The ACCC is responsible for the economic regulation of the communications sector, including telecommunications and the National Broadband Network (NBN), broadcasting and content sectors.
Along with the AER, we regulate some national infrastructure services (such as communications, bulk water and energy) and monitor other markets where there is limited competition.
While the ACCC does not set fuel prices, we do monitor retail fuel prices on a daily basis and also produce a monitoring report on the Australian petrol industry.
Projects
| Title | Industry | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| News media bargaining code | Digital | Focus area |
Finalised
9 December 2020 |
On 20 April 2020, the Australian Government announced it had directed the ACCC to develop a mandatory code of conduct to address bargaining power imbalances between Australian news media businesses and each of Google and Facebook. |
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| Gas inquiry 2017-2025 | Energy | Inquiry |
Ongoing
Commenced 19 April 2017 |
On 19 April 2017, the Australian Government directed the ACCC to conduct a wide-ranging inquiry into the supply of and demand for natural gas in Australia, as well as to publish regular information on the supply and pricing of gas for the next three years. |
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| NBN Co SAU variation: extension to non-price terms | Communications | Access undertaking |
Ongoing
|
On 8 May 2019, NBN Co lodged a proposed variation to its Special Access Undertaking (SAU) with the ACCC. The Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (CCA) allows NBN Co to give the ACCC a variation to an SAU already in operation. The ACCC accepted NBN Co's current SAU on 13 December 2013, following an extensive consultation process. |
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| Digital platform services inquiry 2020-2025 | Digital | Inquiry |
Ongoing
|
On 10 February 2020 the Australian Government directed the ACCC to conduct an inquiry into markets for the supply of digital platform services. |
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| Superfast broadband network class exemption & deemed functional separation undertaking | Communications | Access determination |
Finalised
21 January 2021 |
The Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Competition and Consumer) Act 2020 received Royal Assent on 25 May 2020. Among other provisions, it amends the Telecommunications Act 1997 (Cth) (Tel Act) to enable superfast fixed line broadband networks serving residential customers to operate on a functionally separated basis (rather than a structurally separated basis). |
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| Further consultation on permitted information sharing | Communications | Access determination |
Finalised
9 March 2021 |
On 3 March 2021, the ACCC issued two determinations that specify the kinds of information that may be shared between a retail and wholesale business unit of a corporation bound by a standard or deemed functional separation undertaking. |
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| December 2020 variation of the 2011 Hunter Valley Coal Network Access Undertaking | Rail | Access undertaking |
Ongoing
1 March 2021 |
On 23 December 2020, the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) applied to the ACCC to vary its 2011 Hunter Valley Coal Network Access Undertaking. The proposed variation seeks to extend the Undertaking by five years, to 31 December 2026. Upon commencement, the proposed variation seeks to be treated as having taken effect as of 1 July 2021, six months prior to the current expiration date of 31 December 2021. The proposed variation seeks to change a number of provisions in the Undertaking that will result in lower prices for Access Holders. |
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| LBAS & SBAS declarations inquiry 2020 | Communications | Access declaration |
Ongoing
26 February 2020 |
The ACCC has commenced a public inquiry into future regulation of the superfast broadband access service (SBAS) and the local bitstream access service (LBAS). |
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