During a recent event in Sydney, ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb emphasized the importance of a competitive economy for consumers while detailing the agency's priorities for the upcoming financial year. The ACCC aims to enhance consumer protection, promote competitive markets, and ensure clear pricing information for essential services.

One of the key areas of focus will be addressing competition and consumer concerns in the supermarket and retail sectors. The ACCC plans to investigate misleading pricing practices, particularly surcharging, and will target firms with significant market power that may negatively impact small businesses and consumer prices.

Market concentration is a growing issue not only in retail but also in sectors like aviation and digital platforms. The ACCC will prioritize promoting competition in essential services, including telecommunications, electricity, and gas, to mitigate the effects of anti-competitive conduct on consumers and small businesses.

In addition to addressing cost of living challenges, the ACCC will tackle misleading surcharging practices and ensure compliance with regulations regarding excessive card payment surcharges. The agency aims to improve pricing practices and transparency for consumers.

The ACCC also highlighted the importance of competition and merger reform in fostering economic growth and lowering prices. With new merger legislation set to take effect in 2026, the ACCC will focus on implementing this reform and ensuring compliance during the transition period.

Other ongoing priorities include product safety, fair trading in the digital economy, and addressing environmental claims and greenwashing. The ACCC remains committed to using its full range of powers under Australia’s Competition and Consumer Act to enhance competition and protect consumer welfare.