consumer advocacy Archives - Consumers' Federation of Australia

16 October , 2026

Open for Public Comment: Revised Home Composting Standard

Composting is the natural recycling of organic waste, while it’s a seemingly simple concept, the world of composting can be full of confusion. People often use the terms ‘biodegradable’ and ‘compostable’ interchangeably – although they’re not the same thing, find out more in Composting for Beginners. In Australia, products claiming to be home compostable must be…

9 October , 2026

Course Launch for the Consumer Advocacy Essentials

Join us for the launch of Consumer Advocacy Essentials, CFA’s new online course for consumer advocates. The launch event will feature a live panel discussion featuring ASIC Commissioner, Alan Kirkland and Consumer Affairs Victoria Director, Nicole Rich, as well as a first look at course content and everything you need to get started. Register here…

31 July , 2026

Consumer Advocacy Award 2026

The 2026 ACCC National Consumer Congress has been held and with it, the Consumers’ Federation of Australia’s annual Consumer Advocacy Award. This year saw four projects and campaigns presented by CFA members from across the consumer advocacy sector, each of which saw substantial benefit to many consumers. The nominees this year were: 1. Stronger Voices,…

19 June , 2026

Menstrual Hygiene – Safe consumer access

Menstrual health hygiene includes the practices, facilities, and education to manage menstruation safely, privately, and with dignity. It encompasses proper body care, access to safe and affordable products, and the sanitation services required to manage the menstrual cycle comfortably. Menstruation (also called a “period”) is a normal biological process experienced by millions around the world…

22 April , 2026

Consumer Advocacy Award – 2026 Nominations Now Open!

The Consumers’ Federation of Australia (CFA) is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the 2026 Consumer Advocacy Award. This award recognises the best consumer advocacy campaign or project run by a CFA member organisation during the past year. If your organisation or group has delivered an outstanding campaign or project, we would love to hear from…

9 March , 2026

World Consumer Rights Day 15 March 2026

Across the world, consumers continue to encounter unsafe, counterfeit or poor-quality products — from children’s toys and household electronics to medicines and everyday goods. World Consumer Rights Day, coordinated by Consumers International, is the only globally recognised day dedicated to promoting consumer rights and needs. This year’s theme Safe Products, Confident Consumers, calls for collective action across…

27 January , 2026

Consultation Opens for Supermarket Price and Loyalty Program Transparency

The Federal Government has released a consultation paper on new requirements for supermarkets to improve transparency about prices, promotions and loyalty programs. The proposals directly respond to recommendations from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s Supermarkets Inquiry, which found that current pricing and promotional practices often make it too difficult for consumers to assess value…

22 January , 2026

Karen Cox Appointed as Consumer Representative to COBCCC

The Customer Owned Banking Code Compliance Committee (COBCCC) has welcomed the appointment of Ms Karen Cox as its new Consumer Representative, bringing decades of consumer advocacy experience and deep expertise in banking reform to the Committee’s oversight of the Customer Owned Banking Code of Practice. Ms Cox has been appointed by the Consumers’ Federation of…

3 October , 2025

Financial Counsellors Publish New Hardship Best-Practice Guide for Organisations

A new set of nationally endorsed Principles of Good Hardship Practice has been released, setting a best-practice guide for how organisations should support people experiencing financial difficulty. Developed by the financial counselling sector, the ten core principles focus on respectful communication, early intervention, and fair, compassionate support for people in hardship. “Too often, people in financial hardship…

2 October , 2025

Misused and Confused – Report Highlights Need for Information and Transparency

The Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC), with funding from Energy Consumers Australia, has recently released a report (Misused and Confused: Why information on large appliances falls short) on the practices around the sale of large appliances; specifically focusing on what Australian consumers are looking for (“reliable, affordable products with clear information on repair options, efficiency,…

19 September , 2025

Federal government consults on proposed new protections for aviation consumers

The federal government is conducting another consultation on the proposed design and implementation of aviation consumer protections. The consultation being undertaken by the Department of Infrastructure and consists of two key elements: CHOICE’s media release on the consultation and the government’s proposals is available here: https://www.choice.com.au/about-us/media/media-releases/2025/september/aviation-consumer-protection-scheme-a-welcome-first-step-but-still-falls-short

17 September , 2025

ANZ Admits to Unconscionable Conduct

Financial Counselling Australia (FCA) welcomes the announcement that ANZ has admitted to widespread misconduct and has agreed to pay $240 million in penalties. ANZ has admitted to unconscionable conduct, overstating bond trading data by tens of billions, and widespread misconduct affecting nearly 65,000 customers. The matters will now be considered by the Federal Court which…