Setting prices: what's allowed
Businesses can mostly set their prices as they see fit. But businesses’ behaviour around setting prices may be illegal if it harms competition, or if the reasons given for prices are misleading.
Small business
Competition
Competition leads to lower prices, better quality, and more choice for consumers. Some anti-competitive business behaviour is against the law.
Industry code compliance checks
The ACCC can require businesses that are covered by a prescribed industry code to provide information or documents they're required to keep, generate or publish.
Industry-led codes
An industry-led code of conduct sets standards for how an industry deals with its members and customers. Industry-led codes are a form of self-regulation and are voluntary.
Warranties
Businesses must honour any extra promises they make about product quality or how they will fix problems with their products or services.
Price displays
There are laws about how businesses display prices. They cover how prices are displayed, and what must be included in the displayed prices.
Problem with a product or service you sold
When a business sells a product or service that doesn’t meet basic rights known as consumer guarantees, it must offer the consumer a solution, such as a repair, replacement or refund.
Product safety responsibilities
Businesses must protect consumers by selling safe products, complying with standards, and taking action if a safety issue occurs.
Pricing
Businesses have certain rights and responsibilities when setting and displaying the prices of their goods and services.