Articles

A Stethoscope A Stethoscope

CHOICE research has discovered that Australians purchasing some Silver Plus health insurance policies are losing hundreds of dollars every year. The research follows CHOICE slamming the industry for rip-off Basic policies earlier this year. “Health insurers are scamming Australians with high-cost plus policies,” says Dean Price, Health Campaigner at CHOICE. “We’ve found over 215 Silver…

Read More Health insurers are scamming Australians with high-cost plus policies

A white letterbox A white letterbox

The surge in credit card fraud, identity fraud and scams is commonly achieved through mailbox theft.  Identity crime costs Australia upwards of $1.6 billion each year, with the majority (around $900m) lost by individuals through credit card fraud, identity theft and scams.  Mailboxes have become an easy target for thieves who find breaking into them…

Read More Identity theft and mailboxes

A childs hands playing with toy blocks A childs hands playing with toy blocks

Australians could be at risk of injuries or even death from 6.6 million individual products currently under voluntary recall, with about half of these still likely to be found in people’s homes, new figures show. Figures show that each year the ACCC is notified of about 650 consumer product recalls, but only about half of…

Read More Over a million recalled products still in circulation in Australia

A person's hands typing on a laptop A person's hands typing on a laptop

The Code Governance Committee (the Committee), has launched its website insurancecode.org.au. The Committee’s website is an independent resource for consumers, small business and Code subscribers that will be periodically updated with news about its work and publications. The Committee’s website includes: information about the Committee and what it does, the Code and Code subscribers information…

Read More General Insurance Code Governance Committee launches website

A blow-up swimming ring in a pool A blow-up swimming ring in a pool

Being around water is part of everyday Australian life, however drowning is one of the major causes of unintentional death for Australian children. In 2017/18, 18 Australian children aged 0-4 years drowned. The majority of these incidents occurred in backyard swimming pools. Pool and spa barriers can be effective in reducing the risk of drowning…

Read More Standard on safety barriers for swimming pools is open for public comment

A house in the right corner of the image A house in the right corner of the image

The Federal Government has directed the ACCC to immediately commence an inquiry into home loan pricing. The ACCC is to investigate a wide range of issues ranging from the rates paid by new vs existing customers, how the cost of financing for banks has affected bank decisions on interest rates, and why RBA cuts aren’t always…

Read More ACCC commences pricing transparency inquiry for home loans

A wifi modem A wifi modem

The ACCC will consider whether Australians are able to access basic broadband plans at fair and affordable prices, as part of an inquiry into NBN wholesale charges launched on Monday. The inquiry will examine wholesale prices paid by retail service providers (RSPs), which use the NBN to supply residential-grade broadband services. The ACCC’s inquiry will…

Read More Affordability of basic NBN products to be examined

A computer screen showing a stock market graph A computer screen showing a stock market graph

ASIC has warned Australian investors considering establishing their own self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) to be particularly aware of the potential downside to such a strategy, and that many Australians set up SMSFs that are inappropriate for their circumstances. ASIC has identified eight ‘red flag’ situations which, together or in part, would make it extremely unlikely…

Read More ASIC urges consumers to question whether SMSFs are right for them

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Consumer Data Standards would like to invite two members of CFA to attend a Consumer Experience workshop on the topic of consumer control. Focus of the workshop This workshop will generate ideas and directions for how to provide more control to Consumer Data Right (CDR) consumers. Consumer Data Standards are asking participants to prepare presentations…

Read More Invitation to Consumer Data Right workshop

Two people on a quad bike Two people on a quad bike

The ACCC has welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to improve the safety of quad bikes by introducing a new safety standard. The decision was announced by Assistant Treasurer the Hon Michael Sukkar today. The safety standard has three elements: improved information for potential purchasers, enhanced quad bike stability, and rollover protection to reduce injuries and…

Read More ACCC welcomes new quad bike safety standard

A lightbulb A lightbulb

Innovation is an increasingly important contributor to the success of an organization, enhancing its ability to adapt in a changing world. Consumers’ Federation of Australia has recently appointed a representative to Standards Australia’s Technical Committee MB-279 Innovation management mirroring the work of ISO TC 279. Consumers are integral to the innovation process since they have more know-how,…

Read More Innovation management and consumers

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World Standards Day will be on 14 October 2019. World Standards Day promotes the role of standards in meeting the needs of consumers, industry, business and government. Consumers’ Federation Australia takes this opportunity to thank all the CFA Standards representatives participating on Standards Australia Technical Committees who ensure that standards address the concerns of everyday Australians.  This…

Read More World Standards Day 14 October 2019: “Video standards create a global stage”