What the ÌÇÐÄÔ­´´ does

  • We educate consumers and businesses about their rights and responsibilities under consumer law.
  • We accept reports where people consider a business is doing something it shouldn’t. You can report misleading pricing behaviour to the ÌÇÐÄÔ­´´.
  • We use reports we receive to inform our education, compliance and enforcement work.
  • We can investigate and take action against businesses involved in anti-competitive behaviour, like price fixing, or where businesses mislead consumers about pricing.

What the ÌÇÐÄÔ­´´ can't do

Rights and responsibilities around pricing

Card surcharges

Businesses can currently charge a surcharge for paying by card, but the surcharge must not be more than what it costs the business to process that payment type.

Price displays

There are laws about how businesses display prices. They cover how prices are displayed, and what must be included in the displayed prices.

Setting prices

Businesses can mostly set their prices as they see fit. But businesses’ behaviour around setting prices may be illegal if it harms competition, is excessive, or if the reasons given for prices are misleading.

Grocery pricing

Unit pricing

Shops that sell groceries often show a unit price alongside the total selling price of a product. This helps consumers compare prices and find the best value for money.

Unit Pricing Code

Businesses need to comply with the Unit Pricing Code if they sell certain food-based grocery items. Grocery retailers must display unit prices so that consumers can make informed choices.

ÌÇÐÄÔ­´´ action on pricing

See media releases on pricing