Question

What guidance does the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) provide to those who are making a complaint? Discuss in 150–180 words.

Answer 1

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is an independent Commonwealth statutory authority. We are Australia’s competition and consumer regulator. We promote competition and fair trading and regulate national infrastructure to make markets work for everyone.

its for,

accept and record your reports of information about business practices and behaviours that are of concern to you. We will respond to your report where we have information that may help you, or you have asked a question about your rights or obligations under the law.

provide you with information about your rights under the law via the ACCC website, ACCC publications or when you contact our Infocentre. Where relevant, written responses are provided within 15 working days.

provide general guidance about the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 and refer you to the ACCC’s website and our publications for further information

refer you to another agency if your issue doesn’t fall under the responsibilities of the ACCC

provide information about product safety recalls and mandatory standards

provide information about the ACCC and what enforcement action we've taken

investigate alleged breaches of the Act (where it meets our Compliance and enforcement policy priorities) and take enforcement or compliance action, where appropriate.

They are not for,

act on your behalf or provide you with legal advice on your rights and obligations under the law

make formal decisions on whether a person or business had breached the law as only the courts can do this

regulate or set the prices for goods or services such as groceries or fuel

provide dispute resolution services between consumers and businesses.

ordinarily comment on the level of complaints about particular businesses or the status of any ongoing investigation. Where we do, this is as a publicly available statement.