Medical professionals
Medical professionals must comply with laws to ensure fair competition and protect consumers.
Business responsibilities
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.
Unfair business practices
There are a number of sales practices that are illegal for businesses to engage in when dealing with their customers.
Price fixing
It is illegal for competitors to work together to fix prices rather than compete against each other. This conduct restricts competition, and can force prices up and reduce choices for consumers and other businesses.
Bid rigging
Bid rigging, also referred to as collusive tendering, occurs when two or more competitors agree they will not compete genuinely with each other for tenders, allowing one of the cartel members to ‘win’ the tender. Participants in a bid rigging cartel may take turns to be the ‘winner’ by agreeing about the way they submit tenders, including some competitors agreeing not to tender.
Exclusive dealing
Broadly speaking, exclusive dealing occurs when one person trading with another imposes some restrictions on the other’s freedom to choose with whom, in what, or where they deal. Exclusive dealing is against the law only when it substantially lessens competition.
Receipts & proof of purchase
It is always a good idea to get a receipt or other proof of purchase for products and services you buy. Keep all records just in case something goes wrong later.
Debt collection
Debt collection occurs when creditors and collectors seek to secure payment from consumers or businesses who are legally bound to pay or to repay money they owe. It is important that any organisation involved in recovering debt is aware of its legal obligations.
Door-to-door & telemarketing sales
If your business approaches consumers directly, such as at their door or over the phone, to secure a sale, there are certain obligations you need to comply with.
Unconscionable conduct
Unconscionable conduct is generally understood to mean conduct which is so harsh that it goes against good conscience. Under the Australian Consumer Law, businesses must not engage in unconscionable conduct, when dealing with other businesses or their customers