Statutory authorities and advisory bodies 

The Fair Trading portfolio includes a number of statutory authorities and advisory bodies that have been established to perform a diverse range of functions. They each contribute to fair trading in New South Wales.

Statutory authorities 

Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal (CTTT) 

The Tribunal was established as the specialist dispute resolution forum for consumer, trader and tenancy based matters. From 25 February 2002 the CTTT took over the functions and jurisdictions previously exercised by the Fair Trading and Residential Tribunals. 

Level 12, 175 Castlereagh Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Phone: 1300 135 399
Fax: 1300 135 247
Website: www.cttt.nsw.gov.au

Top of page

Fair Trading Administration Corporation 

The Fair Trading Administration Corporation (FTAC) administers insurance claims against the government-run insurance schemes that were in place in New South Wales to protect consumers from loss where a homebuilder performed faulty or incomplete work or became insolvent. The introduction of the private home warranty insurance scheme in May 1997 led to the subsequent closure of the last such government-run insurance scheme.

NSW Fair Trading administers the Corporation and claims processing within the scope of the respective parts of the Home Building Act. The corporation is not intended to have any other role in respect of residential home building in NSW. It should be noted that no further claims are possible under the Scheme and the administration of the few remaining claims is coming to a close.

NSW Fair Trading
PO Box 972, Parramatta, NSW 2124
Phone: 13 32 20

Top of page

Motor Vehicle Repair Industry Authority (MVRIA) 

The Motor Vehicle Repair Industry Authority is a statutory authority, established by the Motor Vehicle Repairs Act 1980. The Authority’s functions are carried out by NSW Fair Trading. They include the licensing of motor vehicle repair businesses, the certification of tradespeople working in those businesses and the mediation of disputes between motor vehicle owners and repairers.

For more information on licensing and certification go to the Motor vehicle repairers page. The Repairs and maintenance page has information on repairs and disputes.

NSW Fair Trading
PO Box 972, Parramatta, NSW 2124
Phone: 13 32 20

Top of page

Rental Bond Board 

The Rental Bond Board is the independent custodian of rental bonds paid by tenants to landlords for residential tenancies. Landlords must lodge tenants' bond money with the Board. NSW Fair Trading’s Renting Services Branch administers the day to day functions of the Board, providing rental bond lodgement, custody, refund and information services.

Renting Services Branch
Locked Bag 19, Darlinghurst NSW 1300
Phone: 13 32 20

The income earned from investing the bonds is used to fund the operating costs of the Board, rental advisory services, and other programs and projects which benefit the residential tenancy sector. Strict guidelines, however, govern the use of the investment income from bonds and the bond money itself is quarantined, at all times. 

Secretariat functions of the Board are carried out by Ministerial and Executive Services, Department of Finance and Services at:

Level 9, 2-24 Rawson Place
Sydney NSW 2000
PO Box 972, Parramatta, NSW 2124
Fax: 9338 8970

Top of page

Advisory bodies 

Ministerial Advisory Councils 

Five advisory councils have been established to act as a source of advice to the Minister on fair trading matters. These are the:

• Fair Trading Advisory Council
• Motor Vehicle Industry Advisory Council
• Property Services Advisory Council
• Home Building Advisory Council
• Retirement Villages Advisory Council.

Each of the Councils is established under the Fair Trading Act 1987 except the Home Building Advisory Council which is created under the Home Building Act 1989. The Fair Trading Advisory Council provides advice on broad fair trading and consumer protection issues. It also oversights the activities of the other four Councils which provide the Minister with advice on their respective industries. The Councils either respond to requests for advice from the Minister, or they may independently draw other issues to the Minister’s attention. They provide input to the policy process by acting as a conduit to the Minister for feedback from community and industry groups on current and emerging issues in their industries.

The Councils each hold meetings at least four times a year. More information on their functions is set out in section 25 of the Fair Trading Act 1987, and sections 115B – 115D of the Home Building Act 1989. 

Fair Trading Advisory Council Charter (PDF size: 78kb)
Motor Vehicle Industry Advisory Council Charter (PDF size: 79kb)
Property Services Advisory Council Charter (PDF size: 79kb)
Home Building Advisory Council Charter (PDF size: 78kb)
Retirement Villages Advisory Council Charter (PDF size: 79kb)

PO Box 972
Parramatta  NSW  2124
Email: secretariat@services.nsw.gov.au
Fax: 9338 8970

Top of page

Co-operatives Council 

The Council submits recommendations to the Minister regarding proposals to promote the activities and improve the methods of operation of co-operatives including changes to relevant legislation. 

154 Russell Street
Bathurst NSW 2795
DX 3123, Bathurst
Phone: 6333 1400
Fax: 6333 1402
Toll Free: 1800 502 042

Top of page

New South Wales Products Safety Committee 

The Products Safety Committee carries out investigations into the safety of products as referred by the Minister for Fair Trading.

NSW Fair Trading
Level 3, 1 Fitzwilliam St 
Parramatta NSW 2150
PO Box 972
Parramatta NSW 2124
Phone: 9895 2049
Fax: 9895 0405

Top of page

Accessing information 

Fair Trading is a division of the NSW Department of Finance and Services (DFS). To access the Department’s information go to the Accessing DFS information page.

Top of page