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Competition and Consumer Act 2010

Authoritative Version
  • - C2022C00326
  • In force - Superseded Version
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Act No. 51 of 1974 as amended, taking into account amendments up to Treasury Laws Amendment (More Competition, Better Prices) Act 2022
An Act relating to competition, fair trading and consumer protection, and for other purposes
Administered by: Attorney-General's; Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water; Industry, Science and Resources; Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts; Treasury
Registered 02 Dec 2022
Start Date 10 Nov 2022
End Date 16 Dec 2022
Table of contents.

Commonwealth Coat of Arms of Australia

Competition and Consumer Act 2010

No. 51, 1974

Compilation No. 141

Compilation date:                              10 November 2022

Includes amendments up to:            Act No. 54, 2022

Registered:                                         2 December 2022

This compilation is in 3 volumes

Volume 1:       sections 1–110

Volume 2:       sections 10.01–187

Volume 3:       Schedules

                        Endnotes

Each volume has its own contents

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 10 November 2022 (the compilation date).

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Legislation Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Editorial changes

For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.

Self‑repealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

  

  

  


Contents

Part I—Preliminary                                                                                                              1

1............................ Short title............................................................................ 1

2............................ Object of this Act................................................................ 1

2A......................... Application of Act to Commonwealth and Commonwealth authorities    1

2B.......................... Application of Act to States and Territories........................ 2

2BA....................... Application of Part IV to local government bodies............. 2

2C.......................... Activities that are not business............................................ 3

3............................ Repeal................................................................................. 4

4............................ Interpretation....................................................................... 5

4A......................... Subsidiary, holding and related bodies corporate.............. 21

4B.......................... Consumers........................................................................ 24

4C.......................... Acquisition, supply and re‑supply.................................... 24

4E.......................... Market.............................................................................. 25

4F.......................... References to purpose or reason....................................... 25

4G......................... Lessening of competition to include preventing or hindering competition                26

4H......................... Application of Act in relation to leases and licences of land and buildings              26

4J........................... Joint ventures.................................................................... 27

4K.......................... Loss or damage to include injury...................................... 27

4KA....................... Definitions etc. that do not apply in Part XI or Schedule 2 28

4L.......................... Severability....................................................................... 28

4M......................... Saving of law relating to restraint of trade and breaches of confidence    28

4N......................... Extended application of Part IIIA..................................... 28

5............................ Extended application of this Act to conduct outside Australia  29

6............................ Extended application of this Act to persons who are not corporations     30

6AA...................... Application of the Criminal Code..................................... 37

Part II—The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission     38

6A......................... Establishment of Commission.......................................... 38

7............................ Constitution of Commission............................................. 39

8............................ Terms and conditions of appointment............................... 39

8A......................... Associate members........................................................... 39

8AB....................... AER members taken to be associate members.................. 41

9............................ Remuneration.................................................................... 41

10.......................... Deputy Chairpersons........................................................ 42

11.......................... Acting Chairperson........................................................... 42

12.......................... Leave of absence............................................................... 43

13.......................... Termination of appointment of members of the Commission.. 43

14.......................... Termination of appointment of associate members of the Commission    44

15.......................... Resignation....................................................................... 45

16.......................... Arrangement of business.................................................. 45

17.......................... Disclosure of interests by Chairperson............................. 45

17A....................... Disclosure of certain interests by members of the Commission when taking part in determinations of matters.......................................................................................... 45

18.......................... Meetings of Commission.................................................. 46

19.......................... Chairperson may direct Commission to sit in Divisions... 47

25.......................... Delegation by Commission............................................... 49

26.......................... Delegation by Commission of certain functions and powers 49

27.......................... Staff of Commission......................................................... 51

27A....................... Consultants....................................................................... 51

28.......................... Functions of Commission in relation to dissemination of information, law reform and research             51

29.......................... Commission to comply with directions of Minister and requirements of the Parliament          53

Part IIA—The National Competition Council                                                   54

29A....................... Establishment of Council.................................................. 54

29B........................ Functions and powers of Council..................................... 54

29BA..................... Commonwealth consent to conferral of functions etc. on Council           55

29BB..................... How duty is imposed........................................................ 56

29BC..................... When a State/Territory energy law imposes a duty........... 57

29C........................ Membership of Council.................................................... 57

29D....................... Terms and conditions of office......................................... 57

29E........................ Acting Council President.................................................. 58

29F........................ Remuneration of Councillors............................................ 58

29G....................... Leave of absence............................................................... 58

29H....................... Termination of appointment of Councillors...................... 59

29I......................... Resignation of Councillors............................................... 59

29J......................... Arrangement of Council business..................................... 59

29L........................ Council meetings.............................................................. 60

29LA..................... Resolutions without meetings........................................... 60

29M....................... Staff to help Council......................................................... 61

29N....................... Consultants....................................................................... 61

29O....................... Annual report.................................................................... 61

Part III—The Australian Competition Tribunal                                              63

30.......................... Constitution of Tribunal.................................................... 63

31.......................... Qualifications of members of Tribunal............................. 63

31A....................... Appointment of Judge as presidential member of Tribunal not to affect tenure etc. 63

32.......................... Terms and conditions of appointment............................... 64

33.......................... Remuneration and allowances of members of Tribunal.... 64

34.......................... Acting appointments......................................................... 64

35.......................... Suspension and removal of members of Tribunal............. 66

36.......................... Resignation....................................................................... 66

37.......................... Constitution of Tribunal for particular matters.................. 67

38.......................... Validity of determinations................................................. 67

39.......................... President may give directions........................................... 67

40.......................... Disclosure of interests by members of Tribunal............... 67

41.......................... Presidential member to preside......................................... 68

42.......................... Decision of questions....................................................... 68

43.......................... Member of Tribunal ceasing to be available...................... 68

43A....................... Counsel assisting Tribunal................................................ 69

43B........................ Consultants....................................................................... 69

44.......................... Staff of Tribunal............................................................... 70

44A....................... Acting appointments......................................................... 70

Part IIIAA—The Australian Energy Regulator (AER)                              71

Division 1—Preliminary                                                                                            71

44AB..................... Definitions........................................................................ 71

44AC..................... This Part binds the Crown................................................ 71

44AD.................... Extra‑territorial operation.................................................. 71

Division 2—Establishment of the AER                                                              73

44AE..................... Establishment of the AER................................................. 73

44AF..................... AER to hold money and property on behalf of the Commonwealth         73

44AG.................... Constitution of the AER................................................... 73

Division 3—Functions and powers of the AER                                             74

44AH.................... Commonwealth functions................................................. 74

44AI...................... Commonwealth consent to conferral of functions etc. on AER                74

44AIA................... No merits review of AER decisions................................. 75

44AJ...................... How duty is imposed........................................................ 75

44AK..................... When a State/Territory energy law etc. imposes a duty..... 77

44AL..................... Powers of the AER........................................................... 77

Division 4—Administrative provisions relating to the AER                  78

Subdivision A—Appointment etc. of members                                                 78

44AM.................... Appointment of Commonwealth AER members.............. 78

44AO.................... Acting appointment of Commonwealth AER member...... 78

44AP..................... Appointment of State/Territory AER members................. 79

44AQ.................... Acting appointment of State/Territory AER member........ 79

44AR..................... AER Chair........................................................................ 80

44ARA.................. AER Deputy Chair........................................................... 80

44ARB.................. AER Deputy Chair to act as the AER Chair..................... 81

44AS..................... Acting AER Deputy Chair................................................ 81

44AT..................... Remuneration of AER members....................................... 82

44AU.................... Additional remuneration of AER Chair............................ 82

44AV.................... Leave of absence............................................................... 82

44AW.................... Other terms and conditions............................................... 83

44AX.................... Outside employment......................................................... 83

44AY.................... Disclosure of interests...................................................... 83

44AZ..................... Resignation....................................................................... 84

44AAB.................. Termination of appointment.............................................. 84

Subdivision B—Staff etc. to assist the AER                                                       85

44AAC.................. Staff etc. to assist the AER............................................... 85

Subdivision C—Meetings of the AER etc.                                                          85

44AAD................. Meetings........................................................................... 85

44AAE.................. Resolutions without meetings........................................... 86

44AAEA............... Arbitration........................................................................ 86

Subdivision CA—Divisions of the AER                                                              87

44AAEB............... Divisions of the AER—functions and powers under a law of the Commonwealth 87

44AAEC............... Divisions of the AER—functions and powers under a State/Territory energy law or a local energy instrument.......................................................................................... 89

Subdivision D—Miscellaneous                                                                              91

44AAF.................. Confidentiality.................................................................. 91

44AAFA............... Power of AER to obtain information and documents....... 93

44AAFB............... Failure to comply with notice to give information etc. is an offence         94

44AAFC............... AER may inspect, copy and retain documents.................. 95

44AAG................. Federal Court may make certain orders............................. 96

44AAGA.............. Federal Court may order disconnection if an event specified in the National Electricity Rules occurs     97

44AAH................. Delegation by the AER..................................................... 98

44AAI................... Fees.................................................................................. 98

44AAK.................. Regulations may deal with transitional matters................. 98

Part IIIAB—Application of the finance law                                                     100

44AAL.................. Application of the finance law........................................ 100

Part IIIA—Access to services                                                                                      101

Division 1—Preliminary                                                                                          101

44AA.................... Objects of Part................................................................ 101

44B........................ Definitions...................................................................... 101

44C........................ How this Part applies to partnerships and joint ventures 105

44CA..................... Meaning of declaration criteria...................................... 106

44D....................... Meaning of designated Minister..................................... 107

44DA.................... The principles in the Competition Principles Agreement have status as guidelines  108

44E........................ This Part binds the Crown.............................................. 109

Division 2—Declared services                                                                             110

Subdivision A—Recommendation by the Council                                         110

44F........................ Person may request recommendation.............................. 110

44FA..................... Council may request information.................................... 112

44G....................... Criteria for the Council recommending declaration of a service               113

44GA.................... Time limit for Council recommendations........................ 113

44GB..................... Council may invite public submissions on the application 115

44GC..................... Council must publish its recommendation...................... 117

Subdivision B—Declaration by the designated Minister                              118

44H....................... Designated Minister may declare a service..................... 118

44HA.................... Designated Minister must publish his or her decision.... 118

44I......................... Duration and effect of declaration................................... 119

44J......................... Revocation of declaration................................................ 120

44K........................ Review of declaration..................................................... 121

44KA..................... Tribunal may stay operation of declaration..................... 122

44KB..................... Tribunal may order costs be awarded............................. 124

44L........................ Review of decision not to revoke a declaration............... 125

Division 2AA—Services that are ineligible to be declared                   127

Subdivision A—Scope of Division                                                                      127

44LA..................... Constitutional limits on operation of this Division.......... 127

Subdivision B—Ineligibility recommendation by Council                          127

44LB..................... Ineligibility recommendation........................................... 127

44LC..................... Council may request information.................................... 129

44LD..................... Time limit for Council recommendations........................ 130

44LE...................... Council may invite public submissions on the application 132

44LF...................... Council must publish its recommendation...................... 133

Subdivision C—Designated Minister’s decision on ineligibility                 134

44LG..................... Designated Minister’s decision on ineligibility............... 134

44LH..................... Designated Minister must publish his or her decision.... 136

Subdivision D—Revocation of ineligibility decision                                     136

44LI....................... Revocation of ineligibility decision................................. 136

Subdivision E—Review of decisions                                                                  138

44LJ...................... Review of ineligibility decisions..................................... 138

44LK..................... Review of decision to revoke or not revoke an ineligibility decision        140

Subdivision F—Other matters                                                                            142

44LL...................... Ineligibility decisions subject to alteration, cancellation etc. 142

Division 2A—Effective access regimes                                                           143

Subdivision A—Recommendation by Council                                                143

44M....................... Recommendation for a Ministerial decision on effectiveness of access regime        143

44MA.................... Council may request information.................................... 144

Subdivision B—Decision by Commonwealth Minister                                 144

44N....................... Ministerial decision on effectiveness of access regime... 144

Subdivision C—Extensions of Commonwealth Minister’s decision          146

44NA.................... Recommendation by Council.......................................... 146

44NAA................. Council may request information.................................... 147

44NB..................... Decision by the Commonwealth Minister....................... 147

Subdivision CA—Revocation of Commonwealth Minister’s decision      148

44NBA.................. Recommendation by Council.......................................... 148

44NBB.................. Council may request information.................................... 150

44NBC.................. Decision by the Commonwealth Minister....................... 151

Subdivision D—Procedural provisions                                                            151

44NC..................... Time limit for Council recommendations........................ 151

44NE..................... Council may invite public submissions........................... 154

44NF..................... Publication—Council...................................................... 156

44NG.................... Publication—Commonwealth Minister........................... 157

Subdivision E—Review of decisions                                                                  158

44O....................... Review of Ministerial decision on effectiveness of access regime           158

Subdivision F—State or Territory ceasing to be a party to Competition Principles Agreement               159

44P........................ State or Territory ceasing to be a party to Competition Principles Agreement          159

Division 2B—Competitive tender processes for government owned facilities   161

44PA..................... Approval of competitive tender process.......................... 161

44PAA.................. Commission may request information............................ 162

44PB..................... Report on conduct of tender process............................... 163

44PC..................... Revocation of approval decision..................................... 163

44PD..................... Time limit for Commission decisions............................. 165

44PE...................... Commission may invite public submissions................... 167

44PF...................... Commission must publish its decisions.......................... 168

44PG..................... Review of Commission’s initial decision........................ 169

44PH..................... Review of decision to revoke an approval...................... 171

Division 2C—Register of decisions and declarations                              173

44Q....................... Register of decisions, declarations and ineligibility decisions  173

Division 3—Access to declared services                                                         174

Subdivision A—Scope of Division                                                                      174

44R........................ Constitutional limits on operation of this Division.......... 174

Subdivision B—Notification of access disputes                                              174

44S........................ Notification of access disputes........................................ 174

44T........................ Withdrawal of notifications............................................. 175

Subdivision C—Arbitration of access disputes                                               175

44U....................... Parties to the arbitration.................................................. 175

44V....................... Determination by Commission....................................... 175

44W....................... Restrictions on access determinations............................. 177

44X....................... Matters that the Commission must take into account...... 179

44XA.................... Time limit for Commission’s final determination............ 180

44Y....................... Commission may terminate arbitration in certain cases... 181

44YA.................... Commission must terminate arbitration if declaration varied or set aside by Tribunal              182

Subdivision D—Procedure in arbitrations                                                      182

44Z........................ Constitution of Commission for conduct of arbitration... 182

44ZA..................... Member of the Commission presiding at an arbitration.. 182

44ZB..................... Reconstitution of Commission........................................ 183

44ZC..................... Determination of questions............................................. 183

44ZD..................... Hearing to be in private................................................... 183

44ZE...................... Right to representation.................................................... 184

44ZF...................... Procedure of Commission.............................................. 184

44ZG..................... Particular powers of Commission................................... 185

44ZH..................... Power to take evidence on oath or affirmation................ 186

44ZI....................... Failing to attend as a witness.......................................... 186

44ZJ...................... Failing to answer questions etc....................................... 186

44ZK..................... Intimidation etc............................................................... 187

44ZL...................... Party may request Commission to treat material as confidential               187

44ZM.................... Sections 18 and 19 do not apply to the Commission in an arbitration      188

44ZN..................... Parties to pay costs of an arbitration............................... 188

44ZNA.................. Joint arbitration hearings................................................. 188

Subdivision DA—Arbitration reports                                                               190

44ZNB.................. Arbitration reports.......................................................... 190

Subdivision E—Effect of determinations                                                        192

44ZO..................... Operation of final determinations.................................... 192

44ZOA.................. Effect and duration of interim determinations................. 193

Subdivision F—Review of final determinations                                             194

44ZP...................... Review by Tribunal........................................................ 194

44ZQ..................... Provisions that do not apply in relation to a Tribunal review 195

44ZR..................... Appeals to Federal Court from determinations of the Tribunal                195

44ZS...................... Operation and implementation of a determination that is subject to appeal               196

44ZT...................... Transmission of documents............................................ 197

Subdivision G—Variation and revocation of determinations                    197

44ZU..................... Variation of final determinations..................................... 197

44ZUA.................. Variation and revocation of interim determinations......... 197

Division 4—Registered contracts for access to declared services   198

44ZV..................... Constitutional limits on operation of this Division.......... 198

44ZW.................... Registration of contract................................................... 198

44ZX..................... Review of decision not to register contract..................... 199

44ZY..................... Effect of registration of contract...................................... 200

Division 5—Hindering access to declared services                                  201

44ZZ...................... Prohibition on hindering access to declared services...... 201

Division 6—Access undertakings and access codes for services       202

Subdivision A—Giving of access undertakings and access codes              202

44ZZA................... Access undertakings by providers.................................. 202

44ZZAAA............. Proposed amendments to access undertakings................ 204

44ZZAAB............. Access undertakings containing fixed principles............ 206

44ZZAA................ Access codes prepared by industry bodies..................... 208

44ZZAB................ Commission may rely on industry body consultations... 210

Subdivision B—Effect of access undertakings and access codes               211

44ZZBA................ When access undertakings and access codes come into operation            211

Subdivision C—Extensions of access undertakings and access codes       212

44ZZBB................ Extensions of access undertakings and access codes...... 212

Subdivision D—Procedural provisions                                                            214

44ZZBC................ Time limit for Commission decisions............................. 214

44ZZBCA............. Commission may request information............................ 216

44ZZBD................ Commission may invite public submissions................... 216

44ZZBE................. Commission must publish its decisions.......................... 218

Subdivision E—Review of decisions                                                                  219

44ZZBF................. Review of decisions........................................................ 219

Subdivision F—Register of access undertakings and access codes            221

44ZZC................... Register of access undertakings and access codes.......... 221

Division 6A—Pricing principles for access disputes and access undertakings or codes               222

44ZZCA................ Pricing principles for access disputes and access undertakings or codes 222

Division 6B—Overlap among determinations, registered contracts, access undertakings and Tribunal review                                                                                                     223

44ZZCB................ Deferring access disputes or access undertakings........... 223

44ZZCBA............. Deferral of arbitration if review is underway.................. 225

44ZZCC................ Overlap between determinations and access undertakings 226

44ZZCD................ Overlap between registered contracts and access undertakings                226

Division 7—Enforcement and remedies                                                          228

44ZZD................... Enforcement of determinations....................................... 228

44ZZE................... Enforcement of prohibition on hindering access............. 229

44ZZF................... Consent injunctions........................................................ 230

44ZZG................... Interim injunctions.......................................................... 230

44ZZH................... Factors relevant to granting a restraining injunction........ 230

44ZZI.................... Factors relevant to granting a mandatory injunction........ 230

44ZZJ.................... Enforcement of access undertakings............................... 231

44ZZK................... Discharge or variation of injunction or other order......... 231

Division 8—Miscellaneous                                                                                     232

44ZZL................... Register of determinations.............................................. 232

44ZZM.................. Commonwealth consent to conferral of functions etc. on the Commission or Tribunal by State or Territory laws................................................................................ 232

44ZZMAA............ No merits review by Tribunal of decisions under energy laws                233

44ZZMA............... How duty is imposed...................................................... 233

44ZZMB............... When a law of a State or Territory imposes a duty......... 234

44ZZN................... Compensation for acquisition of property....................... 235

44ZZNA................ Operation of Parts IV and VII not affected by this Part.. 235

44ZZO................... Conduct by directors, servants or agents........................ 235

44ZZOAAA.......... Information to be given to Tribunal................................ 237

44ZZOAA............. Tribunal only to consider particular material................... 239

44ZZOA................ Time limit for Tribunal decisions.................................... 240

44ZZP................... Regulations about review by the Tribunal....................... 243

44ZZQ................... Regulations about fees for inspection etc. of registers.... 243

44ZZR................... Procedure of the Tribunal when performing functions under a State/Territory energy law or a designated Commonwealth energy law.....