Home › Legal Glossary › ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission)
Australian Consumer Law

ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission)

Australia's national competition and consumer regulator — responsible for enforcing the Australian Consumer Law (ACL), prohibiting anti-competitive conduct, and protecting consumers from deceptive and unconscionable business practices.

Legal Definition

The ACCC is an independent federal agency established under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010. It enforces the Australian Consumer Law (Schedule 2 to the Act), which prohibits misleading or deceptive conduct, unconscionable conduct, and unfair contract terms. The ACCC can issue infringement notices, accept court-enforceable undertakings, and seek significant civil penalties. Individual consumers file complaints through state fair trading offices rather than directly to the ACCC.

📖 Constitutional / Statutory Basis: Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth), Schedule 2 (Australian Consumer Law)

Practical Example

A telecommunications company advertises "unlimited data" plans that are actually throttled after a monthly threshold. The ACCC investigates and finds the advertising misleading. The company pays a $10 million penalty and must provide remedies to affected consumers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I complain about a business to the ACCC in Australia?
The ACCC does not resolve individual disputes — it uses complaints to identify systemic issues and enforcement priorities. For individual complaints, contact your state or territory fair trading office (e.g. NSW Fair Trading, Consumer Affairs Victoria). For online scams, report to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au).
What are automatic consumer guarantees under Australian Consumer Law?
Every product or service sold in Australia comes with automatic statutory guarantees — regardless of any written warranty. Products must be of acceptable quality, fit for purpose, and match descriptions. Services must be provided with due care and skill. These cannot be contracted out of.

Know the law. Know what to say.

The Advocate covers Australian law and Scripture — 389 real scenarios across 7 countries with exact rebuttals and law references. Free to start.

Explore Australian Rights — Free
or get a free checklist