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ARTICLE · 27 NOVEMBER 2017

ACCC Steps Up Enforcement For Excessive Payment Surcharges

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New Australia rules banning businesses from charging excessive payments on credit, debit, and other payments have become law, as discussed in our August 2016 Alert.

AustraliaAntitrust/Competition Law
Nicolas Taylor
Nicolas Taylor
Prudence Smith
Prudence Smith
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New Australia rules banning businesses from charging excessive payments on credit, debit, and other payments have become law, as discussed in our August 2016 Alert. Initially the ban applied only to large businesses. Effective September 2017, the ban applied to all businesses based in Australia or using an Australian bank.

In an early enforcement action, on November 17, 2017, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) announced that one business, Red Balloon Pty Ltd, has paid penalties of $43,200 in relation to four infringement notices for charging excessive payment charges. It appears that the ACCC is moving from an educative and informative phase to a stronger enforcement role.

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