New legislation has been introduced recently to Parliament and will enable certain consumer and small business groups to make designated complaints to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).  

The designated complaints will be about significant and systematic market issues that relate to the ACCC’s powers of functions under the Competition and Consumer Act and the Australian Consumer Law.

“The proposed new designated complaints function will reinforce the importance of key issues impacting consumers and small business to the ACCC’s work, as well as the role of advocate organisations in detecting and highlighting emerging issues’”, stated ACCC Chair, Gina Cass-Gottlieb

Under the proposed scheme certain consumer and business advocacy groups will be approved by the Minister to make designated complaints to the ACCC. Complaints will need to meet certain criteria, including that they relate to a significant or systematic market issue affecting consumers or small business in Australia, and that they relate to a breach of the Competition and Consumer Act or the ACCC’s powers or functions under the Act.

The scheme is expected to commence from July 2024.

For more information on the legislation and its implications for consumer and small business advocacy, click here.

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