Australian Government Agencies
Below are links to the government departments responsible for consumer affairs and fair trading policy and regulation. These departments generally provide information and education on the rights and responsibilities of businesses and consumers, carry out registration and licensing of businesses and help resolve disputes between consumers and traders.
Other sites providing information for consumers and businesses
Consumers Online (Australian Government, Treasury)
This website is hosted by the Australian Government Treasury Department and contains information regarding consumer rights in a range of areas including banking, cars, food and shopping online.
Ministerial Council on Consumer Affairs (MCCA)
The MCCA is made up of all Commonwealth, State, Territory and New Zealand Ministers responsible for fair trading, consumer protection and credit. The role of the MCCA is to consider consumer affairs and fair trading matters of national significance and where possible, develop a consistent approach to those issues. The website contains information for consumers and businesses including in relation to consumer protection in Australia and New Zealand.
Scamwatch
SCAMwatch is a website run by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC). The aim of SCAMwatch is to provide information to consumers and small business about how to recognise, avoid and report scams. Explore SCAMwatch to find out more about the scams that might target you and your friends. You can also sign up to receive free SCAMwatch email alerts so that you can be warned about scams hitting the SCAMwatch Radar.
SCAMwatch is also the campaign portal for the Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce. The ACFT is a group of 18 government regulatory agencies and departments with responsibility for consumer protection regarding frauds and scams. ACFT partners all recognise the seriousness of consumer fraud in Australasia and are committed to disseminating the ACFT's message to consumers during the scams awareness month.
Australian Federal Regulators
Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA)
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is responsible for the regulation of broadcasting, radiocommunications, telecommunications and online content, promoting self-regulation and competition in the telecommunications industry, while protecting consumers and other users
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)
The ACCC is an independent Commonwealth statutory authority. It was formed in 1995 to administer the Trade Practices Act 1974 and the Prices Surveillance Act 1983. The ACCC promotes competition and consumer protection to benefit consumers, business and the community. The website contains information on consumer rights in relation to debt collection, pricing, internet shopping, scams, unsolicited goods, labelling, safety information, banned and recalled goods, misleading and deceptive conduct.
Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)
ASIC enforces and regulates company and financial services laws to protect consumers, investors and creditors. ASIC is an independent Australian statutory authority. ASIC has regulated financial markets, securities, futures and corporations since January 1991. From 1998, ASIC became responsible for consumer protection in superannuation, insurance, deposit taking and, from 2002, credit.
Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority (APRA)
APRA is the prudential regulator of the Australian financial services industry. It oversees banks, credit unions, building societies, general insurance and reinsurance companies, life insurance, friendly societies, and most members of the superannuation industry. APRA is funded largely by the industries that it regulates.
Each Australian State and Territory has an independent regulator responsible for protecting the community’s interests in prescribed essential utility services such as the electricity, gas, water, sewerage, ports, grain handling and rail freight industries.
Economic Regulation Authority (ERA) – Western Australia
Regulatory functions for the gas, rail and water industries in Western Australia were transferred to the ERA on 1 January 2004. When the economic regulation framework for electricity is finalised, this function will also be performed by the ERA. A number of gas-related functions in licensing and full retail contestability have been transferred to the ERA. The ERA’s role also includes an inquiry function to report on matters referred to it by the Western Australian Government.
Essential Services Commission of South Australia (ESCOSA)
ESCOSA regulates prices, performs licensing and other functions and monitors and enforces compliance with standards and conditions of supply of South Australian essential services.
Essential Services Commission Victoria (ESCV)
The ESCV commenced operations on 1 January 2002 as Victoria’s independent economic regulator of prescribed essential utility services, including the electricity, gas, water and rail industries.
Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission (ICRC) – ACT
ICRC is a statutory body set up to regulate prices and access to essential infrastructure services in the ACT and other matters in relation to regulated industries. ICRC also investigates competitive neutrality complaints. ICRC has responsibility for licensing utility services and ensuring compliance with licence conditions.
Independent Pricing and Regulatory Authority (IPART) – New South Wales
IPART’s role is to set prices for monopoly services provided by government agencies in New South Wales (including water and public transport services), regulate third party access to electricity and gas networks, and administer licensing or authorisation of water, electricity and gas businesses.
Office of the Tasmanian Energy Regulator (OTTER)
From mid-2001, the role of OTTER included responsibilities for regulation of the emergent natural gas industry in Tasmania, including enforcement of the minimum standards for the operation of a distribution system and the terms and conditions under which distribution services will be provided to gas retail customers. The functions of OTTER also include administration of the licensing system for electricity entities in Tasmania and monitoring and regulating technical standards in the electricity supply industry. OTTER also issues, maintains and enforces the Tasmanian Electricity Code.
Queensland Competition Authority (QCA)
The QCA’s main responsibilities are to ensure that government owned monopolies and privately owned water monopolies in Queensland do not abuse their market power. QCA also ensures that significant government business activities competing with the private sector do so fairly and that essential infrastructure based in Queensland is accessible to all potential users.