The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has announced its compliance and enforcement priorities for the year 2026-27, emphasizing the need to tackle manipulative and false practices in digital markets, as well as anti-competitive conduct in essential services.

ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb highlighted that these priorities are a response to ongoing consumer and business concerns regarding the cost of goods and services, and the need for trust in the digital economy. The agency aims to ensure that competition and consumer trust are maintained as vital components of a resilient economy.

Key areas of focus will include ensuring accurate pricing information in supermarkets and retail sectors, particularly during times of cost-of-living pressures. The ACCC will also address misleading pricing claims in essential services such as energy and telecommunications, where complex pricing structures can confuse consumers.

In the digital marketplace, the ACCC will prioritize combating manipulative online practices that undermine consumer trust, including subscription traps and the sale of unsafe consumer goods. The agency aims to protect consumers from deceptive practices that limit their choices.

Additionally, the ACCC will focus on improving business compliance with consumer guarantee rights, especially concerning motor vehicles, ensuring that businesses meet their obligations to consumers. The agency will also enhance its education and compliance initiatives in light of recent government reforms related to competition and consumer issues.

Overall, the ACCC is committed to rigorous enforcement of competition laws to promote productivity and consumer trust in the Australian economy.