Consumer and money problems
Community Legal Centres
Your local generalist Community Legal Centre can help you with information about consumer rights and how to ensure that you are not ripped off by traders, service providers and tradespeople. See the Find a Local CLC section of our website.
The Consumer Action Law Centre is a specialist CLC that helps consumers with car contracts, utility disputes, insurance, unfair contracts and credit and debt related problems, including loan contracts, credit cards, debtor harassment, credit reporting, mortgages and bankruptcy. Services not dependent on where you live.
Other community organisations
Australian Consumers’ Association (CHOICE)
ACA is a non-profit, independent organisation that provides advice to consumers about faulty products and services, and profiles everything from washing machines to financial advisors. It also publishes CHOICE magazine, which is available online.
Financial & Consumer Rights Council
The Financial & Consumer Rights Council is the peak body for Victorian Financial Counselling and Consumer Support services. Its site has publications, resources, media articles and information on consumer issues.
Government organisations
Australian Competition & Consumer Commission(ACCC)
The ACCC administers the Trade Practices Act 1974 and the Prices Surveillance Act 1983 and deals with anti-competitive and unfair market practices, mergers or acquisitions of companies, product safety/liability.
Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)
ASIC administers the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 to ensure that companies and financial services respect the rights of consumers, creditors and investors. They publish a range of information sheets and consumer alerts.
Consumer Affairs Victoria
Consumer Affairs Victoria looks after policy and programs dealing with credit and debt, cars, shopping and services, product safety and e-commerce.
Insolvency & Trustee Service Australia
The Insolvency and Trustee Service Australia maintains a bankruptcy registry, which contains public records on insolvency. This government agency also investigates offences under the Bankruptcy Act and provides information on alternatives to bankruptcy.
Government organisations - Tribunals
Superannuation Complaints Tribunal (SCT)
The SCT is an independent Tribunal set up to deal with complaints about superannuation funds; annuities and deferred annuities; and Retirement Savings Accounts.
Publications
Fact sheets – Consumer Action Law Centre
The Consumer Action Law Centre publishes a wide range of fact sheets. Download these fact sheets from the Publication section of the Consumer Action Law Centre website
Fact sheets – Consumer Affairs Victoria
Consumer Affairs Victoria publishes a wide range of fact sheets. Download these fact sheets from the Publication section of the Consumer Affairs Victoria website.
Falling on Hard Times, 2006 (12th edition)
Published by Victoria Legal Aid, this is a guide for people in debt. Download Falling on Hard Times from the Victoria Legal Aid website. You can also call Victoria Legal Aid on 9269 0120 or 1800 677 402 (country callers) to order publications.
Weighing It Up, 2006 (4th edition)
Published by Victoria Legal Aid, this is a guide for people considering bankruptcy. Download Weighing it up for free from the Victoria Legal Aid website. You can also call Victoria Legal Aid on 9269 0234 or 1800 677 402 (country callers) to order publications.
Websites
Consumers Online
This Commonwealth government site has information on scams and frauds, shopping, services, consumer law, business, trade practices and product safety, as well as information for senior consumers, young people and consumers with a disability.
Fairtel
Getting a fair deal with mobile, internet and telephone services.
PLEASE NOTE: Information on this website does not substitute for legal advice.
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