On this page

About the ACCC and the AER

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is an independent Commonwealth statutory authority established in 1995. Its role is to administer and enforce the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 and other legislation, promoting competition, fair trading and regulating national infrastructure for the benefit of all Australians.

The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) is Australia's national energy market regulator. The AER shares staff, resources and facilities with the ACCC.

While the specific functions of the ACCC and AER vary based on their legislated responsibilities, the 2 bodies share many common objectives. Both work to protect, strengthen and supplement competitive market processes.

The ACCC also:

  • runs the National Anti-Scam Centre, which works with industry and government to make Australia a harder target for scammers
  • regulates Digital ID, which is a secure and convenient way for people to verify their identity online
  • provides secretariat services to the National Competition Council, including advice and support with the Council's decisions and reports, and administrative services.

ACCC purpose

Making markets work for consumers, now and in the future.

Our role

Competitive, informed and, when necessary, well-regulated markets lead to lower prices, better quality products and services, and more choice. This increases the prosperity and welfare of all Australians.

We focus on taking action that most promotes the proper functioning of Australian markets, protects competition, improves consumer welfare and stops conduct that is anti-competitive or harmful to consumers.

The ACCC employs the following strategies to achieve our purpose:

  • maintaining and promoting competition
  • protecting the interests and safety of consumers, and supporting fair trading in markets affecting consumers and small business
  • promoting the economically efficient operation of, use of, and investment in infrastructure, and identifying market failure
  • undertaking market studies and inquiries to support competition, consumer and regulatory outcomes.

See ACCC milestones for key aspects in the development and administration of competition and consumer law in Australia.

Our structure and decision making

The ACCC has a Chair, Deputy Chairs, Commissioners and Associate Members.

Appointments to the ACCC involve participation by Commonwealth, state and territory governments. The ACCC currently comes under the portfolio responsibilities of The Treasury.

The ACCC makes decisions through formal meetings of its Commission. The AER makes decisions through its independent Board.

ACCC Commissioners and AER Board members are statutory officers.

See also

Annual report

Corporate plan

Compliance and enforcement policy and priorities

Legislation

Memorandum of understanding between the ACCC and the National Competition Council ( PDF 897.48 KB )

The ACCC and the National Competition Council confidential information protocol ( PDF 98.16 KB )

Memorandum of understanding between the ACCC, AER and AEMC - 2014 ( PDF 780.19 KB | DOCX 292.76 KB )