Consumer Protection Links

Links

  • Greens Policy on Retail Trading Hours
  • The Consumer Protection Division of the Department of Commerce promotes consumer protection and fair trading in Western Australia.
  • The Consumer Protection Division of the Department of Commerce web information on the procedure to make a complaint.
  • Australasian Legal Information Institutecopy of the Fair Trading Act 1987 for Western Australia.
  • Department of the Attorney General a guide to your rights and responsibilitiesunder Western Australian Law and how to go to Court.
  • The Western Australian Ombudsman is an independent and impartial person whose office investigates complaints from individuals about Western Australian Government agencies, statutory authorities, local governments and public universities. The Ombudsman also has the authority to initiate an enquiry or investigation about any of these public bodies, even when no specific complaint has been received.
  • The Consumer Credit Legal Service of WA - is a service that provides free legal advice to the Western Australian public over the telephone through the credit helpline, as well as financial and rural counsellors. The Service also provides advice; represents clients in legal proceedings in the courts and State Administrative Tribunal; assists consumers to access dispute resolution bodies such as the Banking and Financial Services Ombudsman and the Magistrates Court; active in the area of community legal education; provides a consumer voice in WA in relation to policy issues both for State and Federal.
  • The Australian Competiton and Consumer Commission promotes competition and fair trade in the market place to benefit consumers, businesses and the community. It also regulates national infrastructure services. Its primary responsibility is to ensure that individuals and businesses comply with the Commonwealth competition, fair trading and consumer protection laws.
  • The Ministerial Council on Consumer Affairs (MCCA) consists of all Commonwealth, State, Territory and New Zealand Ministers responsible for fair trading, consumer protection laws and credit laws. The role of MCCA is to consider consumer affairs and fair trading matters of national significance and, where possible, develop a consistent approach to those issues.
  • CHOICE is the largest independent consumer advocacy organisation in Australia that aims to monitor and inform the consumer of their rights and choices, whilst lobby’s on behalf of consumers for their rights or issues: from food regulation and labelling, health and financial services to telecommunications and digital technology, standards codes, ecologically sustainable development and the environment ... to name but a few.
  • Financial Ombudsman Service provides accessible, fair and independent dispute resolution for consumers and financial services providers.
  • The Commonwealth Ombudsman considers and investigates complaints from people who believe they have been treated unfairly or unreasonably by a Commonwealth Government department or agency.
  • The Housing Industry Association provides information to consumers on its Standard form contracts and building matters that arise in connection with Association members. HIA members are subject to a National Code of Ethics which includes a complaints procedure.
  • Legal Aid WA is an independent statutory body that provides legal aid services including free information, legal advice and other legal help in most areas of the law. The type and amount of help you will get depends on your finances, your legal problem and our resources. Other specialist services are provided by the Child Support Legal Unit, Domestic Violence Legal Unit, Immigration Service, and the YouthLaw Unit. Contact details for your nearest legal aid office can be found on the Legal Aid WA website.
  • Consumers Online is the Commonwealth Government's one-stop-shop for consumer protection information in Australia and provides important information on consumer publications, consumer representatives, and stuff for kids. FIDO How to complain about companies or people - http://fido.asic.gov.au/fido/fido.nsf/byheadline/Complaining+about+compa...
  • SCAM Watch Is responsible for consumer protection in relation to frauds and scams. Consumers who think they've spotted a scam can report a scam or find out more information about scams on the SCAMwatch website or call 1300 795 995.
  • The Australian Securities and Investment Commission website for consumers and investors that includes warnings about financial scams, lists of illegal investments and unlicensed overseas callers promoting investment opportunities, tips on managing money, and information on how to complain. It also features case studies about people who were made financial offers that were too good to be true. How to complain and Search ASIC’s Database
  • Net Alert is the Australian Government's cyber-safety website. The site includes advice and resources on Internet scams, identity theft, spam and other online cyber-safety related issues.
  • Stay Smart Online is the Australian Government's e-security website for home users and small businesses. The site has a range of information and resources, including quizzes, guides, tools, tips and advice on how to use the Internet safely and confidently.
  • Protect Financial Identity is a website that provides information for the public about how to protect your financial identity in everyday life and minimise the damage if a problem occurs. This website has been developed by the Australian Bankers Association, the Australian High Tech Crime Centre and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.
  • Attorney-General's Department has a kit produced by the to help you prevent and respond to identity theft.
  • The Insurance Ombudsman Service is a national scheme for consumers aimed at resolving insurance disputes.
  • The Private Health Insurance Ombudsman (PHIO) provides an independent service to help consumers with health insurance problems and enquiries.
  • Product Recalls Australia provides current product recall information based on notifications provided to the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer.
  • Superannuation Complains Tribunal - is an independent dispute resolution body which deals with a diverse range of superannuation-related complaints and offers a free, 'user-friendly' alternative to the court system.
  • The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman is a free and independent alternative dispute resolution scheme for small business and residential consumers in Australia with unresolved complaints about their telephone or internet services.
  • The Uniform Consumer Credit Code governs all credit transactions in Australia. Credit providers must disclose all relevant information about your arrangement in a written contract, including interest rates, fees and commissions.