News releases by topic by year

Small business

2004 - 2012

• ACCC takes court action against Artorios Ink Co Pty Ltd
  The ACCC has instituted proceedings in the Federal Court in Melbourne against printer cartridge t...
  Issued: 10^th September 2012 Release # NR 189/12
• ACCC to host small business webinar on carbon price claims
  The ACCC is set to host an interactive webinar on carbon price claims this week, giving small bus...
  Issued: 13^th August 2012 Release # NR 170/12
• ACCC reports on small business
  ACCC chairman Rod Sims today launched a report on small business activities at the National Small...
  Issued: 1^st August 2012 Release # NR 161/12
• ACCC takes action against Safety Compliance Pty Ltd
  The ACCC has instituted proceedings against Safety Compliance Pty Ltd and three individuals relat...
  Issued: 24^th April 2012 Release # NR 080/12
• ACCC : Small business must be alert to scams
  False billing scams targeting small businesses have reportedly cost the sector in excess of $600,...
  Issued: 20^th March 2012 Release # NR 051/12
• ACCC takes court action against publishing companies
  The ACCC has instituted proceedings in the Federal Court against four publishing companies and th...
  Issued: 26^th September 2011 Release # NR 177/11
• Industry and Commerce business directory promotion declared misleading
  The Federal Court in Sydney has found that the Spanish-based company, European City Guide S L, tr...
  Issued: 29^th July 2011 Release # NR 132/11
• ACCC urges prospective franchisees to do their homework
  If you’re thinking about a new franchise opportunity in 2011, the ACCC suggests prospective fra...
  Issued: 11^th January 2011 Release # NR 008/11
• ACCC institutes against cafés over alleged menu breaches
  The ACCC has instituted proceedings against four cafés and restaurants for alleged breaches of t...
  Issued: 9^th September 2010 Release # NR 186/10
• Court finds Seal-A-Fridge franchisor's behaviour 'unconscionable'
  National franchisor Seal-A-Fridge Pty Ltd had engaged in unconscionable conduct towards its franc...
  Issued: 30^th June 2010 Release # NR 127/10
• John Martin
  ACCC chairman Graeme Samuel today paid tribute to former ACCC Commissioner, John Martin, who died...
  Issued: 25^th June 2010 Release # NR 125/10
• A one-stop shop free education program for people buying a franchise
  A free online education program funded by the ACCC will help prospective franchisees make an info...
  Issued: 2^nd June 2010 Release # NR 115/10
• Darwin small business operators informed about Australian Consumer Law
  The new Australian Consumer Law and what the recent reforms mean for Northern Territory small bus...
  Issued: 24^th May 2010 Release # NR 075/10
• Communication lacking in franchising relationships
  A study by Griffith University into franchise conflict has revealed the need for better communica...
  Issued: 10^th May 2010 Release # NR 096/10
• Federal Court declares StoresOnline misled consumers
  The Federal Court has found that e-commerce marketing companies StoresOnline International, Inc. ...
  Issued: 6^th May 2010 Release # NR 095/10
• New 'must read' for professionals and professional associations – Professions and the Trade Practices Act
  A must read for all professionals and professional associations – Professions and the Trade Pra...
  Issued: 5^th May 2010 Release # NR 093/10
• $3 million in damages to small businesses
  Fifty-five current and former Allphones franchisees have received payments totalling $3 million f...
  Issued: 28^th April 2010 Release # NR 089/10
• Refund Home Loans and Wayne Ormond admit false and misleading statements
  The Federal Court has today issued orders by consent declaring that Refund Home Loans Pty Ltd and...
  Issued: 12^th March 2010 Release # NR 045/10
• Scams advice for online shoppers and small business: Fraud Week 2010
  As part of the Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce's 2010 Fraud Week, the ACCC has issued two n...
  Issued: 3^rd March 2010 Release # NR 034/10
• Collective contract negotiations working well for Tasmanian vegetable growers
  The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has made a draft decision to re-authorise coll...
  Issued: 24^th February 2010 Release # NR 027/10
• ACCC institutes proceedings against franchisor Mailpost and director
  The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has instituted legal proceedings in the Federa...
  Issued: 24^th December 2009 Release # NR 327/09
• ACCC moves to protect Australian businesses from Spanish-based directory listing company
  The ACCC has instituted proceedings in the Federal Court, Sydney against a Spanish-based director...
  Issued: 21^st December 2009 Release # NR 319/09
• Federal Court declares StoresOnline breached undertaking to ACCC
  Following proceedings instituted by the ACCC, the Federal Court has found that e-commerce marketi...
  Issued: 18^th December 2009 Release # NR 318/09
• More furniture removalists to collectively negotiate with Pacific National
  The ACCC will not object to a collective bargaining notification lodged by a group of furniture r...
  Issued: 17^th December 2009 Release # NR 312/09
• Personalised Chocolates 4U franchisor misled and deceived franchisees: Federal Court
  The Federal Court has declared that Personalised Chocolates 4U Pty Ltd and its sole director, Tro...
  Issued: 2^nd December 2009 Release # NR 297/09
• ACCC warns about scam business directory offers
  Businesses have been warned to watch out for unsolicited emails or letters which claim to offer '...
  Issued: 15^th October 2009 Release # NR 257/09
• Federal Court declares resume writing business misled business owners
  The Federal Court, Perth has declared that Burnan Pty Ltd, trading as Resumé Service, engaged in...
  Issued: 8^th October 2009 Release # NR 249/09
• Franchisor admits non-compliance with the Franchising Code and agrees to give franchisees a refund
  A franchisor which failed to comply with the Franchising Code of Conduct has agreed to release fr...
  Issued: 1^st October 2009 Release # NR 243/09
• Court finds Australialink misled consumers and acted unconscionably over online directory service
  The Federal Court has declared that documents used by a company to solicit customers for its onli...
  Issued: 25^th September 2009 Release # NR 236/09
• Franchise builder reviews practices after ACCC action
  The franchisor of G.J. Gardner Homes, Netdeen Pty Ltd, and its directors, have given court enforc...
  Issued: 24^th September 2009 Release # NR 235/09
• ACCC saves small business newsagents $20 million
  Prompt action by the ACCC has relieved many Australian small businesses of a potentially heavy fi...
  Issued: 14^th September 2009 Release # NR 223/09
• Invoice overload: ACCC warns about questionable trade mark renewals
  The ACCC is reminding business owners to be vigilant after a spike in complaints about unsolicite...
  Issued: 21^st August 2009 Release # NR 201/09
• ACCC institutes contempt of court proceedings against Allphones
  The ACCC has instituted proceedings in the Federal Court against Allphones Retail Pty Ltd allegin...
  Issued: 19^th August 2009 Release # NR 197/09
• ACCC takes class action on behalf of Allphones franchisees
  The ACCC has instituted class action proceedings against Allphones Retail Pty Ltd and three indiv...
  Issued: 18^th August 2009 Release # NR 196/09
• ACCC institutes proceedings against Personalised Chocolates franchisor, director
  The ACCC has instituted proceedings in the Federal Court, Sydney against Personalised Chocolates ...
  Issued: 16^th July 2009 Release # NR 170/09
• Spray Pave Australia to amend false advertising
  A paving company which claimed to be a franchise and to be part of an international group has agr...
  Issued: 13^th July 2009 Release # NR 165/09
• Federal Court finds retail landlord's conduct unconscionable
  The Federal Court has ordered a Melbourne retail landlord to compensate four tenants after it eng...
  Issued: 25^th June 2009 Release # NR 150/09
• ACCC identifies false 'Product of Australia' claims by Waverley Woollen Mills for its 'Work Wear' jumpers
  Waverley Woollen Mills Pty Ltd has admitted making false 'Product of Australia' claims for its Wa...
  Issued: 2^nd June 2009 Release # NR 128/09
• ACCC allows collective bargaining by WA newsagents
  The ACCC has allowed a group of Western Australian newsagents to seek to collectively negotiate t...
  Issued: 28^th May 2009 Release # NR 123/09
• ACCC obtains injunctions against Zanok Technologies and directors
  The ACCC has obtained Federal Court injunctions against IT business Zanok Technologies Pty Ltd an...
  Issued: 18^th May 2009 Release # NR 115/09
• ACCC institutes against IT business Zanok Technologies, directors alleging misleading job advertisements
  The ACCC has instituted legal proceedings in the Federal Court, Sydney against Zanok Technologies...
  Issued: 12^th May 2009 Release # NR 109/09
• ACCC institutes proceedings against résumé writing business Burnan Pty Ltd and Mr Keith Rolston
  The ACCC has instituted legal proceedings in the Federal Court, Perth against Burnan Pty Ltd, and...
  Issued: 29^th April 2009 Release # NR 091/09
• Event promoters engaged in misleading conduct
  The Federal Court, in Perth, has declared that Mr Gregory John Millar and Mr John Raymond Webb en...
  Issued: 3^rd March 2009 Release # NR 044/09
• Australialink gives undertakings to Federal Court
  Potential customers for some online business directories will be made aware that they are being s...
  Issued: 17^th December 2008 Release # MR 357/08
• ACCC institutes proceedings against Australialink
  The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has instituted proceedings in the Federal Cour...
  Issued: 8^th December 2008 Release # MR 346/08
• Protect your summer harvest: warning to growers
  Growers trading produce without a Horticulture Produce Agreement required by the mandatory Hortic...
  Issued: 17^th November 2008 Release # MR 323/08
• ACCC calls for WA small business to ensure they are fully informed
  Before signing up to the world of small business make sure you are fully informed about your righ...
  Issued: 7^th November 2008 Release # MR 312/08
• Advice to Tasmanian small businesses: Know where you stand
  Small business operators should know where they stand in dealing with other businesses and custom...
  Issued: 3^rd November 2008 Release # MR 307/08
• ACCC alleges contracts for Bill Express equipment are result of third line forcing and unenforceable
  The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has instituted legal proceedings in the Federa...
  Issued: 30^th October 2008 Release # MR 304/08
• NT small business urged to stay alert to unfair practices
  Small businesses in the Northern Territory can protect themselves and steer clear of unfair trade...
  Issued: 27^th October 2008 Release # MR 299/08
• ACCC accepts undertakings from Vision Group
  Vision Group, a provider of ophthalmic services, has responded to Australian Competition and Cons...
  Issued: 10^th September 2008 Release # MR 259/08
• Oobi Baby penalised $40,000 for resale price maintenance
  The Federal Court has ordered Oobi Baby Pty Ltd to pay $40,000 in penalties after the company adm...
  Issued: 2^nd September 2008 Release # MR 251/08
• Strengthened Trade Practices laws to assist small business
  Small businesses will soon enjoy the greatest protection in 30 years against predatory pricing an...
  Issued: 11^th June 2008 Release # MR 159/08
• ACCC obtains court orders against Duco Magic for misleading or deceptive conduct
  The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has obtained final orders by consent in the Fe...
  Issued: 3^rd April 2008 Release # MR 090/08
• Federal Court declares events management company misled small businesses
  The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission obtained orders by consent yesterday in the Fe...
  Issued: 3^rd April 2008 Release # NR 089/08
• Small business sting: Federal Court declares that Original Mama's Pizza & Ribs, principals misled small business owners
  A pizza oven provider has been found to have misled its small business customers about the contra...
  Issued: 19^th March 2008 Release # MR 077/08
• ACCC accepts court-enforceable undertakings from fruit trader
  The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has accepted court enforceable undertakings fr...
  Issued: 13^th March 2008 Release # MR 069/08
• ACCC institutes proceedings against Duco Magic (Australia) Pty Ltd
  The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has instituted legal proceedings in the Federa...
  Issued: 11^th March 2008 Release # MR 065/08
• Federal Court declares that Imagine Essential Services Limited, Richard Evans misled small businesses
  The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission obtained orders by consent yesterday in the Fe...
  Issued: 5^th March 2008 Release # MR 059/08
• Navman penalised $1.25 million for resale price maintenance
  Penalties totalling $1.36 million have been imposed by the Federal Court today concerning conduct...
  Issued: 21^st December 2007 Release # MR 359/07
• ACCC ensures compliant template agreements across horticulture industry
  Compliant horticulture produce agreements are now available to growers and traders throughout the...
  Issued: 9^th October 2007 Release # MR 271/07
• ACCC calls on retail tenants to consider collective bargaining with landlords
  Retail tenants should consider taking advantage of collective bargaining to strengthen their posi...
  Issued: 3^rd July 2007 Release # MR 170/07
• ACCC cautions traders and growers pre-dating farm produce supply agreements
  The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has been made aware of alleged attempts by som...
  Issued: 1^st May 2007 Release # MR 109/07
• Being smart about your new franchise: Your checklist before signing a lease agreement
  The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission today launched a checklist publication -Being...
  Issued: 20^th April 2007 Release # MR 105/07
• Collective bargaining – A Competing Fairly Forum
  The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has issued its latest Competing Fairly Forum D...
  Issued: 6^th March 2007 Release # MR 058/07
• TPA matters for small business: ACCC launches latest small business resource
  Small business people seeking information on their rights and obligations under the Trade Practic...
  Issued: 20^th October 2006 Release # MR 242/06
• Scams, frauds and your business: Competing Fairly Forum
  The latest of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's Competing Fairly Forums, Scams...
  Issued: 7^th September 2006 Release # MR 205/06
• Don't get scammed: Start-up checklist for small business
  People buying or starting a new small business now have a handy, pocket sized reference guide to ...
  Issued: 27^th June 2006 Release # MR 142/06
• Scams, frauds and your business: Competing Fairly Forum
  Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Chairman, Mr Graeme Samuel, today launched the lat...
  Issued: 27^th June 2006 Release # MR 141/06
• Small business guide to trade practices compliance programs
  The small business sector now has a dedicated guideline to assist it to understand the essential ...
  Issued: 27^th April 2006 Release # MR 090/06
• $3.5m compensation ordered after ACCC stops phone card scams
  The Federal Court has ordered that 23 small businesses receive compensation totalling more than $...
  Issued: 28^th February 2006 Release # MR 042/06
• ACCC issues cartels publication for small business at COSBOA conference
  A guide for small business about identifying and avoiding involvement in, or being a victim of, c...
  Issued: 22^nd February 2006 Release # MR 035/06
• ACCC sues Original Mama's Pizza & Ribs and its principals for alleged small business sting
  The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has commenced legal proceedings against The Or...
  Issued: 7^th February 2006 Release # MR 022/06
• ACCC provides small business with streamlined process for collective bargaining arrangements
  The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission will further streamline the authorisation proc...
  Issued: 16^th December 2005 Release # MR 314/05
• Easy access for small business to advice
  To help small business do business better, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has...
  Issued: 13^th December 2005 Release # MR 306/05
• Busy small business offices targeted by numerous unsolicited offers
  Small business operators can be easy prey for scamsters trying to winkle out money for unsolicite...
  Issued: 27^th September 2005 Release # MR 234/05
• Compensation for Custom Security Services customers
  Customers who were charged for security services they did not authorise will receive compensation...
  Issued: 23^rd June 2005 Release # MR 156/05
• Refunds, upgrades over Reckon Limited terms and conditions
  Consumers will receive refunds and upgrades from Reckon Ltd after an Australian Competition and C...
  Issued: 20^th June 2005 Release # MR 151/05
• ACCC targets blatant deceptive conduct with business 'opportunities'
  Those who blatantly deceive potential small business owners with offers of bogus or unworkable sm...
  Issued: 24^th February 2005 Release # MR 030/05
• Big business v small business – vigorous or vicious competition
  The role of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission was to promote competition to the ...
  Issued: 4^th November 2004 Release # MR 242/04
• ACCC institutes against ContactPlus Group Pty Ltd
  The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has instituted legal proceedings in the Federa...
  Issued: 19^th August 2004 Release # MR 161/04
• Collective bargaining and collective boycotts: ACCC issues paper
  An Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Issues Paper on collective bargaining and colle...
  Issued: 7^th July 2004 Release # MR 119/04