Draining Testing Reminder

Building and Energy is reminding licensed plumbers of their obligations to test sanitary plumbing and sanitary drainage installations to ensure they are water-tight prior to backfill. Tests conducted by Building and Energy’s plumbing compliance team has identified a high rate of non-compliance when the drains were tested by inspectors. “Carrying out the required tests before backfill is obviously far more straightforward compared to costly, complex and timeconsuming testing and rectifications later on when other work has progressed at the site,” Building and Energy Executive Director Saj Abdoolakhan said. “It is unacceptable to cut any corners during high-risk work such as drainage, which can have community health and environmental impacts.” Section 15 of the Plumbing Standards AS/NZS 3500.2:2018 outlines the requirements and methods for hydrostatic, air pressure or vacuum testing of all new, repaired or replaced sanitary plumbing and sanitary drainage installations to show they are watertight prior to burial. Last year, Building and Energy published Industry Bulletin 133 (available at commerce.wa.gov.au/publications) which provides more information on drainage testing and notification requirements. Before 4.30pm every Wednesday, licensed plumbers are required to provide details to the Plumbers Licensing Board about any sanitary drainage work they carried out in the past seven days.

Gas safety campaign on appliance servicing

Building and Energy’s latest gas safety campaign is emphasising the importance of regular servicing of gas appliances and highlighting that faulty, poorly maintained or misused gas heaters can cause a build-up of potentially lethal carbon monoxide gas. “This campaign features the ticking sound that many gas heaters make when they start up and asks the audience ‘Is your heater trying to tell you something?’” Building and Energy Executive Director Saj Abdoolakhan said. “We hope this prompts people to think about when their gas heater was last serviced. We are advising that they should contact a licensed gas fitter if it has been more than two years since the last service – or arrange an annual service for appliances that are more than 10 years old – or if the heater is showing signs such as discolouration or difficulty relighting.” For more information on the campaign, search online for “safe and warm” or visit dmirs.wa.gov.au/safeandwarm.

Payment Times Reporting Scheme

The Australian Government’s Payment Times Reporting Scheme is up and running.

The aim of the scheme, which began in January this year, is to improve payment times for Australia’s small businesses. It does this by compelling large businesses to declare how and when they pay their small business suppliers. For the purposes of the scheme, a ‘large business’ is one with an annual turnover greater than $100 million, or one with an annual turnover greater than $10 million that is part of a group with a total turnover greater than $100 million. A ‘small business’ is defined as one that operates in Australia, has an ABN and an annual turnover below $10 million.

The scheme is administered by the Payment Times Reporting Regulator.

How the scheme works

Reporting entities use the Payment Times Reporting Portal to submit their reports, which they must do twice a year and within three months of the end of each six-month reporting period. For example, if a company’s financial year ended on 30 June 2021, their first reporting period under the scheme was January to June and they must submit their Payment Times Report no later than 30 September. Reports will include aggregate data about standard payment periods and the proportion and value of invoices paid within specified time bands. Once submitted, they will be available to the public at no charge.

Small Business Identification Tool

A feature of the scheme is the Small Business Identification Tool, which assists large businesses to identify their small business suppliers. A business that does not want to be identified as a small business can use the Payment Times Reporting Portal to opt out of the tool. If they do, they will not be included in the reports. Businesses can also check their details in the tool and update anything that is incorrect.

What you need to do

If you have a business with an annual turnover below $10 million, you do not need to do anything unless you want to opt out of the Small Business Identification Tool or use it to check that your details are correct.

If you have a business that falls under the definition of a large business, you should make yourself aware of the details of the scheme and your reporting obligations.

For more information

Go to www.industry.gov.au/regulations-and-standards/ payment-times-reporting-schemeArticle supplied by the Building and Energy Division of DMIRS.