Pesky sales calls banned after 6pm
Pesky phone calls and door knocks at home may be a thing of the past.
The State Government's amendments to the Australian Consumer Law (WA) means unsolicited contact after 6pm on weekdays will be banned from tomorrow.
The community strongly supported the change, which attempts to end phone and door-to-door salespeople disturbing people in the evenings, Commerce Minister Michael Mischin said.
Sellers had been allowed to approach consumers uninvited "at a place away from their business premises" between 9am and 8pm during the week.
Mr Mischin said public consultation undertaken by Consumer Protection showed 96 per cent of West Australian respondents wanted to follow the lead of other States in limiting calling hours.
"There are few greater nuisances than sitting down to a meal with the family after a long day at work and having your personal time interrupted by a phone call or knock on the door from a stranger trying to sell you something," Mr Mischin said.
"Now uninvited sellers of goods and services can only doorknock or phone between 9am and 6pm on weekdays in WA, a reduction of two hours from the previous 8pm limit.
"WA now has the same rules as the rest of Australia, which should help avoid confusion for both industry and consumers.
"Already, Australia-wide, calling hours are limited to between 9am and 5pm on Saturdays and no calling is permitted on Sundays. This will not change."
Requests for donations to charities are not considered an unsolicited consumer agreement because they do not involve a supply of goods or services.
People who do not want any sellers to visit their house uninvited should display a "Do Not Knock" sticker, which can be ordered from Consumer Protection by calling 1300 304 054 or emailing consumer@commerce.wa.gov .au.
To avoid unwanted sales calls, sign up to the "Do Not Call" register at donotcall.gov.au.
