Applications to become a designated complainant are now closed
Designated complainants are able to make designated complaints to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) under the designated complaints function.
About designated complaints
The ACCC administers and enforces the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (the Act).
The Australian Government created the designated complaints function to empower designated complainants (such as consumer or small business advocates) to submit designated complaints to the ACCC.
Designated complaints should relate to:
- a significant or systemic market issue affecting Australian consumers or small businesses, and
- either a potential breach of the Act or the ACCC’s powers or functions under the Act.
ACCC response requirements
The ACCC must respond to a designated complaint from a designated complainant within 90 days. It must state what further action, if any, it intends to take.
For transparency, the ACCC must also publish certain information on its website.
Legislation
For further information about the designated complaints function, see Part XIE of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 and the Competition and Consumer (Designated Complaints) Determination 2024 (the Determination).
Becoming a designated complainant
Under the Determination, applications to become a designated complainant must be made during an application period set out on Treasury’s website.
The first application period opened on 2 May 2024 and closed on 24 May 2024.
The start and end date of the next application period, along with information on how to apply, will be announced on this website.
Application assessment
Section 154ZQ of the Act and section 11 of the Determination set out matters that the minister must, or may, consider in deciding whether to approve an application to become a designated complainant.
The approved application form contains additional information and guidance.
Under the Determination, the number of designated complainants that the minister may approve is limited to 3 at any one time. After the minister grants an approval or approvals, the name of the designated complainant(s) will be published on this website.