Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026

# Treasury Laws Amendment (Doubling Penalties for ACCC Enforcement) Bill 2026 ## What it does The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) now has stronger enforcement powers. The maximum penalties companies can face for breaking competition and consumer laws have been doubled — from $50 million to $100 million in most cases, and from $71 million to $121 million in others. This applies to violations like misleading conduct, unconscionable behavior, and breaches of competition rules. ## Why it matters Bigger penalties mean companies have stronger incentives to follow the rules around fair competition and honest dealings with consumers. If you've noticed dodgy pricing, fake discounts, or anti-competitive behavior, this gives the ACCC more teeth to actually punish offenders in ways that genuinely hurt their bottom line. ## Key details - **When it starts:** The day after it receives Royal Assent (already passed parliament) - **Who it affects:** Businesses engaged in misleading conduct, unfair practices, or anti-competitive behavior — basically any company the ACCC investigates for breaking consumer and competition law - **The specifics:** Maximum civil penalties double to $100 million across multiple sections of the Competition and Consumer Act, with some criminal penalties going from $50 million to $100 million

🔒 Voting closed — this bill has been decided by parliament