlords.

 

Spotlight on scams, tenancy, vulnerable communities

  • New Consumer Justice Strategy initiatives identified
  • Call for banks and industry to do more on scam protection
  • Tenancy law reforms, automotive industry compliance are other top priorities

Lobbying Australian banks to improve scam prevention strategies, tightening tenancy laws, and improving support for vulnerable Western Australians are among the upcoming consumer focused priorities for the Cook Government.

Commissioner's Blog: Electrical safety this summer

Decorative lights, electronic gifts and DIY projects are hallmarks of the festive season, prompting WA’s electrical safety regulator, Building and Energy, to share top tips for a safe summer.

Festive lights are a popular addition to homes at this time of year, but damaged or incorrectly used lights can cause electric shocks and fires. Consumers are urged to check that lights, cords and plugs are undamaged, untangled and working well, particularly if they have been in storage.