Consumer Protection publications raise awareness of consumer rights across a broad range of topics including renting a home, buying and selling goods or services, agreeing to contracts, avoiding scams, buying motor vehicles, and maintaining product safety awareness especially where children are concerned.
Below are links to some of our most popular publications downloadable in digital format (PDF), but we have many more available! Please visit the Consumer Protection website to access all of our consumer rights information.
Some publications listed below are also available in printed format - look for "print version also available". To order any of those publications please contact us at consumereducation@dmirs.wa.gov.au with the publication name, quantity (maximum 20 of each), and your mailing address and contact information.
Consumer Protection
How Consumer Protection can help
Consumer Complaints
Complaints and conciliation - a guide for consumers
Dispute with a business? A consumer guide to finding help - print version also available
Businesses
Consumer Rights
Contracts: Information you need to know (consumers)
Shopping
A consumer’s guide to buying a pet
Your rights when buying something (links to ACCC website) - available in Arabic, Chinese simplified, Greek, Italian, Spanish, Filipino, Vietnamese
Product safety for consumers
Furniture stability fact sheet
Home safety for baby – takeaway tips
Portable pool safety factsheets - available in Arabic, Greek, Italian, Traditional Chinese, Vietnamese
Product safety publications for consumers
Quad bike safety – what you need to know
Cars, boats and motorbikes
Buying a car: a buyer’s checklist
Does your vehicle need repairs? Tips for consumers
Thinking of purchasing a new car? Tips for consumers
Tradespeople and services
Do Not Knock stickers - print version only
Prepaid funeral checklist for consumers
Scams
Little Black Book of Scams (links to ACCC website) - print version available from Consumer Protection
WAScamNet postcards - print version only
Aboriginal consumers
Ask Us: Buying big ticket items
Ask Us: Estimates and quotes fact sheet
Ask Us: Got a question – Protection for Indigenous consumers
Ask Us: It’s ok to walk away poster
Ask Us: Unfair trading and you
Ask Us: Your rights when shopping
Non-English speaking consumers
My consumer rights posters and flash cards – available in Arabic, Dinka, English, Farsi, Karen, Nepalese, Tamil
People with disability
Information for consumers with disability
Housing and accommodation
Buying and selling a home
Home buyers assistance account a guide for first home buyers
Investment property ownership factsheet
Real estate consumer publications
Renting a home
Boarders and lodgers – a guide to your rights and responsibilities - print version also available
Renting a Home in WA – a tenant's guide
Renting out your property: an owner’s guide
Safe Tenancy WA – Flyer (tenants) - print version also available
Safe Tenancy WA – advice for landlords (booklet) - print version also available
Residential Parks
Park Living information booklet - print version also available
Seniors Housing
Moving in with your family - Multigenerational living and 'granny flat' arrangements (guide) - print version also available
Seniors Housing Options Now and in the Future - print version also available
So you're thinking about moving into a retirement village
Your Home: a guide to housing options for people over 55
Working with primary schools, early childhood services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to support children’s school readiness and their effective transition to formal schooling
Workshop: $220 per person
Friday 24th November 2017 (Workshop 1)
In Partnership with Coolabaroo Neighbourhood Centre and Yorganop Association Incorporated
Venue: Kuditj
201 Beaufort Street, Perth, Western Australia
Morning/Lunch/Afternoon Tea Provided
9:00 am - 4:30 pm
Key topics of discussion will be about:
- Increasing knowledge and confidence of families, early years educators, schools and family support services to support the transition to school for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
- Development and sustainable implementation of a transition support plan in each community with whole community ownership and participation
- Building positive relationships and communication between Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander families, communities and schools, to support student engagement
- Improving school attendance and educational attainment outcomes aligned with locally agreed targets
- Increasing knowledge and skills for responding to family and parenting issues
Putting it into practice:
- Community and stakeholder engagement-Identification of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal priority services and government links
- Transition Workshop 1-One day community meeting and One-day Workshop for initial knowledge transfer and facilitation on best practice transition processes
- Mentoring and support-Follow-up support for transition plan development and implementation (monthly teleconferences and email correspondence)
- Transition Workshop 2-One day face to face workshop within 3-6 months to embed changes and review progress on Transition Action Plans
- Data Analysis-Data collection and analysis report at midway point and at end of project
The workshop is designed for:
This workshop is designed for both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers and non-Indigenous workers in the early childhood and primary school sectors.
Please register early to ensure your spot in this workshop.
For information and to register please contact Tanya Wells, at SNAICC:
Tanya.Wells@snaicc.org,au 03 9489 8099
Supporting cultural competence of non-Indigenous educators in ECEC services who work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families
Workshop: $220 per person
Wednesday 22nd November – Thursday 23rd November 2017 (Workshop 1)
In Partnership with Coolabaroo Neighbourhood Centre and Yorganop Association Incorporated
Venue: Kuditj
201 Beaufort Street, Perth, Western Australia
Morning/Lunch/Afternoon Tea Provided
9:00 am - 4:30 pm
Key topics of discussion will be:
- Unpacking White Australia’s Black history
- Understanding the how the past still impacts the present
- Self-assessment and review of cultural awareness and inclusive practice
- Developing culturally appropriate and sustainable relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, children and families
- Implementing culturally appropriate programs and practice in line with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and National Quality Standards
- Putting it into Practice. Ideas, strategies and approaches that promote, explore and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture whilst implementing the outcomes, principles and practices from the Early Years Leaning Framework (EYLF).
Putting it into practice:
- To build the capacity of non-Indigenous educators in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) services to improve access and service quality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families
- To develop awareness, culturally inclusive practice and approaches of ECEC educators.
- To build respectful and genuine approaches and engagement of non-Indigenous educators with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ECEC services, communities and networks.
The workshop is designed for:
This workshop is designed for non-Indigenous workers as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers in the Early Childhood Education and Care Services, family day care and Early Years programs.
Please register early to ensure your spot in this workshop.
For information and to register please contact Tanya Wells, at SNAICC:
Tanya.Wells@snaicc.org,au or 03 9489 8099
Trauma informed approaches to healing and working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and communities
Workshop: $220 per person
Monday 20th November – Tuesday 21st November 2017
In Partnership with Coolabaroo Neighbourhood Centre and Yorganop Association Incorporated
Venue: Kuditj
201 Beaufort Street, Perth, Western Australia
Morning/Lunch/Afternoon Tea Provided
9:00 am - 4:30 pm
Key topics of discussion will be:
- What is Trauma – Complex, trans-generational and inter-generational for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- Understanding historical and ongoing trauma for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- Understanding attachment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
- The impact of trauma on brain, childhood development and attachment
- How does trauma impact on the spiritual/cultural, physiological and psychological self
Putting it into practice:
- Responding to trauma in culturally appropriate ways
- Responding to children and young people when they are distressed
- Easing the impact of trauma
- Living and working in community as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander or non-Indigenous worker
- Vicarious trauma, self-care and culturally appropriate supervision
The workshop is designed for:
This workshop is designed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers as well as non-Indigenous workers in the community services sector who work with our children and young people who are affected by trauma. These include in roles including specific family trauma roles, family support workers, counsellors, child protection, out-of-home care, social housing, early childhood, youth work and related fields. Participation in the workshop is encouraged for all workers who engage or want to engage with our children and young people affected by trauma.
Please register early to ensure your spot in this workshop.
For information and to register please contact Tanya Wells, at SNAICC:
Tanya.Wells@snaicc.org,au 03 9489 8099
Exciting opportunity to learn more about supporting Aboriginal children and their families in workshops about recognising and responding to trauma, the importance of culture and journeying to school. These workshops are supported by Yorganup and Coolabaroo in association with SNAICC.
On 1 September there was another 12.5% rise in the price of cigarettes, and for the first time, loose tobacco was also taxed in line with factory-made cigarettes, taking the price of an average pack of cigarettes or 25 gram pouch of loose tobacco to more than $30.
Health experts estimate 320,000 current smokers are likely to quit as a result of tax increases over the next four years.
It is undeniable that the tax increase will impact some people. It is now critical that health and community services work together to lessen the financial and health burden of tobacco on clients and staff. It will not only help them save money, but also their life.
For more information about how you and your organisation can support clients and staff who smoke please visit makesmokinghistory.org.au/communityservices or email makesmokinghistory@cancerwa.asn.au
Read Cancer Council WA's Make Smoking History E-News to find out which community services are currently working towards long lasting solutions to provide opportunities for supporting clients and staff who smoke.
Available via this link - http://mailchi.mp/1c3fad859019/make-smoking-history-e-news
Hi, my name is Kath Sugars and I am a PhD student at Murdoch University. Over the years, I have been involved in a number of nonprofit organisations, including schools, sporting clubs and charities, as an employee, volunteer and committee member. Two things I know for sure. One, there are a lot of caring and dedicated people in WA, working to help others. Two, arguing about how to do this is an inevitable and creative process.
From time to time these arguments don’t readily resolve, and can result in opposing factions, hostility, and even the loss of multiple members. This happens despite organisations establishing strong structures, good leadership and positive cultures.
I am especially curious about how these ‘schisms’ affect human beings, as well as teams and organisations. Therefore, I am beginning my project by listening to people who have had such an experience, and are willing to share their recollections and reflections with me. I hope to glean insights into how to respond to situations beyond the rational, the predictable and the controllable.
If you would be willing to share your story with me, as an individual or as a group, I would be honoured. Please be assured I would treat your confidences with the utmost respect, and no person or group will be identified in any publication.
Interviews are scheduled for one hour, at your convenience, and any further commitment is by mutual agreement. Please feel welcome to call and ask questions, or discuss how you may be involved. My principal supervisor at Murdoch University is Megan Paull, m.paull@murdoch.edu.au or 9360 6040. My ethics application has been approved (2016/229).
I can be contacted by phone 0414 302 451 or email kathsugars@gmail.com.
You’re at the front line of service delivery. It may seem that you can do little to respond to angry and abusive clients and customers. But you can!
This half day seminar (9:30am to 1pm) offers key principles and strategies to defuse clients' and customers' anger and reduce abusive behaviour right from the start.
It also assists to reduce your own stress levels.
Cost $110.
To enrol, please phone (08) 6164 0239.
This 2 day introductory workshop will be useful for those who are interested in becoming (clinical) supervisors, and for those supervisors who are looking for a 'refresher' or who are new to the role and looking to expand their knowledge and skills. This training is specific to the supervision of counsellors, social workers and case workers in the human services area.
When: Thurs/Fri 14 & 15 September 2017
Time: 9.00am to 4.30pm
Cost: $440
Where: Relationships Australia, Level 1/22 Southport St, West Leederville
Enrol: Please phone (08) 6164 0239
Please join us for the latest in our series of seminars detailing components of the Department of Health’s report, Incidence and Cost of Injury in Western Australia 2012. This briefing will provide an expert analysis of the impact of injuries sustained by older adults in WA, including health sector costs, long-term care costs, loss of paid productivity and loss of quality of life. Keynote presentations will be delivered from the perspectives of research, policy and practice, with a focus on how the data can be understood and applied to inform policy and program development, and strategies available to work with older adults. The briefing will also be available via video conference.
Date: Thursday 7 September
Time: 9.00am-10.00pm
Location: Grace Vaughan House Lecture Theatre, 227 Stubbs Terrace, Shenton Park, WA 6008
Cost: Free event with video conference available
Register: https://knowinjury.org.au/events-and-training/know-injury/
Child Australia and Playgroup WA are pleased to be bringing Dr Kaylene Henderson to Perth for two events on Thursday 24th August.
Dr Henderson is a trusted, highly experienced Child Psychiatrist, parenting specialist, keynote presenter, radio and print media contributor. The two opportunities to hear from Dr Henderson are as follows:
- Practitioner Master Class – “Exploring Challenging Behaviours”
This Master Class is designed to provide practical strategies to all practitioners working directly with children that would like to add new techniques to their professional toolkit. Helping to guide children through challenging behaviours can often be difficult to navigate, so we’ve asked Dr Henderson to provide research based, hands-on practical strategies for practitioners across all settings.
A certificate of completion will be provided post-master class.
- Parent Forum – “Guiding Emotions, Managing Meltdowns and Coping with Anxiety”
This Parent Forum will explore practical ways in which parents/carers can strengthen relationships with their children by providing them with new techniques for encouraging their child’s emotional resilience.
WACOSS members will receive a discount for these events as follows:
For any practitioners booking via WACOSS they can use the code:
- MasterClassWA (discount of 15% - $79 instead of $89)
For any parents/carers introduced via WACOSS members, they can use the code:
- ParentCarerWA (discount from $30 - $25)
'Homelessness Week Launch WA'
Monday 7th of August, 8.30-10.30am at The Platform, Level 3 256 Adelaide Tce
'Let's end homelessness, not just manage it' is the theme for Homelessness Week WA 2017, and the topic of discussion at the Homelessness Week Launch.
Join us in discussing this key issue with key speakers, including:
- Simone McGurk MLA - Minister for Child Protection; Women's Interest; Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence; Community Services;
- Kathleen Gregory AM - CEO of Foundation Housing, WA Council on Homelessness Chairperson, Shelter WA Board Member;
- Rick England - CEO of Albany Youth Support Association (AYSA)
- Professor Paul Flatau - Director, Centre for Social Impact, University of Western Australia
'Mental Health, Housing and Homelessness Forum'
Shelter WA is pleased to invite you to our event examining how our systems of government and community services can work more effectively to address homelessness and insecure housing among people with severe mental illness.
We are pleased to confirm that the Hon Roger Cook MLA, Deputy Premier, Minister for Health, Mental Health will be opening the event. He will be joined by the soon to be Director General of the Department of Community Services, Grahame Searle, the Mental Health Commissioner, Tim Marney, Acting Corrective Services Commissioner, Tony Hassall, Emergency Specialist at Royal Perth Hospital (RPH), Dr. Amanda Stafford, and Professor of Criminology and Academic Chair at the UNSW, Eileen Baldry
The morning will be structured in two parts. Registering for this event enables you to participate in both sessions, or one, it is your choice.
- FORUM: 9:00 – 11:00am: This forum that will cover how government can work more effectively to improve housing outcomes for those with severe mental illness. It will include presentations from the key speakers highlighted.
- 11.00 – 11.30: Light lunch
- WORKSHOP: 11:30am – 1:00pm, This workshop will be facilitated by Professor of Criminology and Academic Chair at the UNSW, Eileen Baldry, focussing on how the community sector can be a key driver in the reform process.
This event will be an example of collective thinking that can inform the Machinery of Government Reform process targeting a complex social issue.
To find out more about the events, check the link below:
http://www.shelterwa.org.au/homelessness_week
The Australian Not-for-Profit Workforce Study has been launched as the largest ever research study on and for NFP organisations, and all their employees and volunteers.
NATIONAL RESEARCH TO INFORM
- NFP Practice that enhances organisational leadership, capabilities and impact,
- NFP Policy that supports the sustainability and success of the sector, and
- NFP Funding that better invests in and converts capacity building.
PARTICIPATE & BENEFIT
- Organisations get a FREE Workforce Analytics Dashboard to better understand & manage their staff. No set up requires, it’s all online.
- Participants obtain immediately a FREE Personal Analytics Report on their work experience, job autonomy, wellbeing, professional development, and more.
- Contributing to and championing the research will advance the NFP sector at large - all findings will be shared for FREE. Be part of it!
GETTING STARTED
- Complete the online survey. No invitation required, go to learningforpurpose.org/study
- Invite your employees and volunteers, and get your FREE Workforce Analytics, go to learningforpurpose.org/analytics
- Share this opportunity with others in the NFP sector so they can benefit too!
This study is to help people like you, organisations like yours, and those you support.
The online survey is open until 31 October 2017.
The study is led by Learning for Purpose, Centre for Social Impact, The University of Western Australia, supported through the Australian Research Council, EY, Australian Scholarships Foundation, and Australian Executor Trustees. Data is used for research purposes only, securely stored, strictly confidential and subject to legal restrictions. Approved by the UWA Human Research Ethics Committee (RA/4/1/8885).
Third year Edith Cowan University students, completing a Community Nutrition unit, are being trained to deliver food literacy programs. Part of a work integrated learning opportunity and assessment is that they deliver this new found knowledge to clients of a Charitable Food Sector agency.
If you are interested in hosting two students, at your service for an information session, in the weeks beginning either the 16th or 27th October, 2017, please email Ros Sambell r.sambell@ecu.edu.au before 18th August, 2017.
Following the session services will be provided with resources and plans to support delivery of similar sessions in the future by the service.
The Berry Street Childhood Institute is proud to announce that as part of his 2017 Australian Tour, Richard Rose will for the first time be delivering a two-day workshop on Therapeutic Life Story Work on 11-12 September in Perth.
As a Fellow of the Berry Street Childhood Institute, Director of Child Trauma Intervention Services (UK) and Adjunct Associate Professor of Social Work and Social Policy at Latrobe University in Melbourne, Richard Rose is an leading expert on Therapeutic Life Story Work and working with 'hard to reach' children and young people.
During his Australian Tour, Richard will work with practitioners to enhance their engagement with children and young people affected by early life trauma. Through his innovative and creative techniques, Richard will demonstrate ways of working that enable placements to become healthy and nurturing through enhanced understanding and attachment, with the ultimate goal of helping these young people achieve their full potential.
During this two-day workshop, participants will be provided with an in-depth understanding of the Life Story process and how this work helps children make sense of the past, so that what has happened to them does not dominate, control or inhibit the present. Based on Richard's book 'Life Story Therapy with Traumatised Children - A Model for Practice', techniques will be demonstrated that have been successfully utilised to assist children to communicate their trauma.
What you will learn:
* gathering and collating information
* the importance of interpretive skills
* the significance of 'magical thinking'
* working with the 'stuck' child
* techniques for producing the Life Story book
If you would like further information about this workshop visit our website - www.childhoodinstitute.org.au/UpcomingEvents - or call our Training & Events Team on 03 9421 9362.
