Australia: Consumer Protection

Businesses must ensure their commercial sales contracts clearly define terms, obligations, and remedies to avoid disputes and legal liability.

Australia's parliament has passed legislation doubling maximum penalties under competition and consumer law, raising civil and criminal fines to AU$100 million per contravention. What will these enhanced enforcement powers mean for businesses operating under the Competition and Consumer Act, and how should companies prepare for the upcoming unfair trading practices reforms set to take effect in July 2027?

A recent High Court of Australia decision has highlighted the important distinction between trade mark infringement and misleading and deceptive conduct under Australian Consumer Law (ACL).

Australia's parliament has passed legislation doubling maximum penalties under competition and consumer law, raising civil and criminal fines to AU$100 million per contravention. What will these enhanced enforcement powers mean for businesses operating under the Competition and Consumer Act, and how should companies prepare for the upcoming unfair trading practices reforms set to take effect in July 2027?

The general prohibition would introduce new concepts into the ACL for which there is no existing case law or guidance.

Case example where we acted for a consumer who successfully obtained a full refund for a defective second-hand car.

This article aims to clarify why it is important that you and your business understand the difference between consumer guarantees and warranties.

The NSW Court of Appeal's decision reinforces orthodox principles governing misleading or deceptive conduct.

The submission emphasises the need for a risk-based approach that better reflects existing consumer protections already embedded in Australian law.

On 31 March 2026, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) published its conclusions paper titled Merchant Card Payments Costs and Surcharging.

For many financial services and credit businesses, holding an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) or Australian Credit Licence is fundamental to operating lawfully in Australia.

The NSW Court of Appeal's decision reinforces orthodox principles governing misleading or deceptive conduct.