Australian Consumer Law

Historically the States and Territories of Australia were responsible for their own legislation protecting the sale of goods, known as the Trade Practices Act 1974, where the Australian Consumer Law expands on provisions of the fair trading legislation in each state and territory to a national legislation covering the provision of goods and services, of a consumer based nature, within Australia.

In December 2014, the Federal Court of Australia, on the application of the ACCC, issued a $10 million pecuniary penalty order against Coles Supermarkets in relation to two connected proceedings arising from payment demands by Coles to which it was not entitled by threatening harm to the suppliers that did not comply with such demands.

[11][12] In December 2021, the Federal Court found that the ACL prohibits class action waivers.

[13] The ACL is administered and enforced jointly by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission and the State and Territory consumer protection agencies, with the involvement of Australian Securities & Investments Commission on financial services matters.

Implementing identical consumer protection laws at Commonwealth and state/territory levels promotes consistency between jurisdictions.