Australian Consumer Law + consumer protection in Australian Capital Territory

Consumer Credit Hardship Notice (NCC ss 72-73)

Credit providers must respond to hardship notice + assess variation request.

Hold AER authorisation as energy retailer

Selling electricity or gas to small customers requires AER retailer authorisation.

Comply with mandatory product safety standards + bans (ACL)

Schedule 2 ACL — suppliers must comply with mandatory product safety standards + permanent bans.

Button + coin battery safety standard (mandatory)

Suppliers of products containing button + coin batteries must meet 2022 mandatory standard.

Design and Distribution Obligations (DDO) — RG 274

Issuers + distributors of retail financial products bound by DDO from 5 October 2021.

Comply with General Insurance Code of Practice (ICA)

ICA Code binds member insurers on conduct + claims + complaints.

Avoid unfair contract terms in standard form consumer & small business contracts

From November 2023, unfair contract terms carry pecuniary penalties — up to $100M per term (from 28 March 2026).

Notify ACCC of a voluntary recall within 2 days

Suppliers must notify the ACCC within 2 days of initiating a voluntary consumer product recall.

Comply with Telecommunications Consumer Protections (TCP) Code

Telcos must comply with the binding TCP Code covering credit assessment, billing, complaint handling and unwelcome contact.

GEMS (Greenhouse + Energy Minimum Standards)

Regulated products must meet energy efficiency MEPS + display label.

Customer Service Guarantee (CSG)

Standard telephone service providers face CSG financial penalties for missed connection + repair timeframes.

Energy Bill Relief Fund + state cost-of-living payments compliance

Retailers + suppliers administering federal/state energy bill relief must apply correctly + report.

Comply with the ePayments Code

Voluntary but industry-standard code covering electronic transaction terms, mistaken internet payments, and unauthorised transactions.