NSW Fair Trading News

Fuel Inspections Target Remote NSW Stations

The Minns Labor Government has expanded its NSW Fair Trading fuel compliance inspection program into the most remote areas of the state, targeting service stations in Cobar and Lake Cargelligo with around 70 regional retailers on the inspection radar. Inspectors have now visited over 2,300 petrol stations and issued over 210 fines, covering 94 per cent of the state, with approximately 70% of all fines issued in regional NSW including the Southern Tablelands & South Coast, Central West and Riverina. Specific violations include a Snowy Mountains station displaying diesel at $3.00 per litre while advertising $1.96 per litre on the FuelCheck app (a $1.04 discrepancy), and an Upper Murray station selling diesel without any fuel price signage with a 25-cent per litre discrepancy between the FuelCheck advertised price and required pricing.

Bowser Busters Blitzing Petrol Stations Across NSW

The Minns Labor Government's Bowser Busters fuel price compliance program has conducted over 2,300 field inspections and re-inspections since March 18, 2026, covering approximately 90% of NSW and issuing over 140 Penalty Infringement Notices to service stations for price mismatches, failure to comply with information requirements, and unregistered operators. The program has doubled NSW Fair Trading's enforcement outcomes for price mismatching, with penalties including on-the-spot fines of $1,100 and court penalties of up to $110,000 for serious or repeat offences. Around 350,000 motorists use FuelCheck daily to verify fuel prices.

Tow Truck Driver Johnathan Doyle Baikie Disqualified

Johnathan Doyle Baikie, a NSW tow truck driver, has been disciplined by NSW Fair Trading after being convicted of common assault, stalking or intimidation with intent to cause harm, touting or soliciting for work at an accident scene, and failing to behave in a prescribed manner while performing tow truck duties. The agency determined Baikie no longer met the fit and proper person standard required for licensing. His Tow Truck Driver Certificate has been revoked and he is disqualified from holding any tow truck licence or drivers certificate for 3 years and 6 months. NSW Fair Trading has indicated it will continue taking action against individuals who behave dangerously to maintain industry safety and trustworthiness.

Tow Truck Driver Brett David Shearer Disqualified for 3 Years

NSW Fair Trading has reprimanded and disqualified tow truck driver Brett David Shearer from holding a Tow Truck Drivers Certificate for 3 years. Mr Shearer was charged with and pleaded guilty to a personal violence offence involving intimidation with intent to cause fear of physical or mental harm, and a larceny offence involving the theft of 5 sets of car keys. Based on these offences and related conduct, NSW Fair Trading determined he was no longer a fit and proper person to hold a tow truck licence or drivers certificate.

Joshua Tesolin and Tesolin Consulting Pty Ltd Banned Ten Years for Underquoting

Joshua James Tesolin and Tesolin Consulting Pty Ltd have been disqualified for 10 years from being involved in the management or operation of a licensed real estate business following findings by NSW Fair Trading of serious and deliberate misconduct. The investigation found Mr Tesolin engaged in underquoting, advertising properties below their estimated selling price, directing employees to falsify documents provided to the regulator, failing to properly supervise the business, and engaging in unlawful conduct affecting more than 100 property transactions. The disciplinary action has taken immediate effect and details will be published on the NSW Government's Verify NSW register and NSW Fair Trading's Name and Shame Register.

FuelCheck Receives $2.2 Million Upgrade as NSW Fuel Price Compliance Blitzes Surge

The Minns Labor Government will inject $2.2 million to upgrade FuelCheck, NSW's real-time fuel price transparency tool used by around 2,400 service stations statewide, funding better data collection, data analysis, and user experience improvements. Over the past fortnight, NSW Fair Trading conducted a statewide compliance blitz inspecting around 75 per cent of NSW stations (just under 1,800 service station inspections), issuing 93 penalty infringement notices, with 24 user intelligence-based fines issued this week alone. Fuel retailers who breach pricing rules face on-the-spot fines of $1,100 or court penalties of up to $22,000 for individuals and $110,000 for corporations. Inspections will continue over the Easter Long Weekend, with regional areas remaining a key target.

NSW Fundraising Reforms Harmonise With ACNC National Standards

NSW Fair Trading's charitable fundraising reforms took effect on 1 April 2026, significantly reducing administrative and regulatory burden for charities conducting cross-border or online fundraising by replacing separate NSW authority applications with a 'deemed authority' linked to ACNC registration. Registered charities no longer need to apply separately for a NSW fundraising authority and may rely on their existing ACNC registration to automatically fundraise in NSW, supporting the national 'tell us once' initiative. Existing NSW fundraising authority holders were automatically transitioned to deemed authority status on 1 April 2026, allowing them to continue fundraising in NSW without additional notification requirements.

Showbag Safety Inspections Completed for 2026 Sydney Royal Easter Show

NSW Fair Trading completed safety inspections of more than 400 showbags at the 2026 Sydney Royal Easter Show, which runs from 2 to 13 April 2026 at Sydney Olympic Park. Inspectors identified one toy marketed for children under 36 months with small parts that could detach and pose a choking hazard; the trader agreed to remove the item before sale. Four cosmetic products were found to be missing mandatory ingredient labelling required under the Consumer Goods (Cosmetics) Information Standard 2020; traders took steps to affix compliant labelling prior to sale. No products containing button batteries were identified, and overall compliance rates improved compared to previous years. NSW Fair Trading will maintain an inspector presence throughout the show.

Harmonisation Reforms for Charities and Fundraisers Effective 1 April 2026

The NSW Government has implemented harmonisation reforms for charitable fundraising effective 1 April 2026, aligning NSW laws with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) framework. ACNC-registered charities are now automatically deemed to hold a NSW fundraising authority upon notifying the ACNC of their intent to fundraise, eliminating the need for separate NSW applications. Deemed authority holders must comply with 16 National Fundraising Principles as an enforceable condition and meet ACNC reporting requirements in lieu of NSW-specific financial reporting and record-keeping obligations.

Atom Motorss Pty Ltd and Director Cigdem Simon Disqualified

NSW Fair Trading has cancelled Atom Motorss Pty Ltd's Motor Dealers Licence and disqualified both the corporation and its sole director, Cigdem Simon, from the motor dealer industry for 5 years. The disciplinary action follows two offences: carrying on business as a motor dealer whilst unlicensed, and making false or misleading representations to consumers by using incorrect Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) information on Form 5 Motor Dealers Notices. The action was taken under the Motor Dealers and Repairers Act 2013 and Australian Consumer Law.

Motor Vehicle Repairer Wail Imad Jajaw Licence Cancelled

NSW Fair Trading has cancelled Wail Imad Jajaw's Motor Dealer and Repairer Licence and disqualified him from holding a licence or being involved in the direction, management or conduct of a licensed business. The disciplinary action was taken after Mr Jajaw was found to have been carrying on the business of a motor vehicle repairer while his licence was suspended. NSW Fair Trading determined that Mr Jajaw is no longer a fit and proper person to hold a licence.

Smart Rental Bonds Digital Transfer System

The NSW Government has announced Smart Rental Bonds, a digital system allowing tenants to transfer their rental bond between properties for a $25 fee, with launch targeted for mid-2026. The system aims to provide cost-of-living relief for the 2.3 million renters in NSW who currently must find thousands of dollars upfront when moving while waiting for their previous bond to be refunded. The NSW Government will pay landlords upfront for any agreed bond claims when tenants move out, ensuring landlords face no financial risk while renters gain improved cashflow flexibility.

NSW Probes Misleading Fuel Prices in Statewide Compliance Blitz

NSW Fair Trading has launched a statewide fuel compliance blitz targeting misleading fuel prices under the Minns Labor Government. Inspectors have conducted over 190 service station inspections and issued 13 penalty infringement notices. Under NSW law, fuel retailers must register with FuelCheck and report price changes in real time, ensuring displayed prices match pump prices. Non-compliant retailers face on-the-spot fines of $1,100 or court penalties up to $22,000 for individuals and $110,000 for corporations. NSW Fair Trading is collaborating with the ACCC on enforcement.

NSW Announces Legislation to Crack Down on Property Underquoting with Heavier Penalties

The NSW Minns Labor Government will introduce legislation to increase penalties for property underquoting from $22,000 to $110,000 or three times the agent's commission, whichever is greater, and double dummy bidding penalties from $55,000 to $110,000. The proposed laws mandate a price or price guide on all property advertising, require agents to publish a Statement of Information including comparable sales and suburb median sale price, and prohibit agents from advertising a sale price lower than a previously rejected written offer or highest unsuccessful auction bid. NSW Fair Trading will receive expanded enforcement powers including the authority to require public disclosure of agent misconduct or independent valuation verification.

Former Real Estate Agent Dean Norburn Prosecuted for Fraud

NSW Fair Trading prosecuted former real estate agent Dean Norburn for dishonestly obtaining $305,053.13 by deception while managing a property in Elizabeth Bay. At Parramatta Local Court on 27 February 2026, Mr Norburn was convicted of one offence under section 192E of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) and sentenced to an 18-month Intensive Corrections Order, 300 hours of community service, ordered to pay $100,000 compensation to the Property Services Compensation Fund, and $500 in professional costs. The court emphasised the breach of trust, sustained period of deception, and need for both general and specific deterrence within the real estate sector.

NSW Fair Trading Warns Bondi United for False Terror Attack Links

NSW Fair Trading has issued a public warning against Bondi United for falsely claiming links to the Bondi Beach terror attack. The agency took action after investigations revealed misleading conduct, and the business has indicated it will offer refunds to consumers. This action highlights the government's commitment to protecting consumers from exploitation following tragic events.

NSW Fair Trading Suspends Real Estate Licence After Sexual Misconduct Allegations

NSW Fair Trading has suspended the real estate licence of Anthony Di Nardo for 60 days, effective 10 March 2026, after a Show Cause notice was served relating to allegations of indecent assault, sexual touching, sexual assault, and stalking. A response to the notice is required by 23 March 2026. The criminal matter is being investigated by NSW Police and is before the courts, separate from this regulatory action.

NSW Fair Trading Suspends Strata Agent Christine Ng Licence Pending Investigation

NSW Fair Trading has suspended the licence of strata managing agent Christine Ng over alleged conduct including failure to pay significant sums of money into an approved trust account, appointing an individual to a strata office without their consent, failing to comply with a notice to produce documents, and breaching rules of conduct including failure to act in a client's best interests. Ms Ng has been issued with a Show Cause Notice and must respond to the allegations by 25 March 2026, during which time she is prohibited from conducting business as a real estate or strata managing agent. Disciplinary action is published on the Name and Shame Register, a publicly accessible search tool for researching disciplinary action against licensed real estate agents and strata managing agents.

Fair Trading Suspends Estate Agent for Misrepresentation and Disqualifies Another for Fraud

NSW Fair Trading has suspended the licence of real estate agent Deepak Bangarh for 60 days after an investigation found he misrepresented selling prices, failed to substantiate estimated selling prices, and did not pass all purchase offers to vendors. In a separate case, NSW Fair Trading cancelled the licence of John Kim of Epping Real Estate and disqualified him for five years after investigators established he misappropriated approximately $300,000 in trust monies from two property deposits. Both matters remain under active investigation.