This list of links will be developed and updated to provide an online information resource for Western Australian consumers. Please email us with any feedback or additions you would like to suggest to the list.
Organisations and Government agencies that assist consumers
- Housing
- Consumer issues across Australia
- Cars
- Complaints about Government Services
- Health
- Money Issues
- Young Consumers
Housing
Building information and complaints
Building Services Board
The Building Services Board of Western Australia seeks to help building professionals, consumers and clients of building professionals to maintain quality and building standards within the local and wider community.
The Mission of the Building Services Board is to obtain the highest possible standards in the building industry, by the maintenance of appropriate levels of entry skills for builders, the fostering of continuous professional development and the provision of cost efficient and impartial service to the community.
Contact
Building Services Board
Our office is located in the MACMAHON building at Level 1, 31 Troode Street, West Perth, office hours are from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday.
Postal Address:
Building Services Board
Locked Bag 12
West Perth WA 6872
Contact Numbers:
Telephone (08) 9476 1200
Facsimile (08) 9476 1276
Email: registrar@builders.wa.gov.au
Website: www.builders.wa.gov.au
Building Disputes Tribunal, WA (BDT)
The BDT provides a forum for the resolution of both workmanship and contractual disputes concerning building work within WA.
Contact
Mail: Building Disputes Tribunal
Parliament Court
Suite 4, Ground Floor, 18 Harvest Terrace
West Perth
W.A. 6005
Telephone: (08) 9476 1222
Fax : (08) 9476 1223
Email: registrar@brb.org.au
Website: www.buildingdisputes.wa.gov.au
Painting
The Building Services Board seeks to help painting professionals, consumers and clients of painting professionals to maintain quality painting standards within the local and wider community.
Any painter employed within the Board’s area of jurisdiction for work over $200 must be registered with the Painters’ Registration Board. Consumers should ask to see the Registered Painter’s identification card before entering into a contract or engagement for painting, including roof painting and wallpapering work over $200. The Board can assist with any problems on workmanship.
Contact
Building Services Board
Our office is located in the MACMAHON building at Level 1, 31 Troode Street, West Perth, office hours are from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday.
Contact Numbers:
Telephone (08) 9476 1212
Facsimile (08) 9476 1276
Email: registrar@painters.wa.gov.au
Website: http://www.painters.wa.gov.au
Department of Commerce (Consumer Protection)
Consumer Protection have two publications; Home Buyers’ Survival Guide for WA and Home building disputes and appeals to assist consumers who are buying an established property, or building/renovating a home.
Telephone: Consumer Protection’s Advice Line 1300 30 40 54
Email: consumer@commerce.wa.gov.au
Website: www.commerce.wa.gov.au
Renting / tenants advice
Tenants Advice Service
TAS provides telephone advice to over 1,900 tenants a year, distributes 29,000 tenancy publications annually, and conducts highly-attended community education forums on tenancy and human rights issues.
Contact
Telephone: Metropolitan Advice Line: (08) 9221 0088
Monday to Friday: 8:30am to 12:00pm and Wednesday afternoon 2:30pm to 7:30pm
Country Advice Line: 1800 621 888
Monday to Friday: 1:00pm to 2:30pm. Country callers can leave a message on the answering machine. TAS will return your call during the country line hours.
Website: www.taswa.org
Consumer issues across Australia
Australian Consumers’ Association (ACA)
ACA is an independent, non-profit organisation which publishes Choice Magazine and Choice Online – both are available by subscription. Information includes consumer research and advice on a range of issues as well as the results of product testing. The web site also provides a range of free information – consumer rights and advice, and ACAs’ policy and campaigning material.
Contact
Post: Australian Consumers’ Association
57 Carrington Rd
MARRICKVILLE NSW 2204
Telephone: (02) 9577 3333 (9.00am to 5.00pm Sydney time)
Fax : (02) 9577 3377
Email: ausconsumer@choice.com.au
Website: www.choice.com.au
Consumers’ Federation of Australia
CFA is the national peak body for consumer groups in Australia. CFA’ 95 members include legal centres, health rights groups, local consumer organisations and public interest bodies. CFA’s role is to put the view of its member organisations to government and industry and advocate on behalf of consumers. Established in 1974, our focus is primarily on advancing the interests of disadvantaged or vulnerable consumers. CFA is unfunded and its executive serves in a purely voluntary capacity. CAWA is a member of the Consumers’ Federation of Australia.
Contact
Website: www.consumersfederation.org.au
Cars
Register of Encumbered Vehicles (REVS)
REVS is a database where a financier, or person who has loaned money for the purchase of a vehicle or boat, registers their security. Vehicles on this register are generally referred to as encumbered or having an interest recorded against them. To access the list:
Contact details
Telephone: 1300 30 40 54
Email: consumer@commerce.wa.gov.au
Web page: www.commerce.wa.gov.au/revs/
Complaints about Government Services
The WA Government recently produced a pamphlet and launched a website to inform consumers how to go about making complaints about Government services if they are dissatisfied.
Website: www.complaints.wa.gov.au
State Ombudsman
The main function of the Ombudsman is to investigate complaints about government administration. Consumers can complain to the Ombudsman about many public sector bodies and office—holders including:
- state government departments;
- statutory authorities and corporations;
- local governments
- public universities.
Contact
Mail: The Ombudsman
PO Box Z5386
St Georges Tce
Perth WA 6831
Telephone (08) 9220 7555 Freecall 1800 117 000
Fax (08) 9325 1107
Email: mail@ombudsman.wa.gov.au
Website: www.ombudsman.wa.gov.au
Commonwealth Ombudsman
A similar service is offered for complaints about Commonwealth departments. For further information go to:
Contact
Mail: PO Box Z5386
St Georges Tce
Perth WA 6831
Telephone 08 9220 7541
Fax 08 9221 4381
website: www.comb.gov.au
Equal Opportunity Commission
Contact
Commissioner for Equal Opportunity
Level 2, Hartleys Building
141 St George’s Tce
Perth WA 6000
Telephone: (08) 9216 3900
Fax: (08) 9216 3960
Country callers: 1800 198 149 (Free call)
TTY No: (08) 9216 3936
Email: eoc@equalopportunity.wa.gov.au
(If an interpreter is required, please call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450 and ask for connection to the Equal Opportunity Commission on (08) 9216 3900)
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC)
HREOC is a national independent statutory government body, established in 1986 by an Act of the federal Parliament, The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act. Under the legislation administered by the Commission, it has responsibilities for inquiring into alleged infringements under five anti discrimination laws — the Racial Discrimination Act 1975, the Sex Discrimination Act 1984, Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Age Discrimination Act 2004 as well as inquiring into alleged infringements of human rights under the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986.
Contact
Telephone: (02) 9284 9600
Fax: (02) 9284 9611
Complaints Info line: 1300 656419
Privacy Hotline: 1300 363992
General enquiries and publications: 1300 369711
TTY: 1800 620241
Website: www.humanrights.gov.au
Health
Health Consumers’ Council
Established in 1994, Health Consumers’ Council (HCC) is an independent community—based organisation representing the consumers’ voice in health policy, planning, research and service delivery across WA and nationally. HHC provides a direct service to the public, assisting WA consumers in navigating the health system.
HCC strives to increase health consumer and provider knowledge of consumer rights and responsibilities, and develop a partnership approach between doctors and patients for more effective health care. HCC’s mentoring program assists community organisations, agencies and self—help groups to develop skills, and ensured that larger agencies are sensitive to consumer needs.
Contact
Postal: GPO Box C134
Perth WA 6839
Unit 13/14 Wellington Fair
4 Lord Street
Perth WA 6000
Telephone: (08) 92213422 (Mon to Fri 8.00am to 5.00pm)
Freecall: (08) 1800 620 780
Fax: (08) 9221 5435
Email: info@hcc-wa.asn.au
Website: www.hcc-wa.global.net.au
People with Disability
Representing all people with disabilities in Western Australia — physical, intellectual, psychiatric and sensory, providing advocacy, information and lobbying services.
Contact
Telephone: (08) 9386 6477
Toll free: 1800 193 331
TTY: (08) 9386 6451
Fax: (08) 9386 6705
Oasis Lotteries House
37 Hampden Rd
Nedlands WA 6009
Health and Disability Services Complaints Office
The Health and Disability Services Complaints Office was set up by Parliament to independently resolve complaints about health and disability services providers. If you have already talked to the service provider, but have not been able to resolve the issue, you should contact the Office of Health Review.
Contact
GPO Box B61
Perth WA 6838
Phone: (08) 9323 0600
Fax: (08) 9221 3675
Country Free Call: 1800 813 583
TTY: (08) 9323 0616
Email: mail@hadsco.wa.gov.au
Website: http://www.hadsco.wa.gov.au/
Money issues
Consumer Credit Legal Service WA (Inc)
Consumer Credit Legal Service provides advice and counselling on credit related issues, including finance, credit cards etc. CCLSWA’s goal is “to help the WA community achieve just and fair relationships with banks and other financial institutions”.
Contact information
Level 1/231 Adelaide Tce
PERTH WA 6000
Telephone: Hotline: 1800 627 662
Direct: 08 9481 7662
Fax: 08 9481 7668
Email: cclswa@iinet.net.au
Financial Counselling
Provides information about your nearest financial counselling service.
Contact
Telephone: (08) 9221 9411
Website: www.fcrp.org.au
Young Consumers
Youth Legal Service WA
Youth Legal Service WA (YLSWA) began operating in 1985. It is a Community Legal Centre actively involved in educating young people and their families, and professionals working with young people, in aspects of the law and their responsibilities within the law. YLSWA provides assistance to people under 25 who need legal information, advice or a lawyer because they are involved with the Children’s Court. Appointments must be made before visiting the Service.
Contact
8 Pier St
Perth WA 6000
Telephone: (08) 9202 1688 (9.00am to 5.00pm)
Country free call: 1800 199 006
Fax (08) 9202 1699
Email: yls@youthlegalserviceinc.com.au
Website: www.youthlegalserviceinc.com.au