Aged and retirement services
Aged care in Australia covers a few different services such as retirement villages, community care and home care. Businesses have responsibilities under consumer law for home care services.
Before signing a retirement village contract, consumers should get independent legal advice and understand the purchase and payment model, costs, and the facilities and services.
Travel and transport
Under Australian law, products and services that consumers buy come with guarantees that they will work and do what they’re supposed to do. This applies to new cars.
Caravan manufacturers and suppliers have responsibilities under consumer law.
The basic consumer rights known as consumer guarantees apply to travel services, including the guarantee that services are provided within a reasonable time.
There are many suppliers of foreign currency services, not just banks. To get the best price we recommend consumers compare different suppliers and be prepared to switch between them.
Other products and activities
Businesses selling funeral products and services must not mislead consumers, offer contracts with unfair terms, or take advantage of a consumer’s vulnerability.
Several government agencies administer and regulate the private health insurance industry.
Real estate agents must give consumers truthful information and must not mislead consumers to encourage higher offers.
A solar provider must not mislead or deceive consumers. The must not harass or coerce consumers to buy solar panels or sign up to an agreement, or take unfair advantage of any vulnerability or disability.
ACCC action on buying and selling products and services
The Federal Court has ordered EnergyAustralia to pay $14 million in penalties for making false, misleading or deceptive statements to hundreds of thousands of consumers about electricity prices, and failing to provide mandatory information required by the Electricity Retail Code.
The ACCC has commenced separate proceedings in the Federal Court against Woolworths Group Limited (ASX:WOW) and Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd (a subsidiary of Coles Group Limited - ASX: COL) for allegedly breaching the Australian Consumer Law by misleading consumers through discount pricing claims on hundreds of common supermarket products.
The Federal Court has ordered Grays eCommerce Group Limited, an Australia-wide online auction business, to pay $10 million in penalties, in proceedings brought by the ACCC.