NEW AUSTRALIAN CONSUMER LAW WILL COMMENCE ON 1 JANUARY 2010

The ACT Legislative Assembly has passed new laws in the ACT that apply the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) as a law of the Territory

The Australian Consumer Law will replace the following ACT Laws:

  • Fair Trading (Consumer Affairs) Act 1973
  • Door-to-Door Trading Act 1991
  • Lay-by Sales Agreements Act 1963 

What is the Australian Consumer Law?

The ACL, which commences on 1 January 2011, is a single national law based on best practice reforms from across the country. The ACL will make carrying on business in the ACT easier for both industry and consumers as the same obligations and rights will apply across jurisdictions. The ACL introduces new national:

  • rights and remedies in relation to unfair terms in standard form consumer contracts;
  • laws ensuring consumer rights when purchasing goods and services, replacing the existing laws on conditions and warranties;
  • product safety law and enforcement regime;
  • laws for unsolicited consumer agreements, which replaces the existing door-to-door sales and other direct marketing legislation; and
  • simple rules for lay-by agreements.

Why is the ACL Being introduced?

The ACL will be of benefit to the Australian community by:

  • giving Australian consumers a standard set of rights and protections wherever they are in Australia;
  • simplifying the law and reducing the risk of non-compliant business practices, and
  • replacing requirements set out in many laws with a single national consumer law.

The new law applies from 1 January 2011

Further information on the Australian Consumer Law is available from the Office of Regulatory Services - www.ors.act.gov.au or 02 6207 3000.

Return to the December list of eNewsletter articles