Links
Australian Federal and State authorities responsible for consumer protection issues.
Little Black Book of Scams provides an essential guide to scams, swindles, rorts and rips offs. An Australian Government publication produced with assistance from fair trading and consumer protection agencies across Australia.
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is the Federal authority responsible for ensuring individuals and businesses comply with the Commonwealth competition, fair trading and consumer protection laws.
Australian Securities and Investments Commission is the Federal authority which regulates and enforces company and financial services law.
Fido – Australian Securities and Investments Commission website on scams, financial tips and safety checks for consumers.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is responsible for the regulation of broadcasting, radio communications, telecommunications and online content, including spam.
The Australian High Tech Crime Centre provides a national coordinated approach to combating serious, complex and multi-jurisdictional high tech crimes, including identity fraud. It is hosted by the Australian Federal Police and is supported by Australian State, Territory and Federal police services.
Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman provides free, independent, informal and speedy resolution to complaints about your telephone or internet provider.
New South Wales - Department of Fair Trading
Northern Territory - Department of Justice: Consumer Affairs
Queensland - Office of Fair Trading
South Australia - Office of Consumer and Business Affairs
Tasmania - Department of Justice: Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading
Victoria - Consumer Affairs Victoria
Other Australian sites
Australian Consumers’ Association, publisher of CHOICE magazines, website and books, is a not-for-profit organisation which has been researching and campaigning on behalf of consumers since 1959.
Australian Direct Marketing Association is the self-regulatory body for information based marketing. It operates a “Do Not Contact” register.
Distribution Standards Board is the self-regulatory arm of the Australian Catalogue Association. It maintains a database of all known addresses that carry a restrictive sign on the letterbox, and provides free of charge a reflective No Advertising Material sticker.
Handy overseas sites
Office of Fair Trading (UK) is the UK's consumer and competition authority. Their mission is to make markets work well for consumers.
USA Federal Trade Commission enforces federal consumer protection laws that prevent fraud, deception and unfair business practices.
Econsumer.gov is an international joint effort to combat multinational Internet fraud. Its 13 partners include Federal authorities in Australia, New Zealand, UK and the USA.
New Zealand Ministry of Consumer Affairs
