What we do

• Role and activities
• ACCC and the Competition and Consumer Act
• More information

Role and activities

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is an independent statutory authority. It was formed in 1995 to administer the Trade Practices Act 1974 (renamed the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 on 1 January 2011) and other acts.

The ACCC promotes competition and fair trade in the market place to benefit consumers, business and the community. It also regulates national infrastructure industries. Its primary responsibility is to ensure that individuals and businesses comply with the Commonwealth's competition, fair trading and consumer protection laws.

In fair trading and consumer protection its role complements that of the state and territory consumer affairs agencies which administer the mirror legislation of their jurisdictions, and the Competition and Consumer Policy Division of the Commonwealth Treasury.

As well as education and information the ACCC recommends dispute resolution when possible as an alternative to litigation, can authorise some anti-competitive conduct, and will take legal action when necessary. We provide a range of plain language publications, most being available on this website.

ACCC initiatives include promoting consumer education in rural areas and with indigenous communities.

ACCC and the Competition and Consumer Act

On 1 January 2011 the Trade Practices Act 1974 was amended and renamed the Competition and Consumer Act 2010. The Competition and Consumer Act's purpose is to enhance the welfare of Australians through the promotion of competition and fair trading and provision for consumer protection.

The Act deals with almost all aspects of the marketplace: the relationships between suppliers, wholesalers, retailers, competitors and customers.

In broad terms the Act covers unfair market practices, industry codes, mergers and acquisitions of companies, product safety, product labelling, price monitoring, and the regulation of industries such as telecommunications, gas, electricity and airports.

The major parts of the Act are:

• Part IIIA—third party access to nationally significant, essential facilities
• Part IV—anti-competitive practices
• Part IVB—industry codes of conduct
• Part VI—enforcement and remedies
• Part VII—authorisations, notifications and clearances
• Part VIIA—price monitoring and surveillance relating to industries or businesses declared by the Australian Government
• Part X—international liner cargo shipping
• Part XI—application of ACL as a law of the Commonwealth
• Part XIB—anti-competitive conduct in telecommunications
• Part XIC—access to services for telecommunications.
• The Australian Consumer Law (Schedule 2)— misleading or deceptive conduct, unconscionable conduct, unfair practices, conditions and warranties, product safety and information, liability of manufacturers for goods with safety defects offences, country of origin representations
  

More information

The ACCC has a wide range of publications dealing with its functions and the legislation for which it is responsible. Some are general while others address specific aspects of the law or the ACCC’s administration of it. All publications are listed on this site and most are available online (see: Related topics on the ACCC website below). Copyright restrictions apply to all information on this site.

The ACCC has a network of offices in all capital cities and Townsville to handle public complaints and inquiries (see: Related topics on the ACCC website below). Staff can give guidance to business and consumers on their rights and obligations under the law, but not legal advice.