Pricing | Page 4 | ACCC

Groceries

While the ACCC can’t set supermarket prices, we do require large supermarkets and online stores to display unit prices to help you compare many products. The Australian Consumer Law also protects you against businesses that make false claims about grocery items.

Price displays

There are laws about the way prices are displayed. Prices should be genuine and you should be able to easily see the total price of anything advertised. If multiple different prices are displayed on a product or in advertising, the business has to fix the display or sell you the item for the lowest price.

Grocery unit prices

Big supermarkets and online food stores must display the total price as well as the price per unit of measurement for many items.

Biofuels

Ethanol blended fuels and biodiesel contain renewable vegetable and animal products. The ACCC is monitoring developments in this emerging market.

About fuel prices

Petrol prices are determined by several overseas and local market forces. While the ACCC does monitor petrol prices, we do not set or control them.

Petrol price cycles

While price cycles usually operate in regular patterns, the cheapest and most expensive days to buy petrol change from cycle to cycle.

Horticulture code of conduct

Growers and traders need to comply with the Horticulture Code when buying and selling horticulture produce.

Unit Pricing Code

Businesses need to comply with the Unit Pricing Code if they sell certain food-based grocery items. Grocery retailers are required to display a unit price so that consumers can make informed choices.

Pricing & surcharging

Businesses have certain rights and responsibilities when setting and displaying the prices of their goods and services.

Setting prices

Businesses are free to set their prices and discount their goods and services as they see fit, but they must set their prices independently of their competitors. Pricing goods below cost can be illegal in certain circumstances.