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/

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.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/

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/

Report a scam

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/report-a-scam

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/

Search the Consumer and Business directory

Search the Consumer and business directory for the contact details of over 1600 private, community and government organisations.

http://australia.gov.au/service/search-the-consumer-and-business-directory

Subscribe to product safety recalls

Subscribe to Product Safety Recalls Australia to receive overnight alerts on one or more product recall categories.

http://australia.gov.au/service/subscribe-to-product-safety-recalls

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