Designated complaints

Policy topic: Consumers and community

In short

Designated complainants can make designated complaints to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

Designated complaints relate to both:

  • a significant or systemic market issue affecting Australian consumers or small businesses
  • either a potential breach of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (CCA), or the functions or powers of the ACCC under the CCA.

Visit the Federal Register of Legislation website to view the:

Making a designated complaint

The ACCC enforces the CCA and responds to designated complaints.

Visit the ACCC website to read about how designated complaints are made and how the ACCC responds

Designated complainants

Only approved designated complainants can make a designated complaint.

Designated complainants are typically consumer or small business advocates. The CCA and the Determination set out what the minister must or may consider when deciding whether to approve an application to become a designated complainant.

The current designated complainants are:

  • Australian Consumers’ Association, known as CHOICE
  • Consumer Action Law Centre
  • Council of Small Business Organisations Australia.

Applying for designated complainant status

Treasury advertises application periods for designated complainants on this website.

Under the Determination there must be an application period at least once every 3 years.

The first and most recent application period was from 2 to 24 May 2024.

The Minister may approve up to 3 designated complainants at any one time.

Complaints by non-designated complainants

Non-designated bodies and individual consumers and businesses can still report an issue to the ACCC.

Visit the ACCC website to view the regular ways to:

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