Fair Trading Minister Anthony Roberts is calling on all retailers across NSW to do their homework on the new Australian Consumer Law (ACL), following checks by Fair Trading on some of the major retailers in the state.

Mr Roberts today announced recent inspections by Fair Trading of 159 outlets of 11 of the top retailers in 50 locations across the state showed an overall 78 per cent basic level awareness of ACL by store managers, with 69 per cent for outlets in metropolitan Sydney and 84 per cent for those in regional locations.

Checks included retailers in 29 Sydney locations and 21 regional locations including Armidale, Tweed Heads, Lismore, Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Orange, Dubbo and Wagga Wagga.

Mr Roberts said Big W had scored 100 percent at all 17 stores inspected and deserved congratulations.

Others, he said, needed to improve awareness, particularly with regard for the laws on refunds, lay-bys and defective goods.

Mr Roberts said businesses MUST comply with the new law and Fair Trading would continue to work with all retailers to help them improve their understanding of the ACL.

“Fair Trading is going to monitor, educate and enforce to make sure consumers get a fair deal,” he said.

“The average consumer is vulnerable in the face of limited knowledge and even though Fair Trading works hard to increase consumer understanding, the onus really is and should be on retailers to do the right thing.

“Managers and store owners must make sure all their workers, especially those on the shop floor, are provided with necessary education and training, so they know their responsibilities under the ACL.

“If Fair Trading maximizes the message to business, then there is less risk of unfair outcomes for consumers.”

Mr Roberts said prior to the 1 January commencement of the Australian Consumer Law this year, NSW Fair Trading had inspected 630 small, medium and major retailers in western Sydney to gauge awareness and understanding of the new law.

“Those inspections showed only around 14 percent of small and medium retailers had a general awareness of the then, impending new law,” he said. “Major retailers scored 20 percent.

“The latest checks show great improvement but clearly there is more work to be done.

“I want to be confident retailers are not offering lay-bys without a written agreement, that they’re not putting up illegal ‘no refund’ signs and that they clearly understand and apply the new law as it pertains to defective goods.”

Mr Roberts said NSW was also working with all ACL regulators on a national project to educate business.

Fair Trading has taken a strong role in educating consumers and traders about the new national law, publishing an electronic newsletter for 1,200 industry associations, distributing 50,000 plain English guides and promoting online seminars.

The Fair Trading website has a free downloadable refunds sign that retailers large and small can print off, display and apply in their shops.

Fair Trading is also working on a smart-phone application that puts clear and succinct Australian Consumer Law information at the fingertips of consumers.

Mr Roberts said retailers and consumers could come to Fair Trading for comprehensive advice about rights and responsibilities under the Australian Consumer Law.

People can visit the Fair Trading website or call 13 32 20.

Back to Media releases