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/

Australian Consumer Law

As of 1 January 2011, Australia has a single, national consumer law: Australian Consumer Law (ACL). The ACL includes unfair contract terms law, law guaranteeing consumer rights when buying goods and services, product safety law, law for unsolicited consumer agreements, rules for lay-by agreements and new penalties, enforcement powers and consumer redress options. The ACL applies nationally and in all states and territories.

http://www.consumerlaw.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

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/

MoneySmart

The MoneySmart website, run by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, offers free, simple guidance you can trust to help you make the best choices for your money. Put together by an experienced team of financial planners and consumer educators, the website covers superannuation, banking, investing, borrowing and credit, insurance, budgeting, scams, retirement income planning and unclaimed money. Includes links to calculators and tools to help you with your personal finances.

http://moneysmart.gov.au/

National consumer credit regulation

This section of the Australilan Securities and Investments Commission site provides information about National consumer credit regulation, registration and licensing.

http://www.asic.gov.au/credit

Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR)

The PPSR national register will let you check that the used goods you are buying, like a car, boat or machinery - almost anything except real estate - doesn’t have a security interest over it. It also provides additional protection for businesses that lease or supply goods, in the event that a debtor defaults or goes bankrupt.

http://www.ppsr.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 both individuals and businesses about how to protect your financial identity in everyday life and minimise the damage if a problem occurs.

http://www.protectfinancialid.org.au/

Recalls Australia

iPhone, iPod touch, iPad and Android - Consumers can search for information on recalled consumer goods on the Recalls Australia website. You can search the database, receive notifications of new recalls and report products you think are unsafe (you can even attach a photo of it).

http://www.productsafety.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/995608

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/

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