On this page

Free trade agreements

Many of Australia’s free trade agreements include chapters on competition law. A list of all current free trade agreements in force is available from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Treaties

Treaties and memorandums of cooperation between the ACCC and other entities.
Treaty or Memorandum of Cooperation Description

The Australia United States mutual antitrust enforcement assistance agreement ( PDF 1.34 MB )

Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the United States of America relating to cooperation and antitrust matters ( PDF 61.79 KB )

These treaties allow Australia and the United States to exchange evidence and assist each others competition law enforcement activities.
USA: Memorandum of Cooperation between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission ( PDF 187.08 KB ) A Memorandum of Cooperation between the FBI and ACCC to enhance efforts in combatting antitrust violations.

Country agreements and memorandums of understanding

Country agreements and memorandums of understanding made by the ACCC.
Agreements between Australia and: Description

Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom and United States:  Memorandum of understanding - Multilateral mutual assistance and cooperation framework for competition authorities ( PDF 975.13 KB )

French version:  Memorandum of understanding - Multilateral mutual assistance and cooperation framework for competition authorities ( PDF 954.27 KB )

The MMAC is a memorandum of understanding that will improve coordinated and pro-active informal cooperation and assistance between all the parties. The framework includes a template 'Model Agreement' that the agencies can use to establish cooperation arrangements focussed on investigative assistance such as the provision of mutual assistance, sharing of confidential information, executing searches and seizures and cross-border evidence gathering. 
Canada and New Zealand: Cooperation agreement between The Commissioner of Competition (Canada), the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, and New Zealand Commerce Commission regarding the application of their competition and consumer laws ( PDF 195.62 KB ) The agreement establishes a framework for notification, coordination and cooperation on competition and consumer protection enforcement activities, exchange of information, and avoidance of conflict.
Health Canada: Memorandum of Understanding - Health Canada and the ACCC - English and French ( PDF 2.89 MB )

The purpose of the Memorandum of Understanding is to enhance the partnership between the parties and specifically for the sharing  of product safety information.

China: Memorandum of understanding in anti-monopoly cooperation between the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China ( PDF 10.18 MB )

Chinese version: Memorandum of understanding in anti-monopoly cooperation between the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China ( PDF 10.29 MB )
The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding is to enhance the partnership of the parties by providing a sound mechanism for their communication and cooperation in the fields of competition law and policy, including enforcement.
China: Memorandum of understanding between the National Development and Reform Commission and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission ( PDF 1.09 MB )

Chinese version: Memorandum of understanding between the National Development and Reform Commission and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission ( PDF 1.23 MB )
To recognise the importance of cooperation, consultation and coordination to facilitate the effective implementation of competition law and policy in each country, including in their enforcement activity.
China: Memorandum of understanding between the State Administration for Industry and Commerce of the People’s Republic of China and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission ( PDF 121.44 KB ) To promote cooperation and coordination of enforcement and training activities on consumer protection and competition issues.
Chinese Taipei: Cooperation and coordination arrangement between the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office and the Australian Commerce and Industry Office regarding the application of competition and fair trading laws ( PDF 37.42 KB | RTF 22.49 KB ) To promote cooperation and coordination between the agencies, and to lessen the possibility of differences in the application of the competition and fair trading laws administered by the agencies, and to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of each agency through information exchange.
European Commission: Arrangement for information sharing on consumer policy and protection between the Government of Australia and the European Commission ( PDF 258 KB ) An administrative arrangement to facilitate information sharing on consumer policy and protection in recognition of the mutual benefits of strengthened cooperation in these areas.
Fiji Islands: Memorandum of understanding between the Commerce Commission of the Fiji Islands and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission ( PDF 194.18 KB ) To promote cooperation and coordination of enforcement, training and technical assistance activities on consumer protection and competition issues.
India: Memorandum of understanding between the Competition Commission of India and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission – 2013 ( PDF 96.65 KB ) The arrangement encourages the development of cooperative relationships between the two countries through information sharing, technical cooperation and assistance in enforcement activities and policy developments.
International: OECD revised recommendation of the council about cooperation between member countries on anticompetitive practices affecting international trade ( PDF 21.65 KB ) An agreement by OECD members to use best endeavours to ensure notification and cooperation where two or more member countries proceed against an anti-competitive practice in international trade.
International: The London action plan on international spam enforcement cooperation ( PDF 16.41 KB ) To promote international spam enforcement cooperation and address unwanted email related problems, such as online fraud and deception, phishing, and dissemination of viruses.

Italian Competition Authority (AGCM):  Memorandum of understanding between Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission ( PDF 1.11 MB )

Italian version:  Memorandum of understanding between Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission ( PDF 1.19 MB )

The purpose of the Memorandum of Understanding is to enhance the partnership between the two agencies through the exchange of information and cooperation on competition and consumer matters.
Japan: Cooperation arrangement between the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and the Fair Trade Commission of Japan ( PDF 4.55 MB ) An agreement establishing a framework for constructive cooperation between the two countries.
New Zealand: Cooperation arrangement between the New Zealand Commerce Commission and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission April 2013 ( PDF 2.78 MB ) An arrangement to facilitate and enhance the existing level of cooperation and coordination between the two countries.
New Zealand: Cooperation agreement between the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and the New Zealand Commerce Commission July 2007 ( PDF 359.85 KB ) An agreement to facilitate and enhance the existing level of cooperation and coordination between the two countries.
New Zealand: Trade Practices Commission and New Zealand Commerce Commission cooperation and coordination agreement ( RTF 35.5 KB ) To allow the exchange of information about investigations, research activities, compliance education programs, amendments to relevant legislation, and corporate resource issues.
New Zealand: ACCC/NZCC Cooperation protocol for mergers review ( PDF 18.43 KB | PDF 80.71 KB ) To assist cooperation in merger review between the ACCC and the New Zealand Commerce Commission (NZCC) consistent with the Australian and New Zealand governments’ shared objective of streamlining the trans-Tasman business environment.
New Zealand and Taiwan: Cooperation arrangement between the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, the New Zealand Commerce Commission and the Taiwan Fair Trade Commission regarding the application of their competition and fair trading laws ( PDF 346.87 KB ) Agreement to promote cooperation and coordination between the countries, and to lessen the impact of differences in the application of their competition and fair trading laws.
New Zealand and the United Kingdom: Cooperation agreement between the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, the New Zealand Commerce Commission, Secretary of State for Trade Industry and the Office of Fair Trading UK regarding the application of competition and consumer laws ( PDF 870.65 KB ) The arrangement aims to promote more effective resolution of competition and consumer law issues in each country by coordinating enforcement activities and sharing information.
Papua New Guinea: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and Consumer Affairs Council of Papua New Guinea cooperation and coordination agreement ( PDF 75.38 KB ) To promote cooperation in the administration of competition and consumer protection laws, including enforcement, adjudication, compliance education, research, and corporate services.

Philippines: 
Memorandum of understanding between the Philippine Competition Commission and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission ( PDF 1.18 MB )

The purpose of this MOU is to enhance the partnership between the ACCC and the Philippine Competition Commission, through the exchange of information and cooperation on competition matters.

Philippines: Memorandum of understanding between the Department of Justice in the Republic of the Philippines and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission ( PDF 111.26 KB )

To contribute to effective enforcement of the competition laws of each country through development of a cooperative relationship.
Republic of Korea: Cooperation arrangement between the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and the Fair Trade Commission of the Republic of Korea regarding the application of their competition and consumer protection laws ( PDF 301.8 KB ) The arrangement encourages the development of cooperative relationships between the two countries through information sharing and cooperation, and assistance in enforcement activities.
Thailand: Memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the ACCC and office of the Consumer Protection Board - Kingdom of Thailand ( PDF 1.03 MB ) The purpose of this MOU is to enhance the partnership between the ACCC and the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (Thailand), through the exchange of information and cooperation on consumer protection and product safety matters.
United Kingdom and USA: Memorandum of understanding on mutual enforcement assistance in commercial email matters ( PDF 137.75 KB ) A multinational and multi-agency memorandum of understanding to provide a framework for cross-border cooperation to combat unsolicited commercial electronic messages, commonly referred to as ‘spam’, and assist in enforcement of national anti-spam laws.
USA: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and the Federal Trade Commission mutual enforcement assistance in consumer protection matters agreement ( PDF 325.52 KB ) The agreement allows for enhanced cooperation and information sharing, strengthening ties between the two nations on consumer protection matters and enhancing cross-border cooperation in the consumer protection area.

See also

International relations

Is this page useful?