Commerce WA highlights new rules regarding fitness memberships

Commerce WA, the government department dealing with consumer protection in Western Australia, has reminded operators and the public of new rules regarding fitness industry memberships.

Six months ago, on 1st July 2021, the rules governing Western Australia’s fitness industry changed to provide additional protection for consumers and to capture a wider range of providers that now include personal trainers, group exercise organisers and yoga classes.

After signing-up, members now have up to seven days to cancel a contract without penalty while operators are required to provide transparent pricing requirements to make it easier to compare the value of different fitness services.

Membership agreements must now include a summary statement to help consumers understand their responsibilities that should also state whether it involves an ongoing month-to-month renewal or is a fixed term contract of no longer than 12 months.

Writing in the Geraldton Guardian, Candice Evans, Senior Regional Officer for Consumer Protection - Mid West and Murchison within the Western Australian Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety's Commerce WA division, stated "should you (the member) decide that the fitness service is no longer for you, you won’t need to arrive in-person to cancel your membership. Cancellations can now be made online, with direct debits required to stop immediately.

"The fitness provider is required to notify you before automatically renewing your membership, thus giving you the opportunity to cancel without penalty."

Evans also highlighted the dangers of "fake websites and advertisements claiming to sell fitness gear at bargain prices" - particularly aimed at the home market - advising that Commerce WA's WA ScamNet team "recently heard from two victims who lost $1309 to a scam site calling itself 'AXM Fitness Group' after responding to adverts on social media and classified sites".

More information about this gym scam is available on WA ScamNet’s website at www.scamnet.wa.gov.au

Click here to view Commerce WA's Western Australian Fitness Industry Code of Practice (not to be confused with the Fitness Australia/ActiveAUS Industry Code of Practice).