Tertiary education program

Education modules

• 1

  Overview of competition law

  Module 1 provides you with the basic elements and operations of competition law in Australia. It explains why strong, competitive markets are important to businesses and consumers. It also describes how the law is enforced and the penalties that can be imposed upon a business or individual if they do not comply with the law. This is an overview module and so does not contain a quiz.

  Suggested relevant subjects: Commerce, business law, management, economics.

• 2

  Cartels – illegal agreements between competitors

  Module 2 explains the concept of a cartel, lists the types of cartel behavior, explains why cartels are illegal and the penalties and remedies that guilty parties may face if caught participating in cartel conduct. This module also shows how businesses can seek an exemption from the cartel provisions of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 under certain circumstances.

  Suggested relevant subjects: Commerce, economics, business law, management, finance, strategic management.

• 3

  Misuse of market power

  Module 3 explains what market power is and describes the different forms of conduct that may amount to 'taking advantage' of market power. It also discusses the circumstances in which taking advantage of market power will breach the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.

  Suggested relevant subjects: Commerce, economics, business law, management, strategic management, business growth.

• 4

  Setting minimum prices for resale

  Module 4 teaches you about the five types of prohibited conduct relating to setting minimum prices for resale, explains the agency agreement exception to the prohibition and outlines the authorisation process.

  Suggested relevant subjects: Commerce, economics, business law, management, finance, accounting, small business management.

• 5

  Exclusive dealing

  Module 5 explains that exclusive dealing occurs when a business refuses to supply to or acquire from a business that has not agreed to a condition that the business has tried to impose. It describes the distinction between the different forms of exclusive dealing and how businesses can seek an exemption from the exclusive dealing provisions of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 under certain circumstances.

  Suggested relevant subjects: Commerce, economics, business law, management.

• 6

  Overview of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL)

  Like many other countries, Australia has a comprehensive suite of consumer protection legislation. Consumer protection law is important for the efficient functioning of markets, it encourages consumers to shop with confidence, and enables businesses to compete fairly without rogue businesses being rewarded for using underhanded or misleading tactics. Module 6 provides an overview of the Australian Consumer Law. This is an overview module and so does not contain a quiz.

  Suggested relevant subjects: Management, marketing, commerce business law, journalism, media studies.

• 7

  False or misleading advertising practices

  Module 7 teaches you how to determine whether advertising might be misleading or deceptive or false and misleading. You will also learn of the possible consequences of not complying with this law.

  Suggested relevant subjects: Management, marketing, events & promotions, commerce, business law, journalism, business communication, media relations, small business management, entrepreneurship/new venture creation.

• 8

  Unfair selling practices

  Unfair selling and business practices contained within the Australian Consumer Law prohibit various behaviours, including unfair contract terms, bait advertising, participating in pyramid schemes, acting unconscionably or not adhering to certain rules when engaging in unsolicited sales or lay-by agreements. Module 8 teaches you about these unfair practices and the penalties associated with breaching the relevant provisions.

  Suggested relevant subjects: Management, marketing, commerce business law, small business/entrepreneurship.

• 9

  Consumer guarantees

  The Australian Consumer Law contains 12 guarantees that businesses must automatically provide consumers – nine consumer guarantees relate to products and three relate to services. Module 9 teaches you about all 12 guarantees and the remedies available to consumers if businesses fail to provide these guarantees.

  Suggested relevant subjects: Management, marketing, commerce business law, small business management.

• 10

  Product safety and liability

  Is a major supplier refusing to supply you with stock? Is the large retailer down the street selling their products at such low prices that you can't possibly compete with them? Find out when the Australian Consumer Law authorises the Commonwealth, state and territory ministers to regulate consumer goods and product-related services by issuing safety warning notices, banning products on a temporary or permanent basis or issuing a compulsory recall notice to suppliers. The Commonwealth Minister can also impose mandatory safety or information standards. Module 10 explains how all suppliers in the supply chain must comply with these laws.

  Suggested relevant subjects: Management, marketing, commerce, business law, design and innovation.

• 11

  Social media and the Australian Consumer Law (ACL)

  There are no specific laws or rules regulating content, tweets or posts on social media such as Facebook, Twitter or YouTube. However, Module 11 will teach you that the Australian Consumer Law, which prohibits businesses from making false, misleading or deceptive claims, applies to social media in the same way that it applies to all other marketing and promotional activities.

  Suggested relevant subjects: Business communication, journalism and media studies, management, marketing, commerce, business law.

• 12

  Scams

  Every year millions of dollars are lost to scammers. Technological innovation and expanding online and mobile communications are enabling scammers to develop more sophisticated operations. Module 12 teaches you about some of the most prevalent scams that currently affect consumers and businesses and teaches you how to not become a victim to this fraudulent behavior.

  Suggested relevant subjects: Business communication, journalism and media studies, management, marketing, commerce, business law.