Many Tradies do the Right Thing. Cleaning up the Rest

With thousands of building and trades jobs undertaken every year in South Australia, it is pleasing that so many tradies operate within the law and provide high quality trades services to their customers. Consumer and Business Services (CBS) is constantly monitoring the building and trades sector to check for compliance and take action where potential breaches are detected.

Building and trades matters investigated over the past year relate to unlicensed activity, non-compliant building quotes and poor conduct. As a result of CBS’ compliance and enforcement activities there were court imposed fines issued and written assurances received from traders that they will not engage in unlawful conduct.

In one particular case, the company was licensed to contract for plumbing, gas fitting and electrical work, however its conduct was unfair, improper and negligent.

The company provided false or misleading information to customers about the price of materials and services and also about the need for particular services. The company and its two directors were formally reprimanded by the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal and fined a total of $20,000. In some cases once compliance action has been taken, traders will subsequently apply for a licence. In weighing up whether to grant a licence CBS will consider things such as previous breaches and the extent of any detriment caused to consumers, and of course whether the applicant meets all the licensing criteria – e.g. qualifications, experience, net assets and a police check.

Compliance and enforcement action helps to clean up individuals and companies that flout licensing and consumer protection laws and taint this very hard-working industry. It also helps to remind all builders and tradies that they must know their legal requirements and fulfil their responsibilities.

CBS is reminding plumbers to make sure that they: • Hold the correct licence/registration to cover the work that they currently contract for and/or perform.

• Only subcontract out work to a suitably licensed business or company.

• Only advertise for work that is covered by their licence.

• Include their licence number in any advertising to the public, including on their website, business card and trade vehicle, as well as any paid advertising on radio, television, online or in a newspaper.

• Provide an itemised bill to consumers within 7 days if requested by the consumer.

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DON’T DIG IT... RELINE IT

Plumbers who branch out into bigger building projects such as kitchen or bathroom renovations are reminded to make sure they hold a building work contractor’s licence and that they meet all the other obligations of builders where required – e.g. written contracts, building indemnity insurance and the rules around accepting deposits and payments from customers.

Over the summer months CBS will continue to keep an eye out for itinerant tradies that approach consumers and businesses offering to provide repairs or maintenance services, particularly as there may be more movement of people across state and territory borders.

Itinerant tradies are often not licensed and their work is substandard – if they actually do any work. Some dodgy tradies have been known to take deposits from unsuspecting customers and not return to provide any services.

CBS welcomes reports from members of the building and trades industry and also from the public if you suspect unlicensed or unregistered trades activity.

You can report via the online form at www.cbs.sa.gov.au/contact or call CBS on 131 882.

50 YEAR MEMBERS

A S Carlson & Sons Pty Ltd Baldwin’s Plumbing & Gas Bruce Harris Project Management Pty Ltd BT & RB Foreman Dineen Plumbing Eco Green Plumbing

E J Northway & Son Pty Ltd F S Scott & Co Pty Ltd Glenelg Plumbing Services Pty Ltd Hall & Baum N D Birchmore Pty Ltd Victor Plumbing Service

LIFE MEMBERS

D. J. HEBBARD J. HOLDER R. R. FARNHAM S. B. HALL T. DRIVER B.HARRIS

100 YEAR MEMBER

Renewable Gas. We’re changing gas, for good.

Renewable gas (such as hydrogen) provides all the great benefits of natural gas, but has zero carbon emissions.

It has already started making its way into homes in Mitchell Park, South Australia as a blend of natural gas and hydrogen.

By continuing to support gas infrastructure, you will be ‘renewable gas ready’ when we start delivering. By 2030, we aim to have the whole of network supplied with 10% renewable gas blend, with an aspiration to shift to 100% renewable gas by 2040.

Did you know that from 1 November 2021, any new employees that you hire will be stapled to one super fund?

The stapled fund will follow them when they change jobs. If a new employee doesn’t actively choose a super fund, you’ll need to search for their stapled fund via the ATO. Need more information? Visit cbussuper.com.au/stapling to find out what your super obligations are.