Consumer Protection (Western Australia)

Consumer Protection sits within the Western Australian Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) and is the state regulator for residential tenancies in Western Australia. It administers the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 (Western Australia) and the rental reforms phased in from 2024, including the 12-month rent-increase frequency cap, expanded grounds for pet keeping, the framework for minor modifications, and the Commissioner-determination process for disputed pet and modification decisions.

Bonds are held by the Bond Administrator, a separate trust function operated alongside Consumer Protection. Lodgement and disposal of bonds runs through the Bond Administrator’s online portal. Western Australia differs from most other Australian states in that residential tenancy disputes are heard by the Magistrates Court of Western Australia rather than a dedicated civil and administrative tribunal — the Magistrates Court can order bond release, rent reductions, work orders for repairs, termination, and compensation.

Records a Western Australian landlord or property manager should keep aligned to Consumer Protection published guidance: the Form 1AA Residential Tenancy Agreement, Property Condition Report at start and end of tenancy, Form 1 bond lodgement and Form 4 disposal-of-bond records, Form 10 rent-increase notice honouring the 12-month interval, repair request records, Commissioner determinations on pet or modification disputes, and Magistrates Court orders where applicable.