Vocational Regulation

The State Administrative Tribunal handles three types of vocational applications. The SAT:

hears disciplinary complaints brought by vocational bodies against members of the vocation or occupation;
reviews decisions made by regulatory bodies regarding licences to operate in an occupation; and
reviews decisions regarding fidelity and compensation funds.

Which enabling laws give the SAT the power to make decisions?

The following laws give the SAT the power to make disciplinary decisions or to review licensing decisions. The relevant vocational board or government department is also listed.

Act	Vocational Group/Board	Original/ Disciplinary	Review/ Licensing	Contact details
Architects Act 2004	Architects Board of WA	*	*	Website Ph 9321 4910
Child Care Services Act 2007			*
Chiropractors Act 2005	Chiropractors Registration Board		*	Website Ph 9321 8499
Debt Collectors Licensing Act 1964	Debt Collectors*	*	*	Department of Consumer and Employment Protection Ph 1300 30 40 54
Dental Act 1939	Dental Board of WA	*	*	Website Ph 9321 8499
Dental Prosthetists Act 1985	Dental Prosthetists Advisory Committee	*	*	Ph 9313 0555
Electricity (Licensing) Regulations 1991(given effect by s 32(3)(faa) Electricity Act 1945)	Electrical Licensing Board		*	Website Ph 9422 5200
Employment Agents Act 1976	Employment Agents*	*	*	Ph 9282 0834
Hairdressers Registration Act 1946	Hairdressers Registration Board of WA	*	*	Ph 9328 5899
Human Reproductive Technology Act 1991	Providers of services related to assisted Reproductive Technology*	*	*
Land Valuers Licensing Act 1978	Land Valuers Licensing Board	*	*	Department of Consumer and Employment Protection Complaints ph 1300 304 054 Licensing ph 9282 0837 Website
Legal Practice Act 2003	Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal	*	*	Ph 9325 1311 Website
Licensed Surveyors Act 1909	Land Surveyors Licensing Board	*	*	Website Ph 9273 7103
Medical Act 1894	Medical Board of Western Australia	*	*	Website Ph 9481 1011
Medical Radiation Technologists Act 2006			*
Motor Vehicle Dealers Act 1973	Motor Vehicle Dealers Licensing Board	*	*	Ph 9282 0777
Motor Vehicle Drivers Instructors Act 1963	Motor Vehicle Drivers Instructors		*	Ph 9216 8000 licensing and complaints
Nurses and Midwives Act 2006	Nurses and Midwives Board of Western Australia	*	*	Website Ph 9421 1100
Occupational Therapists Act 2005	Occupational Therapists Registration Board	*	*	Website Ph 9368 2655
Optometrists Act 2005	Optometrists Registration Board	*	*	Website Ph 9321 8499
Osteopaths Act 2005	Osteopaths Registration Board	*	*	Ph 9368 2633
Painters' Registration Act 1961	Painters' Registration Board	*	*	Ph 9476 1212 Website
Pharmacy Act 1964	Pharmaceutical Council of WA	*	*	Website Ph 9388 2886
Physiotherapists Act 2005	Physiotherapists Registration Board	*		Website Ph 9368 2644
Podiatrists Act 2005	Podiatrists Registration Board	*		Website Ph 9321 8499
Professional Combat Sports Act 1987	Professional Combat Sports Commission		*	Website Ph 9492 9745
Psychologists Act 2005	Psychologists Board of WA	*	*	Website Ph 9321 8499
Real Estate and Business Agents Act 1978	Real Estate and Business Agents Supervisory Board	*	*	Website Ph 9282 0843
Security and Related Activities (Control) Act 1996	Security Agents*	*	*	WA Police Service Ph 9231 7199
Settlement Agents Act 1981	Settlement Agents Supervisory Board	*	*	Website Ph 9282 0844
Travel Agents Act 1985	Travel Agents*	*	*	Department of Consumer and Employment Protection Ph 1300 304 054
Veterinary Surgeons' Act 1960	Veterinary Surgeons' Board	*	*	Website Ph 9367 4674
W.A. Marine (Certificates of Comptency and Safety Manning) Regulations 1983, given effect to by s 10(f) and (g) of the WA Marine Act 1982		*
Water Services Licensing (Plumbers Licensing and Plumbing Standards) Regulations 2000, given effect to by s 61 Water Services Licensing Act 1995		*	*
Workers' Compensation and Injury Management Regulations 1982		*
Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004		*

* No separate board

Where do I go if I have a complaint about a regulated occupation?

You must contact the relevant vocational board or body and ask them to investigate the matter. The board will decide if the matter should be referred to the SAT.

The vocational boards that can bring matters to the SAT are listed in the table.

Where do I go if I want a vocational licensing decision reviewed?

On most occasions you can apply to the SAT. However, you must check that the licensing decision was made under an enabling Act that gives the SAT the power to review that decision. If you are unsure, check with the licensing authority or use the SAT Wizard.

How will the matter be handled?

Once the application is accepted by the SAT it will usually be listed for a directions hearing at which the matter will be sent to a final hearing or referred to mediation or compulsory conference.

Which major vocations does the SAT not handle?

The SAT does not deal with vocational matters relating to State schoolteachers, prison officers, police officers, emergency services personnel and auctioneers. For information on these vocations, contact the relevant Government department or industry association.

For more information on areas not covered by the SAT see Matters Not Dealt With by SAT in Jurisdiction.

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