Dispute Resolution Services Update

From 1 March 2009, under a new pilot program, licensed builders and tradespeople will be able to access Fair Trading's free dispute resolution services if a dispute occurs with a consumer over a residential building issue.

Trader to trader home building disputes will continue to be handled by the Tribunal.

If you have any questions about this new service for licensees, call Norm Foster on 4702 5339 or contact us at the email address below:

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From '1st July 2010' the fees for many of the services provided by NSW Fair Trading will be changing in line with the consumer price index (CPI).

In most cases fees will increase by 2.18%, which represents the movement in the sydney CPI from December 2008 to December 2009.

Since 2000, NSW Fair Trading fees have been reviewed annually and the fee amounts adjusted to reflect changes in the CPI. The annual review also provides an opportunity to adjust fees for changes in circumstances or clarify the application of a particular fee.

A list of new fees will be on the NSW Fair Trading website from 1st July at wwwfairtrading.nsw.gov.au

For further enquiries about the changes to fees can be directed to NSW Fair Trading on 13 32 20.

Warning on Trades Licensing

NSW State Government plans to remove licensing requirements for several trades will strip consumers of an important layer of protection. The decision to remove the licensing requirements was made after public consultation by the NSW Better Regulation Office.

The Master Builders Association is upset about the Government's move to remove licensing requirements for some home building and renovation tradespeople, especially pre-purchase property inspectors.

"It's not what the industry wants, and it certainly isn't what consumers want", said the director of the association's housing division, Peter Meredith.

The Sydney Morning Herald. JUNE- 2009

Owner Builder Course Changes,1st Sept 2010

The NSW Office of Fair Trading has developed a new course for Owner Builder education.

From 30 August 2010, this new course will be the only accredited New South Wales Course in Owner Builder Compliance. It will be a two day Workshop, delivered by approved Providers. See our Courses Section to enrol in this NEW Course, which must be completed for Owner Builder Permits from 1st January 2011.

The existing approved Owner Building Courses will cease being offered on 29 August 2010. However, Permits will be issued to Owner Builders who have completed the existing approved courses and who have obtained their Certificate of Attainment, when lodged before 31st December 2010.

From 1 January 2011, only the New South Wales Course in Owner Builder Compliance can be submitted with an application for a  Permit.

This page is currently under construction.

This Online CPD Hiring Foreign Workers Course covers the ways that licensed builders in NSW can hire foreign workers, language, legal, illegal, special skills and Visa issues.

Expression of Interest CPD Courses

Undertaking this course earns you 2 CPD Points.

Course Outline

1. Hiring Foreign Workers

• the “457”program
• sponsorship
• what jobs ?
• what jobs not eligible?
• sponsored workers’ skill level

2. Do I have to do anything special for their differences?

• English language
• Who does the new English language requirement apply to?
• I am a Subclass 457 visa holder, do the changes affect me?
• The nomination process
• Visa application
• Fee

3. I did not know he was an illegal immigrant

• employer obligations
• monitoring requirements
• employer sanctions
• who are affected

4. He is only on a limited visa which will soon expire
who are illegal workers?
who is affected by the new offences?
what it means to be “reckless”

5. I want to bring special people into the country for this job

• how the Department can help you
• possibility of prospective worker being an illegal worker
• avoiding discrimination
• how much time will I have to check
• work rights?
• higher penalties where illegal worker
• is being exploited
• employer Nomination Schemes (ENS)

 

Once you have completed this course, you will need to fill out and submit the Acknowledgement Form.The Acknowledgement Form must be completed and submitted as soon as practicable after having completed this course. If we do not receive this completed form from you, it cannot verify that you have successfully completed this course should you be audited by the NSW Office of Fair Trading.

This Online CPD Personal Injury Course outlines the important practical and legal matters which need to be followed

Expression of Interest CPD Courses

Undertaking this course earns you 2 CPD Points.

Course Outline

1. An introduction To Personal Injury

• Who and what are we talking about here?
• Common Law/Workers Compensation
• Who pays what to whom

2. Do I need a lawyer?

• Merits of Legal Advice
• Legal Fees

3. Do I have to go to Court?

• And if I do, which Court do I go to?
• Assessment of Injuries : CARS procedures

4. What if the Court gets it wrong:

• and I am not satisfied with the result ?

Once you have completed this course, you will need to fill out and submit the Acknowledgement Form.The Acknowledgement Form must be completed and submitted as soon as practicable after having completed this course. If we do not receive this completed form from you, it cannot verify that you have successfully completed this course should you be audited by the NSW Office of Fair Trading.

Learn about the Dispute Resolution – Mediation. This Online Dispute Resolution – Mediation CPD Course provides an insight and guidelines to helpful processes and paths in managing such eventualities.

Expression of Interest CPD Courses

Undertaking this course earns you 2 CPD Points.

Course Outline

1. Introduction – Forms of dispute resolution

2. Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR)

3. Mediation

• Appointment of a Mediator
• Mediation Agreement
• Pre – Mediation Agreement
• The Mediation
• Tips on Negotiation
• Agreement
• Benefits of Mediation

3. Arbitration

• Agreement to Arbitrate
• Benefits of Arbitration
• The Arbitration Process
• Arbitrator’s Remuneration
• Award
• Judicial Review

4. Other Forms of Dispute Resolution

• Conciliation
• Expert Determination

5. Summary

 

Once you have completed this course, you will need to fill out and submit the Acknowledgement Form.The Acknowledgement Form must be completed and submitted as soon as practicable after having completed this course. If we do not receive this completed form from you, it cannot verify that you have successfully completed this course should you be audited by the NSW Office of Fair Trading.

Learn about the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 (NSW), and how it applies to people who are claiming money, as well people who have had money claimed against them. This Online CPD Course is an important insight into the Act, its implications and its applications.

Expression of Interest CPD Courses

Undertaking this course earns you 2 CPD Points.

Course Outline

This course will introduce you to Building and Construction Industry Security of Payments Act 1999 ("the SoPA"). To understand how the SoPA works you must understand basic contract law. See our Course on contract law. This Online CPD course for NSW Builders includes :

• what the Security of Payment Laws encompass
• progress payments, rights and obligations
• adjudication of payment disputes

Once you have completed this course, you will need to complete and send the Acknowledgement Form to the course provider. This should be completed and submitted as soon as possible on completing this course.

In this Online CPD Family Law in the Workplace Course, you will learn   .

Expression of Interest CPD Courses

Undertaking this course earns you 2 CPD Points.

Course Outline

1. Introduction 1

2. Family Law Act 2

3. Property (Relationships) Act 2

4. Subpoena and non-party production

• Subpoena to produce documents
• Subpoena to produce documents and to give evidence
• Subpoena to give evidence
• Non-party production
• Conduct money

5. Superannuation

• Splitting and Flagging Orders
• Superannuation Information Kit

6. Less common issues you may face

• Family Violence and Apprehended Violence Orders
• Access to information regarding the location of a child
• Providing information to a Family Consultant or
• Independent Children’s Lawyer

Once you have completed this course, you will need to fill out and submit the Acknowledgement Form.The Acknowledgement Form must be completed and submitted as soon as practicable after having completed this course. If we do not receive this completed form from you, it cannot verify that you have successfully completed this course should you be audited by the NSW Office of Fair Trading.