
Competition and Consumer Act 2010
No. 51, 1974
Compilation No. 143
Compilation date: 1 January 2023
Includes amendments up to: Act No. 96, 2022
Registered: 2 March 2023
This compilation is in 4 volumes
Volume 1: sections 1–53ZZC
Volume 2: sections 55–110
Volume 3: sections 10.01–187
Volume 4: Schedules
Endnotes
Each volume has its own contents
This compilation includes commenced amendments made by Act No. 140, 2021.
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 1 January 2023 (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If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.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
Schedule 1—The Schedule version of Part IV 1
Part 1—Schedule version of Part IV 1
Division 1—Cartel conduct 1
Subdivision A—Introduction 1
45AA.... Simplified outline................................................................................ 1
45AB.... Definitions.......................................................................................... 1
45AC.... Extended meaning of party................................................................. 2
45AD.... Cartel provisions................................................................................. 3
45AE..... Meaning of expressions in other provisions of this Act...................... 9
Subdivision B—Offences etc. 9
45AF..... Making a contract etc. containing a cartel provision............................ 9
45AG.... Giving effect to a cartel provision..................................................... 10
45AH.... Determining guilt.............................................................................. 11
45AI...... Court may make related civil orders.................................................. 12
45AIA... Section 4AB of the Crimes Act does not apply................................. 12
Subdivision C—Civil penalty provisions 12
45AJ..... Making a contract etc. containing a cartel provision.......................... 12
45AK.... Giving effect to a cartel provision..................................................... 12
Subdivision D—Exceptions 13
45AL..... Conduct notified................................................................................ 13
45AM... Cartel provision subject to grant of authorisation.............................. 13
45AN.... Contracts, arrangements or understandings between related bodies corporate 14
45AO.... Joint ventures—prosecution.............................................................. 14
45AP..... Joint ventures—civil penalty proceedings......................................... 15
45AQ.... Resale price maintenance................................................................... 16
45AR.... Exclusive dealing.............................................................................. 16
45AS..... Dual listed company arrangement..................................................... 17
45AT..... Acquisition of shares or assets.......................................................... 18
45AU.... Collective acquisition of goods or services by the parties to a contract, arrangement or understanding 18
Division 2—Other provisions 19
45.......... Contracts, arrangements or understandings that restrict dealings or affect competition 19
45D....... Secondary boycotts for the purpose of causing substantial loss or damage 23
45DA.... Secondary boycotts for the purpose of causing substantial lessening of competition 23
45DC.... Involvement and liability of employee organisations......................... 24
45DD.... Situations in which boycotts permitted.............................................. 26
45E........ Prohibition of contracts, arrangements or understandings affecting the supply or acquisition of goods or services 29
45EA..... Provisions contravening section 45E not to be given effect.............. 33
45EB..... Sections 45D to 45EA do not affect operation of other provisions of Part 33
46.......... Misuse of market power................................................................... 33
47.......... Exclusive dealing.............................................................................. 35
48.......... Resale price maintenance................................................................... 42
49.......... Dual listed company arrangements that affect competition................ 42
50.......... Prohibition of acquisitions that would result in a substantial lessening of competition 44
51.......... Exceptions......................................................................................... 45
Schedule 2—The Australian Consumer Law 50
Chapter 1—Introduction 65
1............ Application of this Schedule............................................................. 65
2............ Definitions........................................................................................ 65
3............ Meaning of consumer....................................................................... 81
4............ Misleading representations with respect to future matters................. 85
5............ When donations are treated as supplies or acquisitions..................... 86
6............ Related bodies corporate................................................................... 86
7............ Meaning of manufacturer................................................................. 86
8............ Goods affixed to land or premises.................................................... 88
9............ Meaning of safety defect in relation to goods.................................... 88
10.......... Asserting a right to payment............................................................. 89
11.......... References to acquisition, supply and re‑supply............................... 89
12.......... Application of Schedule in relation to leases and licences of land and buildings 90
13.......... Loss or damage to include injury...................................................... 91
14.......... Meaning of continuing credit contract.............................................. 91
15.......... Contraventions of this Schedule........................................................ 92
16.......... Severability....................................................................................... 92
17.......... References to provisions in this Schedule......................................... 93
Chapter 2—General protections 94
Part 2‑1—Misleading or deceptive conduct 94
18.......... Misleading or deceptive conduct....................................................... 94
19.......... Application of this Part to information providers.............................. 94
Part 2‑2—Unconscionable conduct 97
20.......... Unconscionable conduct within the meaning of the unwritten law.... 97
21.......... Unconscionable conduct in connection with goods or services......... 97
22.......... Matters the court may have regard to for the purposes of section 21 98
22A....... Presumptions relating to whether representations are misleading.... 101
Part 2‑3—Unfair contract terms 102
23.......... Unfair terms of consumer contracts and small business contracts... 102
24.......... Meaning of unfair........................................................................... 103
25.......... Examples of unfair terms................................................................ 103
26.......... Terms that define main subject matter of consumer contracts or small business contracts etc. are unaffected 105
27.......... Standard form contracts.................................................................. 105
28.......... Contracts to which this Part does not apply.................................... 106
Chapter 3—Specific protections 107
Part 3‑1—Unfair practices 107
Division 1—False or misleading representations etc. 107
29.......... False or misleading representations about goods or services.......... 107
30.......... False or misleading representations about sale etc. of land.............. 109
31.......... Misleading conduct relating to employment.................................... 109
32.......... Offering rebates, gifts, prizes etc..................................................... 110
33.......... Misleading conduct as to the nature etc. of goods........................... 111
34.......... Misleading conduct as to the nature etc. of services........................ 111
35.......... Bait advertising............................................................................... 111
36.......... Wrongly accepting payment............................................................ 112
37.......... Misleading representations about certain business activities........... 114
38.......... Application of provisions of this Division to information providers 115
Division 2—Unsolicited supplies 117
39.......... Unsolicited cards etc....................................................................... 117
40.......... Assertion of right to payment for unsolicited goods or services..... 118
41.......... Liability etc. of recipient for unsolicited goods................................ 119
42.......... Liability of recipient for unsolicited services................................... 120
43.......... Assertion of right to payment for unauthorised entries or advertisements 120
Division 3—Pyramid schemes 123
44.......... Participation in pyramid schemes.................................................... 123
45.......... Meaning of pyramid scheme........................................................... 123
46.......... Marketing schemes as pyramid schemes......................................... 124
Division 4—Pricing 126
47.......... Multiple pricing............................................................................... 126
48.......... Single price to be specified in certain circumstances....................... 127
Division 5—Other unfair practices 131
49.......... Referral selling................................................................................ 131
50.......... Harassment and coercion................................................................ 131
Part 3‑2—Consumer transactions 132
Division 1—Consumer guarantees 132
Subdivision A—Guarantees relating to the supply of goods