Competition and consumer laws play a significant role in all transactions between business and consumers, and among businesses. This course shows how businesses and consumers can use the ,Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) as both a "sword" and a "shield" in business dealings. In particular, the course examines the regulation of restrictive trade practices, such as cartels, pricing arrangements, abuse of market power, exclusive dealing, resale price maintenance and mergers.

It also examines the consumer protection provisions under the Australian Consumer Law (Sch 2 of the Competition and Consumer Act), with a particular focus on misleading or deceptive conduct and false representations. The course also includes a study of the role and function of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), as the regulator that enforces the Competition and Consumer Act; how to identify and handle competition and consumer law risks and how to develop and manage compliances programs. Some consideration is also given to the regulation of competition and consumer laws in key overseas jurisdictions (notably, the US, EU and UK).