Australia: Consumer Law

From 1 October 2026, Visa, Mastercard and eftpos can ban businesses from adding surcharges to card transactions, enforced through merchant agreements.

The Federal Court of Australia has ruled that Coles Supermarkets' 'Down Down' promotional pricing was misleading to consumers, despite the advertised prices being factually accurate. The case examines whether temporary price increases followed by promotional discounts constitute genuine savings, and establishes critical standards for how long a higher price must be maintained before retailers can legitimately advertise it as a discount reference point.

When should businesses initiate a voluntary product recall, and what legal obligations must they fulfill under Australian Consumer Law? This article examines the circumstances requiring recall action, outlines the mandatory notification process to the ACCC, and explores preventative measures businesses can implement to minimize product safety risks.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has accepted a court-enforceable undertaking from Aidacare Pty Ltd after the healthcare equipment supplier admitted to making false or misleading representations about consumer rights and using unfair contract terms. This case demonstrates how standard form contracts that limit consumer guarantees can face regulatory scrutiny, with remedies extending to all affected customers over a defined period.

Australia's mandatory security standards for consumer smart devices commenced this week on 4 March 2026, introducing three baseline cyber requirements for consumer‑grade products...

The Competition and Consumer Amendment (Unfair Trading Practices) Bill 2026 (Cth), released by the Federal Government this month will amend the Australian Consumer Law to prohibit...

Under the ACL, making false or misleading representations about a business' technological capabilities carries significant penalties.

FC ruled that Apple misused its market power under the CCA by restricting app distribution & in-app payment options on iOS, substantially lessening competition.

Responsible lending obligations are a central aspect of the regulation of consumer credit under the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009 (Cth) (NCCP Act).