Perth Telemarketing & Online Scam Bylaws Guide

Business and Consumer Protection Western Australia 3 Minutes Read ยท published February 11, 2026 Flag of Western Australia

Perth, Western Australia residents face rising telemarketing and online sales scams. This guide explains how local and national rules apply in Perth, how to spot common scam types, and what enforcement and reporting pathways are available to consumers and small businesses.

Penalties & Enforcement

Responsibility for regulating telemarketing and unsolicited calls sits primarily with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), while consumer protection complaints and business conduct issues are handled by the Western Australian Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) and, where fraud is suspected, by WA Police. Specific monetary penalties at the City of Perth municipal level for telemarketing or online sales scams are not specified on the cited City pages; enforcement and penalties are chiefly set out in federal and state instruments and on the ACMA and DMIRS pages cited belowACMA Do Not Call information[1]DMIRS Consumer Protection[3].

  • Fines: exact monetary amounts for telemarketing breaches are not specified on the City of Perth pages; see ACMA for federal enforcement guidance and DMIRS for state consumer remediesACMA Do Not Call information[1].
  • Escalation: enforcement may begin with warnings and compliance notices, escalating to infringement notices or court action where permitted; precise escalation ranges are not specified on the cited municipal pages.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: orders to cease conduct, injunctions, and criminal charges for fraud are possible under relevant federal or state law; municipal action may focus on local permit or trading prohibitions where applicable.
  • Enforcers and complaint pathways: ACMA handles Do Not Call and telemarketing rules; DMIRS handles state consumer complaints; WA Police investigate alleged fraud. To report suspected scams, use the official reporting pages listed belowScamWatch[2].
Keep records of calls, messages and transaction details to support complaints or police reports.

Applications & Forms

No City of Perth permit is required to register on the national Do Not Call Register; individuals and numbers can be registered on the ACMA Do Not Call pageACMA Do Not Call information[1]. To make an official consumer complaint in Western Australia, use DMIRS consumer complaint submission options on the DMIRS site; specific form names and fees are not specified on the cited pageDMIRS Consumer Protection[3].

How enforcement works in practice

When a complaint is lodged, agencies may investigate and share information with affected parties and other regulators. If the matter involves potential criminal conduct, WA Police will normally be involved. For scams that exploit telecommunications systems, ACMA can take specific compliance action under the Do Not Call and Spam frameworks.

  • Record-keeping: keep timestamps, caller ID, text/email copies and screenshots.
  • Do not transfer funds or share identification without verification.
  • Report promptly: use ScamWatch to notify ACCC and DMIRS for state complaints.
Reporting early increases chances of recovery and helps enforcement agencies track patterns.

FAQ

How can I stop telemarketing calls?
Register your number on the national Do Not Call Register via ACMA and lodge complaints for persistent callers through ACMA or DMIRS where appropriate.
How do I report an online sales scam in Perth?
Report scams to ScamWatch (ACCC) and to DMIRS for state-level consumer assistance; if you suspect fraud, also contact WA Police.
Can the City of Perth fine scammers directly?
The City of Perth does not publish specific telemarketing fine amounts on its public pages; enforcement for telemarketing and online sales scams is primarily through federal and state regulatorsDMIRS Consumer Protection[3].

How-To

  1. Identify red flags: unsolicited pressure to pay, requests for unusual payment methods, or offers that sound too good to be true.
  2. Collect evidence: save messages, take screenshots, note call times and numbers.
  3. Check registers: verify caller identity and see whether your number is listed on the Do Not Call Register.
  4. Report: lodge a report with ScamWatch and submit a consumer complaint to DMIRS; contact WA Police for suspected fraud.
  5. Protect accounts: change passwords, notify your bank, and monitor statements for unauthorised activity.

Key Takeaways

  • Use the national Do Not Call Register to reduce unsolicited calls.
  • Keep evidence and report quickly to ScamWatch and DMIRS.
  • For suspected criminal fraud, contact WA Police.

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