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Fair Trading services are provided by the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation.
Fair Trading Operations
We actively work towards creating a fairer and safer Queensland. We undertake and coordinate statewide compliance and enforcement activities to promote a competitive, fair and informed marketplace.
We increase business and consumer confidence by protecting consumers and businesses against unethical behaviour.
We achieve these goals by:
- having an effective regulatory program, balancing business and consumer needs
- continuing our proactive compliance program, targeting areas where consumers are more at risk
- conciliating consumer complaints
- developing safety standards and monitoring product safety
- licensing industry and registering business names
- investigating possible breaches of fair trading legislation
- inspecting businesses to make sure they are weighing and measuring their products accurately
- registering and accrediting residential services.
We deliver services through our offices in Brisbane, Cairns, Southport, Mackay, Rockhampton, Maroochydore, Toowoomba, Townsville and Hervey Bay.
A summary of fair trading activities can be found in the department's annual report. A comprehensive list of our publications is also available.
Contact Fair Trading Operations.
Compliance
We are responsible for receiving and considering your complaints and investigating possible breaches of legislation. We provide information and advice to you about marketplace issues that are within our jurisdiction.
Our work includes:
- handling your complaints
- enforcing fair trading legislation including through the courts and the Commercial and Consumer Tribunal
- investigating possible breaches of our legislation
- proactive compliance operations
- processing and determining claims against the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Claim Fund
- consumer awareness programs conducted through the media, shopping centre displays, visits to businesses and presentations to community groups.
Contact Compliance.
Tactical Compliance
We investigate serious consumer fraud, marketeering, and undertake disciplinary and criminal action against licensees and certificate holders. We also manage the development and implementation of statewide compliance policy and procedures.
Our work includes:
- managing and reporting on our complaint database
- developing proactive statewide compliance strategies
- enforcement action through the courts and the Commercial and Consumer Tribunal for breaches of our legislation
- investigating possible breaches of consumer credit laws
- researching and analysing matters that affect our compliance program
- investigating complaints about potentially unsafe consumer products and enforcing the national product safety compliance regime
- liaising and consulting with a range of organisations to promote indigenous consumers rights
- staff development and other initiatives.
Contact Tactical Compliance.
Statewide Operations
We have eight regional offices located in Cairns, Gold Coast, Mackay, Rockhampton, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba, Townsville and Wide Bay. At these offices we:
- handle your complaints
- investigate possible breaches of our legislation
- enforce our legislation through the courts and the Commercial and Consumer Tribunal
- run proactive compliance operations
- run consumer awareness programs conducted through the media, shopping centre displays, visits to businesses and presentations to community groups
- offer counter services so you can pay for licence and registration applications and business name registrations.
Contact Statewide Operations.
Business Services
Business Services incorporates Industry Licensing, Registration Services, Funds Administration and Residential Services Accreditation.
Our work includes:
- delivering registration and accreditation services for boarding houses, supported accommodation and aged rental accommodation across Queensland under the Residential Services (Accreditation) Act 2002 and the delivery of proactive compliance strategies and investigation activities
- licensing and registration of introduction agents, real estate agents, motor dealers, auctioneers, pawnbrokers, debt collectors, second-hand dealers, security providers and travel agents
- monitoring agreements with financial institutions to pay interest on trust accounts operated by licensees under the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act 2000
- processing claims made against the Funeral Benefit Trust Fund
- registering business names, security interests, incorporated associations, charities, cooperatives and retirement village schemes.
Contact Business Services.
Fair Trading Policy
The primary function of Fair Trading Policy is to develop, coordinate and implement marketplace regulation proposals for primary and subordinate legislation. We routinely consult with a wide range of interested parties, including members of the judiciary and the magistracy, professional associations, and peak industry and consumer bodies about specific legislative proposals.
We also provide advice to the Minister, Director-General, other State Government departments and Commonwealth agencies about fair trading issues.
We often publish discussion papers, exposure bills and similar documents to give you a chance to have your say.
Contact Fair Trading Policy.
Last reviewed 18/08/2009 |
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