Indigenous consumers
Indigenous consumers are an integral part of the Western Australian community. Consumer Protection is committed to delivering information and services to Indigenous consumers in Western Australia.
Indigenous consumers are particularly vulnerable in remote areas because of the lack of competition and enforcement of consumer protection laws.
We develop publications designed specifically for Indigenous consumers and make these available via our website, regional offices or by phoning our advice line.
The links below for more information on the program and the services we offer.
Western Australian Indigenous program initiatives:
Department of Commerce Indigenous consumer education program
Our objective is to provide relevant and appropriate education to Indigenous consumers in Western Australian.
We have adopted an Indigenous Consumers Education Plan [PDF 15kb], which determines our strategies in developing publications and education programs.
Don't get ripped off audio series
Consumer Protection produced a series of radio announcements targetting Indigenous consumer issues:
Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), produced Money talks, a series of short audio segments for Indigenous people about making good money decisions, available on their FIDO website.
Publications
Consumer Protection has developed a number of publications of Indigenous consumers including:
- Indigenous Consumers Count report
- Three guides for renting a place in WA
- Good book up bad book up
- When the repoman comes
Consumer Protection produces a variety of publications on consumer issues including: How to ease the credit squeeze, Managing and avoiding debt: A young person's guide and Consumer rights when it all goes wrong.
To order any of Consumer Protection publications please contact:
Email
In Person: 219 St. Georges Terrace, PERTH WA 6000
Phone: 1300 30 40 54
National Relay Service: 13 36 77 (for the hearing impaired)
Renting a Place in WA
This series of three booklets aim to better prepare Indigenous consumers to secure, maintain and leave rental accommodation in both private and DHW tenancies by explaining both their rights and responsibilities.
The booklets are presented in a format designed to be read with an advocate or support worker. The publications are a direct result of Consumer Protection meeting Indigenous consumer needs as highlighted in the “Indigenous Consumers Count” report.
- Getting a place [PDF 1.32mb]
- Keeping a place [PDF 1.36mb]
- Leaving a place [PDF 1.37mb]
Indigenous Consumers Count
Indigenous Consumers Count report [PDF 1.mb] is a first of its kind to examine consumer issues faced by Indigenous Western Australians and whether the current provision of consumer protection services adequately meet the needs of this diverse population.
The report was based on research conducted by Consumer Protection in 2004-05, and looked at the perceptions of advocates and service providers from organisations concerned with the needs of Indigenous Western Australian consumers.
The objectives of the research project were to:
- identify the main consumer issues facing Indigenous Western Australians;
- assess the current provision of Consumer Protection services to Indigenous consumers, and
- gain feedback on proposed Consumer Protection initiatives for Indigenous consumers.