On 1 October 2019, amendments to the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996 (OSH Regulations) will come into effect. The amendments lower the blood lead removal level thresholds for workers and changes the definition of ‘lead-risk job’. Lead stays in the blood for several months. It is important to take action now to ensure that when the new laws come into effect the blood lead levels of...

Consumer Protection today paid tribute to Karen Merrin, a tireless champion of the community services sector, who has lost her battle with cancer. Karen, a Consumer Protection Award winner in 2017, was the inaugural manager of the Northern Suburbs Community Legal Centre (NSCLC) in Mirrabooka when it first opened in 1996. The Centre delivers advice, advocacy and representation to almost 4,000...

Consumer Protection has launched their new logo on World Consumer Rights Day with a busy year ahead planned for their work protecting consumers in WA. The new logo incorporates the umbrella from the previous logo which represents protection but is more colourful with the aim of making it stand out. Commissioner for Consumer Protection Lanie Chopping said the vibrant colours are designed to make...

If you are an employer in the State industrial relations system, it is a good idea to review employee pay rates regularly to ensure that they are in line with the current rates in the relevant award , or the minimum pay rates for award free employees if no award applies. The Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission reviews the minimum weekly rates of pay under state awards and the state...

A national safety alert has been issued for four open-flued gas heaters that, under certain circumstances, may produce too much carbon monoxide – potentially causing serious health risks to users. Building and Energy (formerly Energy Safety ) is urging owners of these gas heaters to stop using them immediately. The safety alert applies to: Regency i31 (purchased after 1 January 2010) supplied by...

Wageline is participating in the Small Business Development Corporation Bizlinks event for small business on Thursday 28 March 2019. Bookings are essential so click on the attached flyer and register now for this free event for small business owners. Bizlinks Flyer March 2019

The Easter period is rapidly approaching. If you are working or employing during this period, it is important to understand public holiday entitlements and obligations. The Western Australian public holidays for the 2019 Easter period are: Good Friday – Friday 19 April Easter Monday – Monday 22 April Visit the Easter 2019 public holiday arrangements page for: An overview of the Easter public...

A family in mourning over the death of a child from toppling furniture has won a Consumer Protection Award, along with a consumer advocate, a community support group and an ABC reporter. The winners were announced by Commerce Minister John Quigley during a presentation breakfast at the University Club of WA. Reef Kite was almost two years old when he was killed in October 2015 when a chest of...

A security bond is a payment made in advance by a tenant to cover any costs for which the tenant may be liable at the end of the tenancy, such as damage to the property or unpaid water bills or rent. Bond money is held in trust for the duration of a tenancy and must be lodged by the landlord or property manager with the Bond Administrator at Consumer Protection within 14 days of receiving it...

A Herne Hill man has been fined $4,000 and ordered to pay $943.50 in costs by the Perth Magistrates Court on 22 February 2019 after altering a certificate of title which was part of an application for owner-builder approval. Carl Rocco Garreffa had removed his wife’s name from the certificate of title of a property in Herne Hill which was jointly owned by the couple and failed to obtain her...

The State Government has approved an additional four hours of trading for general retail shops in the Perth metropolitan area on both the Labour Day and Easter Monday public holidays. Larger shops will be able to trade any time between 8am until 6pm on Monday, 4 March 2019 (Labour Day) and Monday, 22 April 2019 (Easter Monday). Normally trading hours for these public holidays are 11am to 5pm. The...

The average price of unleaded petrol is set to increase by over 22 cents per litre (cpl) to 143.2 cpl tomorrow, so FuelWatch is encouraging Perth drivers to fill up today to save money. FuelWatch advises that on Tuesday 26 February 2019, most Caltex Woolworths and Coles Express sites are increasing their ULP price to 149.9 cpl (increasing by 30 cpl). Most 7-Eleven and BP sites are increasing...