Australian Consumer Law

Published: 12 November 2025 Australia’s most recognisable children’s entertainment group, The Wiggles, has admitted that it likely breached the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) after selling its popular Emma Bow headband without the required safety warnings for button batteries. Between June 2022 and March 2024, The Wiggles sold the light-up headband—powered by button batteries—without the mandatory safety information designed to alert parents to the severe risks these small

Australia’s consumer watchdog, the ACCC , has issued an urgent warning to parents and educators following the recall of several children’s sand products that may contain asbestos . The products were sold at major retailers including Officeworks , Educating Kids , Modern Teaching Aids , and Zart Art . Parents urged to safely bag and store recalled sand products containing asbestos - avoid general waste disposal. The recall was issued by supplier Educational Colours , coveri

An international online car rental booking platform has paid a financial penalty after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) raised concerns about how prices were presented to Australian consumers. SIA Booking Group Corporation, operating under the name EconomyBookings , paid $39,600 in penalties after the ACCC issued two infringement notices alleging breaches of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) relating to pricing representations on its website.

Based on an ACCC Media Release. Bane Legal Services is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Bupa misled thousands of members about their health insurance entitlements, according to ACCC findings. The Federal Court has ordered Bupa HI Pty Ltd (Bupa) to pay $35 million in penalties after finding the insurer engaged in unconscionable conduct and made false or misleading representations to its members, hospitals and medical providers. This blog is based on the A

Australia’s consumer watchdog has taken Federal Court action against meal delivery giants HelloFresh and Youfoodz , alleging widespread use of misleading subscription practices that left tens of thousands of consumers charged despite attempting to cancel on time. Subscription cancellation barriers under scrutiny as the ACCC targets digital business practices that may breach Australian Consumer Law. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) commenced separa

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued a clear warning to major retailers ahead of the Boxing Day sales period, reminding them that promotional activity must comply with the Australian Consumer Law (ACL). The warning follows an ACCC sweep of Black Friday sales advertising, which revealed that potentially misleading and deceptive practices remain widespread across the retail sector, despite repeated regulatory warnings and prior enforcement acti

A recent ACCC investigation has revealed that the vast majority of furniture suppliers across Australia are failing to comply with the new mandatory safety information standard for toppling furniture. The sweep, conducted in partnership with state and territory consumer protection agencies , inspected more than 3,000 furniture products across 160 businesses . The findings were alarming — 90 per cent of businesses were non-compliant in some way, and over half were entir

Published: November 2025 Source: Adapted from the ACCC media release, “ACCC puts retailers on notice ahead of Black Friday sweep” (10 November 2025). Misleading “limited time” and “up to X% off” claims are in the ACCC’s sights this Black Friday — businesses must ensure truthful, transparent advertising. As Australians gear up for another massive Black Friday sales period, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has announced a major compliance sweep — this t

From 1 July 2026 , new country-of-origin seafood labelling laws will come into effect across Australia — and they’re set to make a big splash in the hospitality industry . Fresh seafood display with Australian and imported origin labels under new national labelling laws. Under these rules, restaurants, cafés, and other food service venues selling seafood for immediate consumption must clearly display whether their seafood is: Australian , imported , or a mix of Austral

Australian retailers are again in the spotlight after the Federal Court ordered The Good Guys Discount Warehouses (Australia) Pty Ltd to pay $13.5 million in penalties for misleading conduct relating to store credit and “StoreCash” promotions. The Good Guys fined $13.5m after misleading store credit promotions — highlighting ACCC enforcement and the importance of compliance in retail marketing. This enforcement action, brought by the Australian Competition and Consumer Comm

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has launched proceedings in the Federal Court against US-based company JustAnswer LLC, alleging it misled consumers through pricing practices and claims of government affiliation. (Source: ACCC media release, 23 September 2025) ACCC takes action against JustAnswer over alleged misleading pricing, subscription traps and false government affiliation claims — a warning for digital businesses. What the ACCC Alleges A

Australia’s second-largest telco, Optus , has been hit with a record $100 million penalty after the Federal Court found it engaged in unconscionable conduct when selling mobile phones and contracts to vulnerable Australians. Optus hit with $100m court penalty for unconscionable conduct in phone sales — a key lesson for businesses on compliance with consumer law. This case, brought by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) , sends a strong reminder to al

Published: 28 August 2025 The former owner of fashion brands Noni B, Rivers, Katies, Rockmans, Millers, Autograph, Beme, Crossroads and...

Published: 19 August 2025 Source: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) The Australian Competition and Consumer...

Published: 1 August 2025 By Bane Legal Services — Australia’s Trusted Legal Matchmaker for Business Owners Source: ACCC Media Release ...

Date: 28 July 2025 Source: ACCC Media Release Bane Legal Services is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. We connect...

Published: 6 May 2024 | Source: ACCC Media Release Written for Bane Legal Services – Australia’s trusted legal matchmaker When...

Published: 3 July 2025 | Source: ACCC Public Warning Notice If your business sells products online — or you’re a bricks-and-mortar...

A recent penalty issued to Dendy Cinema Pty Ltd by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) serves as a timely reminder to all Australian businesses selling online: price transparency matters.

Published: 3 June 2025 Based on an ACCC media release Original Source Online electronics marketplace Reebelo Australia has paid...