Consumer and Business Services, South Australia

⚠️SA building industry - penalties have increased, along with new expiations.

💵$5,000 – unlicensed work or misleading advertising
💵$20,000 – no building indemnity insurance (BII)
💵$5,000 – improper payment demands
💵$5,000 – unreasonable building contracts

Make sure you understand and follow the new laws.

🔗https://www.cbs.sa.gov.au/campaigns/south-australias-building-and-construction-industry-changes

Does your business provide contractors or employees to other businesses?

You may need a labour hire licence by 29 July.

Applications can take up to 6 weeks to be processed.

Act quickly so you don't miss the deadline!

Apply now 🔗 https://ow.ly/w9hz50Z31pH

Businesses: check your contracts.

Using unfair terms in a standard form ‘take it or leave it’ contract is illegal, and heavy penalties can apply.

A term may be unfair if it’s one sided, harms customers, and isn’t genuinely needed by your business.

Customers don’t have to follow unfair terms. 🙅

Know the rules to avoid a

Visit 🔗 https://www.cbs.sa.gov.au/campaigns/your-fair-trading-rights

Unexpected sales call or knock at the door? Take a moment to pause. ⏸️

Remember - you don’t have to sign anything just because you’re asked.

Know your rights: you can walk away or hang up - and they’re legally required to respect that.

If you do sign up, the law gives you a 10-day cooling off period to reconsider. 🔁🤔

You don’t need to feel like you’re caught in a fail.

Know your rights with unsolicited sales. Visit 🔗 https://www.cbs.sa.gov.au/campaigns/your-fair-trading-rights

🔎 Stronger focus on building work in SA

CBS has formed a dedicated team focusing on:
• unlicensed building work
• misleading advertising
• missing BII
• improper payment demands.

More checks and enforcement action are now underway.

Review your obligations and follow the new laws.

Call 131 882 for advice.

🔗 https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/rights-and-law/consumer-rights/disputes/disputes-with-a-builder-or-tradesperson

Do you supply workers to other businesses in South Australia?

You may need a labour hire licence by July 29.

Applications could take up to 6 weeks to be processed, so apply now: https://ow.ly/Jkjh50Z31j1

At 94, Reg Palmer is still giving back.

We’re proud to celebrate Reginald Ernest Palmer OAM, who has served the South Australian community as a Justice of the Peace for more than 70 years.

Reg joined the Attorney-General’s Department JP Volunteer Service in 2013 and continues to volunteer from the Consumer and Business Services Customer Service Centre.

His contribution to the community goes far beyond his JP work. In 2024, Reg was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for his service to primary and secondary education, following a 40-year teaching career.

Thank you, Reg, for your extraordinary commitment to public service, education and the South Australian community.

(L to R: Chris Byron-Scott - CBS Registrar, Reg Palmer, Brett Humphrey - CBS Commissioner)

Our services will be closed on Monday, 8 June 2026 for the King’s Birthday public holiday.

They will return as normal from 9am Tuesday.

In an emergency, dial Triple Zero (000).

Been given an unfair contract? The law protects you.

All terms in a standard form ‘take it or leave it’ contract must be fair.

If it’s one-sided or could cause you harm - and you can’t cancel the contract - it may be unfair.

🚫 You don’t have to accept unfair terms.
👉 Challenge it or report it.

Caught in a !?

Know your rights 🔗https://www.cbs.sa.gov.au/campaigns/your-fair-trading-rights