Australian Competition & Consumer Commission
Each year, the ACCC identifies Product Safety Priorities to minimise and raise awareness of the risks posed by unsafe consumer goods. The priorities are key areas of focus that are set annually in addition to our core functions. This year we are interested in your views on the work we are conducting under our current…
Read More ACCC Product Safety Priorities Survey 2023-24
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The ACCC has recommended a range of new measures to address harms from digital platforms to Australian consumers, small businesses and competition. The fifth report of the ACCC’s five-year Digital Platform Services Inquiry has proposed that platforms be subject to mandatory dispute resolution processes and stronger requirements for combating scams, harmful apps and fake reviews,…
Read More ACCC calls for new competition and consumer laws for digital platforms
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Australians are being urged to learn how to spot a scam this national Scams Awareness Week (7-11 November) after combined losses of over $2 billion reported last year to Scamwatch, the government and the financial sector. This year combined losses might reach $4 billion as losses reported to Scamwatch are already significantly higher than 2021.…
Read More Scams Awareness Week 2022 empowers Australians to spot a scam
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Companies that breach the competition and consumer laws could face new and higher penalties under legal changes which passed Parliament last week. The changes consist of two parts; the introduction of penalties and other changes relating to unfair contract terms, and significant increases in maximum penalties for breaches of certain provisions of the Competition and…
Read More ACCC welcomes new penalties and expansion of the unfair contract terms laws
The ACCC has welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement of new work for the ACCC in scams, childcare, water trading and an extension of the ACCC’s gas inquiry role. “We look forward to delivering on these new responsibilities, as well as our ongoing work to promote competition and fairer markets for consumers and small businesses,” ACCC…
Read More ACCC receives additional responsibilities in budget
ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb has welcomed the Governor General’s recent appointment of Catriona Lowe as ACCC Deputy Chair and applauded the contribution of departing Deputy Chair Delia Rickard. Ms Lowe has been appointed for a five-year term from 27 January 2023 when Ms Rickard will finish her term after more than a decade with the…
Read More ACCC pays tribute to Delia Rickard, welcomes Catriona Lowe as Deputy Chair
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Businesses need to be ready to substantiate any environmental or sustainability claims when marketing their goods and services, ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard said today. This is a media release from the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC). It was originally published on 20th September, 2022. In a speech to the Sydney Morning Herald Sustainability Summit this…
Read More Businesses told to be prepared to back up their environmental claims
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Scamwatch is urging the public to be wary of phone messages from a family member or friend claiming they need help, following a significant rise in “Hi Mum” scams in recent months. This is a media release from the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC). It was originally published on 23rd August, 2022. More than 1,150 Australians fell…
Read More ACCC warning of suspicious messages as “Hi Mum” scams spike
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The following is a piece by Dr Ron Somers (PhD) former external senior lecturer in public health at the University of Adelaide, former director of epidemiology at SA Health, and a long-time GP practice manager. Ron is also the CFA Standards Representative on two Standards Australia Technical Committees. Australian consumers need to exercise caution over the coming…
Read More Red alert for dangerous infant mattresses
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The ACCC is seeking feedback on ways to reduce significant safety risks associated with products commonly used to place babies to sleep. A consultation paper published today, outlines a range of proposed regulatory options which aim to prevent infant injuries and deaths caused by inclined and other products when used for sleep. This is a media release from the Australian…
Read More ACCC seeks to reduce infant sleep product risks to help keep babies safe
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Australian consumers have reported widespread consumer guarantee failures, misrepresentations by caravan suppliers, and unexpected delays in the delivery and repair of caravans, according to the ACCC’s New caravan retailing report released today. This is a media release from the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC). It was originally published on 21st July, 2022. The report highlights key issues of concern…
Read More Caravan industry on notice for poor treatment of consumers
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Parents and carers can get the latest, most reliable information on best practices to keep their baby safe and unsafe products, as part of a new ACCC initiative. Your First Steps, launched today by the ACCC, is a dedicated website, where parents and carers can go for safety advice on how they can protect their…
Read More ACCC launches Your First Steps to help parents keep their baby safe
