General Issues
WORLD PLUMBING DAY 11 MARCH !!
The World Plumbing Council (WPC) has agreed to launch World Plumbing Day as a means of celebrating an promoting the importance of today's plumbing industry. The Day will take place on 11 March each year commencing in 2010 and plumbing organisations across the world are being encouraged to do something on that day which will help the public to have a better awareness of the significant role which plumbing plays.

WPC Chairman, Robert D Burgon (Scotland) comments: "In many developed countries there is an established plumbing industry which is too often taken for granted. Most people simply do not know that plumbing plays a major role in health protection and also in relation to the environment. In many developing countries there is a lack of access to safe water supply and sanitation which is costing many lives each year. We want World Plumbing Day to highlight all of these issues. WPC will be issuing press releases and will have a dedicated website for the Day. I would love to think that news media all over the world focus on plumbing on or around 11 March next year and every year thereafter".
 

Proposed Energy Acts Amendment Bill 2010 - Series produced Type B gas appliances.

For more information, please see a letter dated 19th January 2010 from the Government of Western Australia Department of Commerce EnergySafety.
 

Kickstart Bonus - Financial support available for employing australian apprentices!

Every employer who employs an Australian Plumbing Apprentice, who meets the requirements of the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program, is elligible for the Kickstart Bonus! For more information, contact your Australian Apprenticeships Centre.
Eligibility Criteria – the Australian Apprentice must:
. commence between 1 December 2009 and 28 February 2010
. be aged 19 years or under on the date of commencement
. be undertaking a Cert III or IV level qualification listed on the NSNL (National Skills Needs List)
. the STA has approved the Training Contract
. be eligible to attract the standard commencement incentive
Payments
$850 – three months from date of commencement (Commencement Bonus)
$2500 – nine months from date of commencement (Retention Bonus)
Claim Forms
Claim forms will automatically be generated as the milestones for payments are reached. The Kickstart Commencement Bonus will be included on the claim form for the standard commencement incentive. A new claim form will be sent at the 9 month point for the retention Bonus.
Capped Program
The Kickstart measure is capped at 21,000 Australian Apprentices nationally. All AACs are required to report names of potentially eligible sign ups weekly to DEEWR so that the uptake can be closely monitored. We will ensure that all names are added to our report on the day of sign up and provided to DEEWR by noon each Friday for the period of the measure.
 

Update on the National Licensing System. For more information click here!

 

Wageline Watch - Are you a sole trader or partnership?

Then this information applies to your business. Making deductions from employees wages. State employment legislation prohibits an employer from making any type of deduction from wages, without prior written authorisation from the employee. The State Minimum Conditions of Employment Act 1993 outlines the circumstances where an authorised deduction may occur:
· when an amount is authorised in writing by the employee to deduct and pay on behalf of the employee;· when an amount is authorised to be deducted and paid on behalf of the employee under an award or contract of employment; or
· when the employer is authorised or required to deduct by order of a court.
If a deduction from wages is made by an employer and it is determined to be unauthorised, a claim for under payment of wages can be made against the employer.Wageline often gets calls from employees working in retail and hospitality where they have been supplied with a uniform and without notice the cost of the uniform has been deducted from pay. Another common example is where the cash register does not balance and the shortfall is taken from the employee's wages. The worst example occurs in petrol stations where drivers fill up with fuel and drive away and the attendant is required to pay for the fuel. All of these circumstances would constitute an unauthorised deduction from pay unless the employee had given prior written authorisation. In some cases employees can work for many hours and receive no payment because of the magnitude of the deductions. Employers should consider the implications of their policies and practices in relation to authorised and unauthorise.
 

New Course

Home Sustainability Assessors need to be certified under the Home Sustainabillity Assesment Scheme (HSAS) to conduct assessment as part of the Australian Government Green Loans Program. The course prepares people to conduct Home Sustainability Assessments and to ensure that they are suitably qualified and experienced. Enrol NOW!
 

Nation Building - Economic Stimulus Plan

The Commonwealth Coordinator-General's Progress Report which covers progress of the first quarter of the Australian Government's $42 billion Nation Building - Economic Stimulus Plan has been released 27th August 2009 and can be found at www.australia.gov.au/economicstimulus. A transcript of Minister Arbib's speech releasing the report will shortly be available at www.deewr.gov.au/Ministers/arbib.
 

Sink and Basin installation update

Published letter from the Plumbers Licensing Board.
 
The Australian Government has released the final legislation for the expanded Renewable Energy Target (RET) which will allow for the creation of new ‘Solar Credits' to replace the existing Solar Homes and Communities Plan (SHCP) from today onwards.
 

Boosts for Sustainable Energy in the State Budget

A quick snap shot of measures in the state budget.
$13.5million will be allocated over four years to introduce of a gross feed-in tariff for renewable energy (the start date is yet to be confirmed but is likely to be post 1 July 2009), and a further $6.5million will be available over the next three years for the expanded solar schools program.

The State Government will invest a further $2.5million in 2009 10 to extend the Solar Hot Water Subsidy scheme.

The Renewable Remote Power Generation Program (RRPGP) will be funded in Western Australia only until 2012.

There are also significant network investments which will be of interest to some large scale renewable projects.

Please visit WASEA' s website for more information!

 

Security of Payments

Specialist advisory service for contractors and suppliers under the Building & Construction Industry Security of Payments Act 1999.
 

Mutual Recognition for occupational licences in Australia

This website allows the user to look up a licence entitlement; in another state or territory and has information on who to contact; to apply for a licence.
 

“Latest news on Gas Industry Infringement Notices Modified Penalties”

The MPGA submitted feedback to Energy safety and are working them to achieve an outcome based on our industry feedback. See the latest correspondence on the issue.
 

The cost-effectiveness analysis of WELS has been released for publication today (20/02/2009).

The publication analyses the cost-effectiveness of WELS in contributing to the overarching objective of water security in Australia when compared to other urban water management options. The analysis uses a time horizon of 2005-06 to 2020-21, consistent with the timelines used in the toilet opportunities study and our regulation impact statements.

The publication can be found at http://www.waterrating.gov.au/publications/cost-effectiveness-of-wels.html.

WELS Compliance now has its own dedicated inbox. Please direct all your allegations of non-compliance against the WELS Act to welscompliance@environment.gov.au in the first instance.

 

2009 Public Holidays & RDO's

To download a copy of this information please click here.
 
 
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