Consumer law

Consumer law is designed to protect individuals who purchase goods and services from manufacturers, wholesalers or retailers. It regulates the marketplace and seeks to create positive conditions for consumers and prevent sellers from using dishonest tactics.

External sources

• Australian Consumer Law – This law deals with unfair contract terms, consumer rights when buying goods and services, product safety, unsolicited consumer agreements covering door-to-door sales and telephone sales and lay-by agreements.
• The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission – The Commission promotes competition and fair trade in the market place to benefit consumers, businesses and the community. It also regulates national infrastructure services.Its primary responsibility is to ensure that individuals and businesses comply with the Commonwealth competition, fair trading and consumer protection laws.
• Office of Fair Trading – The Queensland Government’s fair trading website provides information about rights and responsibilities under the consumer law for consumers and businesses.
• Resolving consumer and trader disputes in QCAT – Information about resolving consumer and trader disputes in QCAT.
• Legal Aid Queensland – Information about consumer law.

Where to go for help

LawRight is an independent, not-for-profit, community-based legal organisation that operates a civil law referral service for pro bono legal representation and direct legal services for particular disadvantaged client groups. For more information about the help available, and the process for applying for help, please see the LawRight website at www.lawright.org.au

Caxton Legal Centre – Consumer Law Service – Caxton has a specialist Consumer Law Service that focuses on consumer debt. The Consumer Law Service can give advice to people with legal problems arising out of consumer matters and consumer credit contracts.

Your closest community legal centre – Use the centre locator on the Community Legal Centres Queensland website to locate your nearest community legal centre.

The information in this resource is for general information purposes only and should not be relied on as legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact LawRight or another lawyer. LawRight can only give advice to people who are eligible for our services.