Consumers' Federation of Australia

29 August , 2025

Scam Reports Down and Monetary Losses Up from 2024

Australians reported more than 108,000 scams and financial losses of about $175 million to the National Anti-Scam Centre’s Scamwatch service in the first half of 2025, with fake websites, online advertisements, and contact through social media criminals’ preferred methods of reaching people. This Scams Awareness Week (25-29 August), the National Anti-Scam Centre is joining together…

26 August , 2025

Consumer Sector Submission for Independent Life Insurance Code Review

The Council of Australian Life Insurers (CALI) has recently appointed Peter Kell to conduct and Independent Review of the Life Insurance Code of Practice (the Life Code). As part of the Review, the Consumers’ Federation of Australia has been asked to select an appropriate organisation from our members to conduct a funded sector-wide submission to…

8 August , 2025

New Report Shows Telcos Continue to Fail Vulnerable Consumers

A report released today (August 7 2025) by the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) finds telcos are failing to consistently support customers in financial hardship and, in some cases, are unintentionally causing or making financial stress worse. The report, ‘Keeping connected: Experiences of telco consumers in financial hardship,’ is informed by a review of over 900…

7 August , 2025

Peter Gartlan to Step Down as Co-CEO of Financial Counselling Australia

The Board of Financial Counselling Australia (FCA) has announced co-CEO, Peter Gartlan, is stepping down effective from 30th September 2025. Peter has worked at FCA since 2020 and became co-CEO in February 2024. “We thank Peter for his leadership, dedication, and the impact he has had on our organisation throughout his tenure as co-CEO and prior…

29 July , 2025

Baby sleep mattresses – world first safety standard

We all want to keep baby safe, especially during sleep and world-first safety standards in Australia aim to help parents reduce infant mortality rates due to SUDI and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The updated AS 5407.1 and 54o7.2 for Enhanced Firmness – recognises that overly soft surfaces like pillows, mattresses, and adult beds are…

22 July , 2025

Most Consumers Consider Communications an Essential Service

Home internet and mobile connectivity are now considered essential by the vast majority of Australians. Price is the number one factor when choosing a plan, yet few people are actively checking the market for a better deal. These are some of the key insights from the new Consumer Sentiment Tracker, commissioned by the peak communications…

21 July , 2025

RBA Seeks Feedback on Payment Costs and Surcharging

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) issued a media release on Tuesday 15 July in conjunction with the release of a Consultation Paper for the Review of Merchant Card Payment Costs and Surcharging. Based on the extensive public consultation since October 2024 is currently proposing the removal of surcharge on eftops, Mastercard and Visa cards;…

15 July , 2025

Landmark Standard to Empower and Protect Children in the Metaverse

The Metaverse, an innovative complex virtual environment that’s emerging as the next online frontier, is fraught with risks to children including online bullying, grooming, and identity theft. The new landmark Australian standard AS 5402:2025 Children’s Safety in the Metaverse provides a framework for advancing children’s safety in the Metaverse with a focus on privacy and accessibility.…

7 July , 2025

Centrepay Reforms Take Home the 2025 Consumer Advocacy Award

At the 2025 ACCC National Consumer Congress the Consumers’ Federation of Australia, with help from CPRC’s Chandni Gupta, was proud to present our Consumer Advocacy Award for the best consumer advocacy campaign or project of the past year. The nominees this year were: 1. 10 Successes of the National Scams Campaign – scams are a huge…

19 June , 2025

Scam Warning for ACCC Impersonators

The National Anti-Scam Centre is warning Australians to remain vigilant following reports scammers have been impersonating phone numbers belonging to the ACCC in an attempt to steal personal information. The ACCC and the National Anti-Scam Centre, which operates under the ACCC, have become aware of scammers using publicly available ACCC phone numbers, which are listed…

18 June , 2025

Optus Admits to Unconscionable Conduct, Advocates Welcome ACCC Action but Highlight Need for Strong Telco Regulation

Australia’s peak communications consumer body, ACCAN, has welcomed news that Optus will pay one of the largest consumer law penalties in Australian history – a $100 million fine, subject to court approval, for unconscionable conduct. ACCAN CEO Carol Bennett said, “Unconscionable conduct is a high bar and one that Optus has spectacularly surpassed in its behaviour…

18 June , 2025

Advocates Welcome ACCC Review into Unsolicited Selling

Consumer Action Law Centre CEO, Stephanie Tonkin says she is thrilled by the decision of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to launch a detailed review into the national impact and harms of unsolicited selling, consultation which opens today. “This decision by our national, economy-wide regulator shows the dynamic power of the ‘designated complaint’ super-complaint…