Consumer Protection
An Australian Consumer Law
Provides information about the development of the Australian Consumer Law which will be a single, national law concerning consumer protection and fair trading, which will apply in the same way nationally and in each State and Territory.
http://www.treasury.gov.au/consumerlaw/
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is an independent Australian Government 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 fair trade in the market place to benefit consumers, business and the community. It also regulates national infrastructure services. Its primary responsibility is to ensure that individuals and businesses comply with the Commonwealth competition, fair trading and consumer protection laws. In fair trading and consumer protection its role complements that of the state and territory consumer affairs agencies which administer the mirror legislation of their jurisdictions, and the Competition and Consumer Policy Division of the Commonwealth Treasury.
http://www.accc.gov.au/
Consumer and Business directory search
Search the Consumer and business directory for the contact details of over 1600 private, community and government organisations.
http://australia.gov.au/service/consumer-and-business-directory-search
FIDO - Financial tips and safety checks
This website, called FIDO, provides financial tips and safety checks for Australian consumers and investors from the Australian Securities & Investments Commission. It covers superannuation, financial advice, shares, managed funds, insurance, banking, credit, debt, money management, warnings about scams, investing, financial information and unclaimed money.
http://www.fido.asic.gov.au/
For consumers
This section of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission site provides information on the rights of the consumer, such as guarantees, warranties and refunds and internet shopping. Also covers issues relating to phones, misleading conduct, GST and pricing, medical and health services, professional services and international consumer issues.
http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/tag/ForConsumers/
Links to useful information for individuals and communities on consumer protection
Community.gov.au is a portal to information for individuals and community organisations across Australia. In this section you will find links to consumer protection resources across Australia.
http://www.community.gov.au/Internet/MFMC/community.nsf/pages/Section?OpenDocument&Section=Consumer%20Protection
Ministerial Council on Consumer Affairs (MCCA)
Consists of all Commonwealth, State, Territory and New Zealand Ministers responsible for fair trading, consumer protection laws and credit laws. The role of MCCA is to consider consumer affairs and fair trading matters of national significance and, where possible, develop a consistent approach to those issues.
http://www.consumer.gov.au/
Product Safety Australia
The website is designed to give consumers, businesses and other interested parties a single entry point to information that helps to minimise risks associated with unsafe products.
http://www.productsafety.gov.au/
Product safety email alerts
Subscribe to Product Safety Australia to receive overnight email alerts for new and updated content on any of the product categories.
http://australia.gov.au/service/product-safety-email-alerts
Product Safety Recalls Australia
View all Australian recalls and sign up for email notifications of product recalls as they happen.
http://www.recalls.gov.au/
Product safety recalls email alerts
Subscribe to Product Safety Recalls Australia to receive overnight alerts on one or more product recall categories.
http://australia.gov.au/service/product-safety-recalls-email-alerts
Protect Your Financial Identity
This website provides information for the public about how you can protect your financial identity in everyday life and minimise the damage if a problem occurs.
http://www.protectfinancialid.org.au/
Scams - reports and complaints
If you've been scammed or think you have seen a scam, there are many government agencies in Australia that you can contact for advice or to make a report.
http://australia.gov.au/service/scams-reports-and-complaints
Scamwatch
SCAMwatch, by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC), provides information to consumers and small business about how to recognise, avoid and report scams. If you lose money to a scam, it is unlikely that you will be able to recover your loss. Prevention is definitely a better option when it comes to scams.
http://www.scamwatch.gov.au/
Uniform Consumer Credit Code
The Consumer Credit Code was developed in response to business and consumer concerns as a national initiative to standardise credit practice in Australia.
http://www.creditcode.gov.au/
Your rights and safeguards
Australian Communications and Media Authority page covering your right to a telephone service, the service guarantee for connection and repair of faults, interim and alternative services, priority assistance, terms and conditions of service, untimed local calls, service for people with disabilities or special needs and codes of practice.
http://www.acma.gov.au/ACMAINTER.131402:STANDARD::pc=PC_2030
