New bunk bed rules

From 23 October 2013 new mandatory bunk bed safety standards have been introduced for short-term rental accommodation providers.

Fair Trading executive director Brian Bauer has advised, “the key safety feature of the new rule is that top bunks must have safety rails and there must not be any gaps that a child’s body can slip through or trap a child’s head. Under the new regulation, it is illegal to supply or offer rooms in hotels, resorts, holiday camps or other short-term accommodation that have non-compliant bunk beds where persons up to age of sixteen are likely to stay. It is the responsibility of owners and property agents to ensure their accommodation is now up to standard.”

While the new standards have been phased in over the last two years, from 23 October 2013 they are now enforceable with penalties of a maximum of $200K for individuals and $1.1mil for a body corporate.