ACCC — Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
The ACCC enforces the Australian Consumer Law and competition rules. It addresses unfair or misleading business practices, including some conduct in debt collection.
In this profile
- What the ACCC is and the laws it enforces
- How the ACCC approaches debt collection conduct
- When a consumer might raise an issue with the ACCC
- Why fair-trading rules matter for debt and credit
- Where to find the ACCC's current contact details
8 min read
Who they are
The ACCC, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, is the national regulator responsible for competition and consumer protection. It enforces the Australian Consumer Law, which applies across the economy and sets out broad rules against misleading, deceptive and unconscionable conduct.
Together with ASIC (for financial services) the ACCC helps protect people from unfair business practices. Current details are available at accc.gov.au.
What they do
The ACCC promotes fair trading and competitive markets. In the debt context, it has long published guidance, jointly with ASIC, on what is acceptable when businesses collect debts — for example expectations around frequency of contact, accuracy of claims and avoiding harassment or coercion.
- Enforcing the Australian Consumer Law against misleading conduct
- Guidance on acceptable debt collection practices
- Action against unconscionable or coercive conduct
- Consumer education and market studies
When to contact them
You might engage with the ACCC if you believe a business has used misleading, harassing or coercive tactics, including in collecting a debt that is not a regulated credit product. The ACCC focuses on systemic issues and conduct affecting many consumers rather than resolving individual disputes.
For a specific personal dispute, your state or territory fair-trading body is often the better first contact.
Relevance to debt & credit
While ASIC regulates licensed credit, the ACCC's consumer-law remit can be relevant where debt collection involves misleading statements or unfair practices outside the credit licensing regime. The joint debt collection guidance it has issued is a widely cited reference point for fair conduct. Browse related explainers in the Merion directory.
How to reach them
The ACCC operates a consumer information service and online reporting tools. Always confirm the current options at accc.gov.au, and check the official website for current details before making contact.
Key takeaways
- The ACCC enforces the Australian Consumer Law and competition rules nationally.
- It has issued guidance on acceptable debt collection conduct.
- It targets systemic and misleading conduct rather than individual disputes.
- Confirm current contact details at accc.gov.au.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the ACCC and ASIC?
The ACCC enforces general consumer and competition law, while ASIC regulates financial services and consumer credit. They sometimes work together, including on debt collection guidance. This is general information only.
Can the ACCC stop a debt collector harassing me?
The ACCC addresses misleading, harassing or coercive conduct under consumer law and has published guidance on collection. For an individual case, a state fair-trading body is often the first point of contact.
Where can I read the debt collection guidance?
Guidance on debt collection practices has been issued jointly by the ACCC and ASIC and is available on their websites. Confirm the current version at accc.gov.au.
This is general information, not legal or financial advice. Details can change — always confirm current contact details and processes on the organisation's official website.
Know who to turn to
A free, plain-English directory of the regulators, courts, schemes and services behind debt and credit in Australia.