Fair Trading
Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading comprises five branches:
Compliance and Advisory Services;
Measurement and Standards;
Policy and Legislation;
Business Affairs; and
Births Deaths and Marriages.
While all the branches actively promote fair trading practices in their respective marketplaces, two branches in particular are involved in progressing general fair trading issues, and the topics listed in this 'fair trading' section.
The key functions of these branches are detailed below.
Compliance and Advisory
- Provide authoritative advice to consumers and business on consumer issues and legislation administered by the Office.
- Provide guidance to consumers and business to enable them to negotiate a solution to their complaints without direct intervention by the Office.
- Provide a limited conciliation service for disadvantaged consumers, (those who are not adequately skilled to present their own case to a trader).
- Maintain a presence in the community to encourage compliance with laws administered by the Office.
- Prosecute breaches of legislation administered by the Office.
- Provide secretariat support for the Travel Agents Licensing Board.
Policy and Legislation
- Respond to the Attorney-General on consumer policy advice.
- Advise the Attorney-General on arising consumer issues.
- Provide policy advice to government on matters affecting the interests of consumers.
- Provide effective legislative options for Government to address market failure that have the lowest possible impact upon business.
- Represent and present Tasmania’s position on general consumer policy issues at local and national forums.
- Represent the general community on Competition Policy reviews of legislation which restricts competition.
- Develop effective public awareness strategies on legislation administered by the Office.
More detailed information on the operation of Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading can be found in About Us.
More detailed information on particular fair trading issues can be found by clicking on the side buttons.
