What the ACCC does

  • We protect and promote competition in markets to benefit consumers, businesses and the community.
  • We provide general information about business obligations under competition law.
  • We investigate anti-competitive behaviour that may be illegal. We can take action against businesses that break the law.
  • We accept reports about anti-competitive business behaviour. You can report an issue to the ACCC.

What the ACCC can't do

  • We don’t intervene directly in disputes between businesses.
  • We don’t give legal advice.

Why competition matters

A woman shopping and looking up prices on a calculator

Competition and anti-competitive behaviour

Competition leads to lower prices, more choice and better products and services. The Competition and Consumer Act 2010 bans business behaviours that damage competition.

Types of anti-competitive behaviour

Cartels

A cartel exists when businesses agree to act together instead of competing with each other. It’s illegal for businesses to agree to act together in a cartel instead of competing.

Cooperation among businesses

It’s illegal for businesses to make contracts, arrangements or understandings, or engage in concerted practices that substantially lessen competition.

Exclusive dealing

It can be illegal to restrict a customer or supplier’s freedom to choose what it buys or sells, who it does business with or where it trades.

Minimum resale prices

Suppliers can recommend resale prices for their goods and services, but they can’t stop resellers advertising or charging a lower price.

Misuse of market power

Businesses with substantial market power must not misuse that power to stop other businesses competing on their merits.

Exemptions from competition law

About exemptions

A business that is planning an activity that will or may breach competition law can seek an exemption. This gives the business protection from legal action over the conduct.

Authorisation

Authorisation is one type of exemption. The ACCC only authorises conduct that won’t substantially lessen competition or is in the public interest.

Notification

Notification is a faster and simpler way of gaining an exemption. It removes the risk of legal action for some arrangements that risk breaking competition law.

Class exemptions

The ACCC can create a class exemption that covers a certain type of business conduct. Using a class exemption is an alternative to applying for authorisation or lodging a notification.

Export agreement exemption

Export agreements can be automatically exempted from most competition law provisions. There are requirements to qualify for this exemption.

Certification trade marks

The ACCC approves new certification trade marks, which are special logos that show consumers that a product or service meets a particular standard.

Industry-specific behaviour

Competing fairly in professional services

Like all businesses, professionals and their associations must compete fairly and avoid engaging in anti-competitive behaviour such as cartels, exclusive dealing, unfair dealing or unconscionable conduct.

Industry associations

Industry associations play an important role in providing a collective voice for individual businesses within an industry. All associations and their members have obligations under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.

Professional associations

Professional associations must ensure their membership criteria, voluntary codes and advice to members comply with the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.

Medical professionals

Medical professionals must comply with laws to ensure fair competition and protect consumers.

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Keep up with all the latest news and developments in competition law and cartel enforcement actions.

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ACCC action on competition and exemptions

More low-income Australians to benefit from low or no-fee bank accounts

The ACCC has issued a final determination to authorise Australian banks which are members of the Australian Banking Association to continue working together under the Banking Code of Practice to help more low-income Australians access low-fee and no-fee bank accounts, and to assist farmers during droughts and natural disasters.
See media releases on competition and exemptions