8:06am - Monday, 7th April 2025
The Australian Consumer Law (ACL) is a single, national consumer law.
The ACL includes:
There are many publications about the ACL for both business and consumers at:
They have a separate brochure on Professions and Competition.
Consumer rights and responsibilities also includes topics on refunds and warranties, buying and selling a home, property agents, motor vehicles and dealers, scams and fraud and product safety.
Guidelines for developing a voluntary industry code of conduct assist industry members to improve business practices and compliance with their legal obligations.
Legal Aid has a section on Does someone owe you money?. THis explains how to issue a minor debt claim for smaller debts.
For information on dealing with businesses in liquidation see Dealing with businesses in liquidation.
Queensland Office of Fair Trading has a lot of information about consumer rights.
If you are in financial difficulty, then it is often helpful to see a financial counsellor. They can help you devise an action strategy to get your finances back on track and advise you on your options if you simply cannot afford to pay all your debts.
You can find a free counselling service near you using the Community Services Directory.
Commonwealth Financial Counselling (CFC) Directory lists services funded by them.
For information on bankruptcy go to Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA). They also have information on some other choices other than bankruptcy for people who cannot pay their debts.
Disputes about many consumer claims and disputes, including issues involving residences and leases, are dealt with in the QCAT. Disputes about money usually have to be for less than $25,000. Other disputes involving less than $50,000 are dealt with in the Magistrates Courts.
For more information on the Tribunal, Suing or being sued and Small Claims go to the Foolkit State Courts page.
Please give us feedback about your experiences using Foolkit and ideas for improvements.
A number of industries have established independent offices to assist the public to resolve disputes with their members. Examples include banking, insurance and telecommunications.
Their sites often have useful information and links. They explain how they can help to resolve a dispute and what you need to do. Usually there are limits on the size of the dispute that they can resolve.
Federal Government Business Web site is the entry point to the Australian government's resources for business and is very practical.
Business Advice - DEEDI Qld is available from the Business Development section of DEEDI. It has information on the business life cycle, business regulation, doing business with the Government, Employment, Programs and Grants and Environmental issues and much more.
How-to-guides from the excellent business.gov.au site.
Business Plans & Checklists is an online library which brings together a wide range of business tools. It includes templates, calculators, tips and how to guides.
Other sites to obtain general information on running a business are:
Business Enterprise Centres (BECs) are independent, community-based organisations, which provide advice and assistance to existing and potential small business owners and operators. They have offices located in city and country areas throughout Australia.
Department of Environment and Heritage Protection
They have information on licensing, good environment practices and legislative requirements.
Choosing a name that won't get you into trouble with anyone can be difficult. It is not enough just that you registered a business name or domain name. Even a Registered Trademark can be challenged later on.
For discussions about this see Business names, company names and domain namesand What is a business name?. Places you check should include these:
Registering a business name lets you register a Business Name online. Alarm bells should ring if you are choosing a name because it is sort of like somebody else's name.
WARNING: Information from interstate web sites should not be relied upon without legal advice. The law and courts often vary a lot between States.
The new Personal Property Securities (PPS) law is expected to commence shortly. A new national register of personal property securities is part of the reform. The register will help you manage credit risk, check for debt owing on goods planned for purchase, and search and register security interests in personal property.
Personal Property Securities Register has information for anyone involved in finance secured by personal property, leases of personal property and supply of goods on a retention of title basis. The law affects buyers as well. Under Information Resources they have videos.
Stay Smart Online The Australian Government's cybersecurity website provides information for Australian internet users on the simple steps they can take to protect their personal and financial information online.
For information about transactions online refer to the topic on Australian Consumer Law on this page.
Should you set up your business as a sole trader, partnership, trust, company or something else.
Each is quite different from a tax, risk and management point of view.
With the tax, you need to consider not only income tax on your profits, but also Capital Gains for when you finally dispose of your business. Some structures expose you to more tax, and others give you the opportunity to spread your income amongst the family.
Risk needs to be considered in the context of what other assets the family owns and whose name they are in and any risks that are involved there. it is not just about the risks in your business and that you may put the family home at risk.
It is important to make the right decision as early as possible. It can be very difficult and expensive to change later on.
You should seek the advice of your solicitor and accountant before deciding on a structure.
There is general information on legal topics that may be of interest to a business at:
WARNING: Information from interstate web sites should not be relied upon without legal advice. The law and courts often vary a lot between States.
Are you looking for detailed information like this, or contact details for any of the bodies mentioned on this page. If so, then start on our Business Law for Lawyers page.
If it isn't there, then start on our Finding Detailed Legal Information page.
Please read our warning on that page "Be careful using these resources".
The Law is not always as straightforward as it appears. We have not included any information about when and how to use that information or any traps. We assume that the Lawyers will know this.
Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) has a lot of information for consumers on topics including:
Queensland Office of Fair Trading also has a good collection of Guides for Consumers.
ACCC For Business has a small business Helpline 1300 302 021 and information on a range of topics including:
Queensland Office of Fair Trading also has a good collection of Guides for Business.
