Legislation

The Australian Consumer Law

The full text of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) is set out in Schedule 2 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (previously known as the Trade Practices Act 1974 (TPA)).

The ACCC website provides extensive advice on how the provisions of the ACL apply in practice for both consumers and businesses.

These and other guides are designed to explain the ACL in simple language, but are not a substitute for the legislation. They provide general information and examples and do not constitute legal advice or a definitive list of situations where the law applies.

Further information about the ACL is set out in the Explanatory Memorandum and the Supplementary Explanatory Memorandum.

ACL Regulations

Regulations made under the ACL are set out in Parts 6 and 7 of the Competition and Consumer Regulations 2010.

The ACL Regulations give practical effect to the ACL provisions dealing with:

  • prescribed requirements for asserting a right to payment;
  • agreements that are not unsolicited consumer agreements;
  • requirements for warranties against defects and repair notices; and
  • reporting requirements for goods or product-related services associated with death, serious injury or serious illness.

Further information about the ACL Regulations is set out in the Explanatory Statement.