Other types of cooperation or communication that substantially lessen competition are also illegal. This is the case even when there isn't a contract, arrangement or understanding.
Competition relies on businesses making independent decisions. When businesses communicate and cooperate, this can weaken competition. For this reason, the law restricts how businesses can work together.
It is illegal for competitors to form a cartel by agreeing to:
The law also bans some other kinds of communication and cooperation between businesses. This is only when the activity substantially lessens competition. This ban applies to:
Such contracts, arrangements, understandings and concerted practices often involve competitors. However, they can involve other parties such as:
A contract, arrangement or understanding is formed when 2 or more businesses develop a shared plan of action. Reaching an understanding or making an arrangement doesn't need to be written down. These agreements are often not put down in writing and a ‘nod and wink’ can be enough.
When determining whether a contract, arrangement or understanding was formed, a court may look at the ‘meeting of minds’. This can include evidence of:
A concerted practice is communication or cooperation between 2 or more businesses. It is not quite a contract, arrangement or understanding. But it goes beyond businesses independently responding to market conditions.
A concerted practice involves sharing strategic commercial information. The businesses involved may, but won't always, have the same aim or behave in the same way.
See the Guidelines on concerted practices.
At an industry event, a bank gives its competitors early notice that it will be increasing its home loan interest rates by 0.25%. The bank’s competitors each decide to make similar changes to their home loan interest rates.
Noticing its competitors’ reactions, the bank continues sharing information about its interest rate intentions at industry events.
The behaviour of the bank and its competitors is a concerted practice.
Contracts, arrangements, understandings and concerted practices that have the purpose, effect or likely effect of substantially lessening competition in a market are banned under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010. This is the case even if the behaviour doesn’t meet the stricter definition of a cartel.
Competition is more likely to be affected when competitors:
An association of electricity meter manufacturers publishes a quarterly report on industry trends. The report uses data from a member survey. The data includes forecast sales, input costs and pricing intentions. Members use the report’s pricing forecast charts to plan and make pricing decisions.
This concerted practice could substantially lessen competition, breaking the law.
A cement business made agreements with every power station in a region to buy all their flyash. Flyash is a by-product from coal fired electricity production used to make concrete.
These contracts prevented anyone else from buying flyash and competing with the business to supply concrete in the area.
The contracts had both the purpose and effect of substantially lessening competition.
Businesses can follow industry trends, observe what competitors do, and react in line with this. Businesses must make decisions independently, rather than in consultation or cooperation with competitors.
This is called parallel behaviour. It is not illegal if competitors are responding independently to market conditions. For example, a business may match a competitor’s lowered price to avoid losing customers.
During a promotional period, an airline offers discounted flights on popular routes. These flights have strict change and cancellation policies.
The airline’s competitors notice this promotion. They independently respond with similar offers of their own.
This is not a concerted practice. This is the result of independent action by each airline rather than collaboration.
We have developed A guide for business ( PDF 765.44 KB ) to assist businesses and other entities considering working together to achieve positive sustainability outcomes.
In addition, we have created a Quick guide on business practices ( PDF 379.45 KB ) to help you understand your key obligations and options under Australia’s competition law.
Both guides incorporate a 5-step checklist for businesses ( PDF 81.19 KB ) considering collaboration.
The guides inform businesses and other entities about the interaction between Australian competition law and sustainability collaborations. Where Australian competition law risks do arise, but the sustainability collaboration is in the public interest, an ACCC exemption may be appropriate.
We provide information about the different exemptions processes so that businesses can understand the options available to them in Australia.
These guidelines were published on 18 December 2024 following consultation. View public submissions received on the draft guide.
Guidelines on concerted practices
Collective bargaining and boycotts
Competition and anti-competitive behaviour
Small business guide to the competition and consumer act
Competition and Consumer Act 2010 - section 45 Anti-competitive agreements