What the ÌÇÐÄÔ­´´ does

  • We help consumers and businesses understand their rights and responsibilities under consumer law.
  • We investigate businesses where they might be breaking the law.
  • We accept reports about debt collectors who may be doing something they shouldn’t. You can report an issue affecting your business to the ÌÇÐÄÔ­´´.
  • We review reports and take action if we identify behaviour that breaks the law.

What the ÌÇÐÄÔ­´´ can't do

  • We don’t provide legal advice about debt disputes.
  • We don’t provide financial advice or financial counselling.
  • We don’t get involved in individual debt disputes.

Rules and advice for chasing and paying debt

Debt collection rules

A debt collector should only contact a debtor for a reasonable purpose and only when necessary. Certain behaviour is illegal.

Debt help

Laws are in place to protect you from being treated unfairly by debt collectors. Businesses that recover costs need to be aware of their legal obligations. 

ÌÇÐÄÔ­´´ action on debt collection

Federal Court orders Optus to pay $100m penalty for unconscionable conduct

Optus Mobile Pty Ltd (Optus) has today been ordered by the Federal Court to pay a penalty of $100 million for engaging in unconscionable conduct when selling mobile phones and contracts to hundreds of Australians, and subsequent debt collection in a case brought by the ÌÇÐÄÔ­´´.

Optus agrees to $100m penalty, subject to court approval, for unconscionable conduct

Optus Mobile has admitted to engaging in unconscionable conduct when selling telecommunications goods and services to hundreds of consumers, after court action brought by the ÌÇÐÄÔ­´´. In many instances the consumers did not want or need, could not use or could not afford what they were sold, and in some cases consumers were pursued for debts.
See media releases on debt collection