Federal budget boosts ACCC enforcement capabilities

The ACCC's enforcement priorities will be given a substantial resourcing boost following the federal government's allocation of an additional $67.7 million over four years (and $20.1 million ongoing) in this week's budget. A further $15+ million will be allocated to progressing reforms including in relation to unfair trading practices, consumer guarantees, supplier indemnification and strengthening Australia's product safety framework and safety standards.

The funding boost will bolster the ACCC's increased scrutiny on pricing practices, digital markets manipulation and emerging technology and product safety, consistent with its 2026-2027 priorities.

The funding will in part be offset by increased penalty revenue from the ACCC's enforcement actions, estimated at an additional $164.2 million over two years from 2028-2029. This is also consistent with ACCC Chair Cass-Gottlieb's public comments in announcing the ACCC's 2026–27 compliance and enforcement priorities which indicated that the ACCC will pursue "high penalties" for deliberate conduct and "accountability of senior executives" where poor compliance culture is apparent.

Tackling the cost of living and increasing productivity are key focuses for the Federal Government across the Budget, which sees active enforcement of competition law and reducing market concentration through the ACCC as a key lever in achieving these aims. Merger reforms, which commenced on 1 January 2026, and the doubling of maximum ACCC enforcement penalties on 28 March 2026, also demonstrate this ongoing commitment.

In addition to the broader priority areas for enforcement already identified by the ACCC, the Budget Papers also specifically note that the ACCC will be focusing on:

• a renewed focus on anti-competitive conduct in the fuel industry in light of the Middle East conflict, including increased maximum penalties for breaches of the Oil Code of Conduct;
  
  

• introducing nationally consistent safety standards for devices such as e-scooters and e-bikes; and
  
  

• continuing the National Anti-Scam Centre’s activities for 12 months.

On the products front, the ACCC continues to have a particular focus on enforcement of consumer guarantees and industry compliance with button battery, magnets, motor vehicles, infant sleep and toppling furniture mandatory standards. These enforcement priorities, together with product safety in the digital economy, are likely to be ongoing trends when the ACCC updates their product safety priorities in July this year.

The ACCC's own media release confirms the role of these enforcement priority areas in determining whether to pursue a matter, as well as consideration of issues such as broad public interest, deterrence or education for market participants and clarification of the law.

Australian businesses can therefore expect ongoing heightened scrutiny and enforcement activity from the ACCC across the full spectrum of competition, consumer protection and product safety issues.