Australian Capital Territory Consolidated Acts

FAIR TRADING ACT 1992 - NOTES

"engaging" in conduct—see section 5 (a).

"goods" includes—

        (a)     ships, aircraft and other vehicles; and

        (b)     animals, including fish; and

        (c)     minerals, trees and crops, whether on, under or attached to land or not; and

        (d)     gas, water and electricity; and

        (e)     any component part of, or accessory to, goods.

"involved" in a contravention, for part 4 (Enforcement and remedies)—see section 40.

"new participant", in a pyramid selling scheme, for division 2.2—see section 25A.

"offering "to do an act—see section 5 (d).

"participant", in a pyramid selling scheme, for division 2.2—see section 25A.

"participate", in a pyramid selling scheme, for division 2.2—see section 25A.

"participation payment", for division 2.2—see section 25C (1), definition of "pyramid selling scheme", paragraph (a).

"payment", to a person or received by a person for division 2.2—see section 25A.

"price" includes a charge of any description.

"provision", in relation to an understanding, means any matter forming part of the understanding.

"published", in relation to a statement, includes—

        (a)     inserted in a newspaper or other publication; and

        (b)     publicly exhibited—

              (i)     in, on, over or under a building, vehicle, aircraft or ship, or in any other place (whether or not a public place and whether on land or water); or

              (ii)     in the air in view of people who are in or on a street or public place; and

        (c)     contained in a document sent or given to a person or thrown or left on, or at, premises occupied by a person; and

        (d)     broadcast by radio or television; and

        (e)     reproduced electronically; and

        (f)     made verbally.

"pyramid selling scheme", for division 2.2—see section 25C.

"recruitment payment", for division 2.2—see section 25C (1), definition of "pyramid selling scheme", paragraph (b).

"refusing" to do an act—see section 5 (c).

"require", in relation to the giving of a covenant, means require or demand the giving of the covenant, whether by way of making a contract containing the covenant or otherwise, and whether or not the covenant is given under the requirement or demand.

"resupply—"see section 7.

"send" includes deliver.

"services" includes any rights (including rights in relation to, and interests in, real or personal property), benefits, privileges or facilities that are, or are to be, provided, granted or given in trade or commerce, including the rights, benefits, privileges or facilities that are, or are to be, provided, granted or given under—

        (a)     a contract for or in relation to—

              (i)     the performance of work (including work of a professional nature), whether with or without the supply of goods; or

              (ii)     the provision of, or the use or enjoyment of facilities for, amusement, entertainment, recreation or instruction; or

              (iii)     the conferring of rights, benefits or privileges for which remuneration is payable in the form of a royalty, tribute, levy or similar exaction; or

              (iv)     the supply of electricity, gas, or any other form of energy; or

              (v)     the supply of water; or

              (vi)     sewerage services; or

        (b)     a contract of insurance; or

        (c)     a contract between a banker and a customer of the banker entered into in the course of the carrying on by the banker of the business of banking; or

        (d)     any contract for or in relation to the lending of money;

but does not include rights or benefits comprising the supply of goods or the performance of work under a contract of service.

"share" includes stock.

"statement" includes representations of any kind, whether made by means of words, maps, plans or drawings, pictorial representations or designs or any combination of these.

"supply", when used as a verb, includes—

        (a)     in relation to goods—

              (i)     supply (including resupply) by way of sale, exchange, lease, hire or hire-purchase; and

              (ii)     exhibit, expose or have in possession for the purpose of sale, exchange, lease, hire or hire-purchase or for any purpose of manufacture or trade in relation to the supply of goods; and

              (iii)                 donate for promotional purposes; and

        (b)     in relation to services—provide, grant, give or donate for promotional purposes.

Note     See s 7 for a more detailed definition of "supply".

"trade or commerce" includes any business or professional activity.

"undertaking", for part 3 (Codes of practice)—see section 32.

"unsolicited goods" means goods supplied to a person without any request made by him or her or on his or her behalf.

"unsolicited services" means services supplied to a person without any request made by him or her or on his or her behalf.

Endnotes

1     About the endnotes

Amending and modifying laws are annotated in the legislation history and the amendment history. Current modifications are not included in the republished law but are set out in the endnotes.

Not all editorial amendments made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 are annotated in the amendment history. Full details of any amendments can be obtained from the Parliamentary Counsel's Office.

Uncommenced amending laws and expiries are listed in the legislation history and the amendment history. These details are underlined. Uncommenced provisions and amendments are not included in the republished law but are set out in the last endnote.

If all the provisions of the law have been renumbered, a table of renumbered provisions gives details of previous and current numbering.

The endnotes also include a table of earlier republications.

2     Abbreviation key

am = amended	ord = ordinance
amdt = amendment	orig = original
ch = chapter	par = paragraph/subparagraph
def = definition	pres = present
dict = dictionary	prev = previous
disallowed = disallowed by the Legislative	(prev...) = previously
Assembly	pt = part
div = division	r = rule/subrule
exp = expires/expired	renum = renumbered
Gaz = gazette	reloc = relocated
hdg = heading	R[X] = Republication No
IA = Interpretation Act 1967	RI = reissue
ins = inserted/added	s = section/subsection
LA = Legislation Act 2001	sch = schedule
LR = legislation register	sdiv = subdivision
LRA = Legislation (Republication) Act 1996	sub = substituted
mod = modified/modification	SL = Subordinate Law
o = order	underlining = whole or part not commenced
om = omitted/repealed	or to be expired

3     Legislation history

Fair Trading Act 1992 No 72

notified 8 December 1992 (Gaz 1992 No S218)

s 1, s 2 commenced 8 December 1992 (s 2 (1))

remainder commenced 1 January 1993 (s 2 (2) and Gaz 1992 No S245)

as amended by

Acts Revision (Position of Crown) Act 1993 No 44 sch 2

notified 27 August 1993 (Gaz 1993 No S165)

commenced 27 August 1993 (s 2)

Statute Law Revision Act 1994 No 26 sch

notified 31 May 1994 (Gaz 1994 No S93)

commenced 31 May 1994 (s 2)

Fair Trading (Amendment) Act 1996 No 9

notified 10 April 1996 (Gaz 1996 No S59)

ss 1-3 commenced 10 April 1996 (s 2 (1))

remainder commenced 10 May 1996 (s 2 (2) and Gaz 1996 No S85)

Legal Practitioners (Consequential Amendments) Act 1997 No 96 sch 1

notified 1 December 1997 (Gaz 1997 No S380)

s 1, s 2 commenced 1 December 1997 (s 2 (1))

sch 1 commenced 1 June 1998 (s 2 (2))

Statute Law Revision (Penalties) Act 1998 No 54 sch

notified 27 November 1998 (Gaz 1998 No S207)

s 1, s 2 commenced 27 November 1998 (s 2 (1))

sch commenced 9 December 1998 (s 2 (2) and Gaz 1998 No 49)

Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1999 No 66 sch 3

notified 10 November 1999 (Gaz 1999 No 45)

commenced 10 November 1999 (s 2)

Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2000 (No 3) No 17 sch 1

notified 1 June 2000 (Gaz 2000 No 22)

commenced 1 June 2000 (s 2)

Utilities (Consequential Provisions) Act 2000 No 66 sch 1 pt 6

notified 20 December 2000 (Gaz 2000 No S68)

s 1, s 2 commenced 20 December 2000 (IA s 10B)

sch 1 pt 6 commenced 1 January 2001 (Gaz 2000 No S69)

Legislation (Consequential Amendments) Act 2001 No 44 pt 137

notified 26 July 2001 (Gaz 2001 No 30)

s 1, s 2 commenced 26 July 2001 (IA s 10B)

pt 137 commenced 12 September 2001 (s 2 and see Gaz 2001 No S65)

Fair Trading Legislation Amendment Act 2001 No 77 pt 2

notified LR 14 September 2001

s 1, s 2 commenced 14 September 2001 (LA s 75)

pt 2 commenced 14 March 2002 (LA s 79)

Fair Trading Amendment Act 2002 No 31

notified LR 9 September 2002

s 1, s 2 commenced 9 September 2002 (LA s 75)

remainder commenced 25 November 2002 (s 2)

Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2003 A2003-2 pt 4

notified LR 3 March 2003

s 1, s 2 commenced 3 March 2003 (LA s 75 (1))

pt 4 commenced 31 March 2003 (s 2 (2))

Agents Act 2003 A2003-20 s 204

notified LR 19 May 2003

s 1, s 2 commenced 19 May 2003 (LA s 75 (1))

s 204 commenced 1 November 2003 (s 2 and CN2003-12)

Civil Law (Sale of Residential Property) Act 2003 A2003-40 sch 1 pt 1.2

notified LR 8 September 2003

s 1, s 2 commenced 8 September 2003 (LA s 75 (1))

sch 1 pt 1.2 commenced 1 July 2004 (s 2)

Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2003 (No 2) A2003-47 pt 5

notified LR 31 October 2003

s 1, s 2 commenced 31 October 2003 (LA s 75 (1))

pt 5 commenced 1 November 2003 (s 2)

Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2004 A2004-18 pt 8

notified LR 6 April 2004
s 1, s 2 commenced 6 April 2004 (LA s 75 (1))
pt 8 commenced 20 April 2004 (s 2)

Statute Law Amendment Act 2005 A2005-20 sch 3 pt 3.21

notified LR 12 May 2005

s 1, s 2 taken to have commenced 8 March 2005 (LA s 75 (2))

sch 3 pt 3.21 commenced 2 June 2005 (s 2 (1))

Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2005 (No 4) A2005-60 sch 1 pt 1.16

notified LR 1 December 2005

s 1, s 2 taken to have commenced 23 November 2005 (LA s 75 (2))

sch 1 pt 1.16 commenced 22 December 2005 (s 2 (4))

Statute Law Amendment Act 2007 (No 3) A2007-39 sch 3 pt 3.17

notified LR 6 December 2007

s 1, s 2 commenced 6 December 2007 (LA s 75 (1))

sch 3 pt 3.17 commenced 27 December 2007 (s 2)

Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2008 A2008-7 sch 1 pt 1.8

notified LR 16 April 2008

s 1, s 2 commenced 16 April 2008 (LA s 75 (1))

sch 1 pt 1.8 commenced 7 May 2008 (s 2)

Firearms Amendment Act 2008 A2008-25 sch 2 pt 2.4

notified LR 15 July 2008

s 1, s 2 commenced 15 July 2008 (LA s 75 (1))

sch 2 pt 2.4 commenced 15 January 2009 (s 2 (1) and LA s 79)

4     Amendment history

Dictionary
s 2     om R4 LRA
    ins A2005-60 amdt 1.83

Notes
s 3     om R4 LRA
    ins A2005-60 amdt 1.83

Position of Crown
s 4     om 1993 No 44 sch 2

Meaning of certain terms
s 5 hdg     sub A2005-60 amdt 1.89
s 5     defs reloc to dict A2005-60 amdt 1.87
    am A2005-60 amdt 1.88, amdt 1.89
    def authority of the Territory om 1994 No 26 sch
    def court om A2005-60 amdt 1.84
    def director sub 1999 No 66 sch 3
    om 2000 No 17 sch 1
    def document om A2005-60 amdt 1.84
    def interest om A2005-60 amdt 1.84

Meaning of acquisition, supply and resupply
s 7     sub A2007-39 amdt 3.54

False and misleading conduct
div 2.1 hdg     ins A2003-2 s 33

False or misleading representations
s 14     am 2001 No 77 s 4, s 5

Bids by seller
s 15A     reloc from Auctioneers Act 1959 s 16 by A2003-20 s 204
    om A2003-40 amdt 1.2

Pyramid selling
div 2.2 hdg     ins A2003-2 s 34

Definitions—div 2.2
s 25A     ins A2003-2 s 34
    def new participant ins A2003-2 s 34
    def participant ins A2003-2 s 34
    def participate ins A2003-2 s 34
    def participation payment ins A2003-2 s 34
    def payment ins A2003-2 s 34
    def pyramid selling scheme ins A2003-2 s 34
    def recruitment payment ins A2003-2 s 34

Pyramid selling schemes—participation prohibited
s 25B     ins A2003-2 s 34

What is a pyramid selling scheme
s 25C     ins A2003-2 s 34
    am A2007-39 amdt 3.55

Marketing schemes—are they pyramid selling schemes?
s 25D     ins A2003-2 s 34

Other conduct
div 2.3 hdg     ins A2003-2 s 34

Harassment and coercion
s 26     am 1997 No 96 sch 1; A2007-39 amdt 3.56; A2008-25 amdt 2.8, amdt 2.9

Pyramid selling
s 27     om A2003-2 s 35

Unsolicited credit and debit cards
s 28     am A2007-39 amdt 3.57

Credit card contracts and increases in credit card limits
s 28A     ins 2002 No 31 s 5

Cash card use disclosure
s 28B     (prev s 28A) ins 1996 No 9 s 4
    renum 2002 No 31 s 4

Assertion of right to payment for unsolicited goods or services or for making entry in directory
s 29     am A2007-39 amdt 3.58; A2008-7 amdt 1.48

Liability of recipient of unsolicited goods
s 30     am A2007-39 amdt 3.59

Application of provisions of pt 2 to prescribed information providers
s 31     am A2007-39 amdts 3.60-3.62

Definitions for pt 3
s 32     def approved code ins A2005-60 amdt 1.90
    def code om A2005-60 amdt 1.90

Prescribed provisions
s 32A     ins 2001 No 77 s 6
    om A2005-60 amdt 1.91

Preparation of draft codes of practice
s 33     am 2000 No 17 sch 1; A2003-47 s 16; ss renum R9 LA (see A2003-47 s 17)

Approval of codes of practice
s 34     am A2003-47 s 18, s 19
    (2), (3) exp 1 November 2005 (s 34 (3))
    sub A2005-60 amdt 1.92
    (6)-(8) exp 22 December 2006 (s 34 (8))

Evidence of approved code
s 35 hdg     (prev s 35A hdg) am A2005-60 amdt 1.93
s 35     orig s 35 am 2000 No 17 s 3 sch 1; 2001 No 77 ss 7-9
    om A2005-60 amdt 1.92
    (prev s 35A) ins 1999 No 66 sch 3
    am 2000 No 17 sch 1; A2005-60 amdt 1.94
    renum A2005-60 amdt 1.95

Evidence of approved code
s 35A     renum as s 35

Undertakings following contravention of approved code
s 36 hdg     sub A2005-60 amdt 1.96
s 36     am 2000 No 17 sch 1; 2001 No 77 s 10; A2005-60 amdts 1.97-1.99

Powers of Magistrates Court
s 37     am 1998 No 54 sch; 2000 No 17 sch 1; A2005-60 amdt 1.100

Variation or discharge of restraining order
s 38     am 2000 No 17 sch 1

Registers of undertakings
s 39     am 2000 No 17 sch 1

Offences against pt 2
s 41     am 1998 No 54 sch; A2004-18 s 24, s 25; ss renum R10 LA (see A2004-18 s 26)

Enforcement and recovery of certain fines
s 42     am 2000 No 17 sch 1

Prosecutions
s 43     am 2000 No 17 sch 1

Injunctions
s 44     am 2000 No 17 sch 1; A2008-7 amdt 1.49

Order to disclose information or publish advertisement
s 45     am 2000 No 17 sch 1; A2007-39 amdt 3.63

Acts and omissions of representatives of individuals
s 48     sub A2008-7 amdt 1.50

Defences
s 49     am 2001 No 77 ss 11-13

Other orders
s 50     am 1994 No 26 sch; 2000 No 17 sch 1

Power of Magistrates Court to prohibit payment or transfer of money or other property
s 51     am 1998 No 54 sch; 2000 No 17 sch 1; A2005-20 amdt 3.152; A2007-39 amdt 3.64

Power of Magistrates Court for pt 4
s 51AA     ins A2003-47 s 20

Enforcement of undertakings
s 51A     ins 2001 No 77 s 14

Substantiation of claims
s 51B     ins 2001 No 77 s 14

Regulation-making power
s 54     sub 2001 No 44 amdt 1.1582

Dictionary
dict     ins A2005-60 amdt 1.101
    def acquire reloc from s 5 A2005-60 amdt 1.87
    am A2007-39 amdt 3.65
    def approved code ins A2005-60 amdt 1.101
    def arrive at reloc from s 5 A2005-60 amdt 1.87
    def business reloc from s 5 A2005-60 amdt 1.87
    def commissioner ins 2000 No 17 sch 1
    reloc from s 5 A2005-60 amdt 1.87
    def conduct ins A2005-60 amdt 1.101
    def consumer ins A2005-60 amdt 1.101
    def covenant reloc from s 5 A2005-60 amdt 1.87
    am A2007-39 amdt 3.66
    def disposal ins A2007-39 amdt 3.67
    def engaging ins A2005-60 amdt 1.101
    def goods reloc from s 5 A2005-60 amdt 1.87
    def involved ins A2005-60 amdt 1.101
    def new participant ins A2005-60 amdt 1.101
    def offering ins A2005-60 amdt 1.101
    def participant ins A2005-60 amdt 1.101
    def participate ins A2005-60 amdt 1.101
    def participation payment ins A2005-60 amdt 1.101
    def payment ins A2005-60 amdt 1.101
    def price reloc from s 5 A2005-60 amdt 1.87
    def provision reloc from s 5 A2005-60 amdt 1.87
    def published reloc from s 5 A2005-60 amdt 1.87
    def pyramid selling scheme ins A2005-60 amdt 1.101
    def recruitment payment ins A2005-60 amdt 1.101
    def refusing ins A2005-60 amdt 1.101
    def require reloc from s 5 A2005-60 amdt 1.87
    def resupply ins A2007-39 amdt 3.67
    def send sub A2005-60 amdt 1.85
    reloc from s 5 A2005-60 amdt 1.87
    def services am 2000 No 66 sch 1 pt 6
    reloc from s 5 A2005-60 amdt 1.87
    am A2007-39 amdt 3.68, amdt 3.69
    def share reloc from s 5 A2005-60 amdt 1.87
    def statement reloc from s 5 A2005-60 amdt 1.87
    def supply am A2005-60 amdt 1.86
    reloc from s 5 A2005-60 amdt 1.87
    am A2007-39 amdt 3.70
    def trade or commerce reloc from s 5 A2005-60 amdt 1.87
    def undertaking ins A2005-60 amdt 1.101
    def unsolicited goods reloc from s 5 A2005-60 amdt 1.87
    def unsolicited services reloc from s 5 A2005-60 amdt 1.87

5     Earlier republications

Some earlier republications were not numbered. The number in column 1 refers to the publication order.

Since 12 September 2001 every authorised republication has been published in electronic pdf format on the ACT legislation register. A selection of authorised republications have also been published in printed format. These republications are marked with an asterisk (*) in column 1. Electronic and printed versions of an authorised republication are identical.

Republication No	Amendments to	Republication date
1	Act 1993 No 44	31 January 1994
2	Act 1997 No 96	1 June 1998
3	Act 1998 No 54	31 March 1999
4	Act 2000 No 17	31 July 2000
5	Act 2001 No 77	14 September 2001
5 (RI)	Act 2001 No 77 ‡	11 August 2003
6	Act 2001 No 77	14 March 2002
6 (RI)	Act 2001 No 77 ‡	11 August 2003
7	Act 2002 No 31	25 November 2002
7 (RI)	Act 2002 No 31 ‡	11 August 2003
8	A2003-2	31 March 2003
8 (RI)	A2003-2 ‡	11 August 2003
9	A2003-47	1 November 2003
10	A2004-18	20 April 2004
11	A2004-18	1 July 2004
12*	A2005-20	2 June 2005
13	A2005-20	2 November 2005
14	A2005-60	22 December 2005
15	A2005-60	23 December 2006
16	A2007-39	27 December 2007
17	A2008-7	7 May 2008
‡ includes textual correction in s 37 (1)

© Australian Capital Territory 2009

Australian Capital Territory

A1992-72

Republication No 18

Effective: 15 January 2009

Republication date: 15 January 2009

Last amendment made by A2008-25





Unauthorised version prepared by ACT Parliamentary Counsel's Office

About this republication

The republished law

This is a republication of the Fair Trading Act 1992

(including any amendment made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 (Editorial changes)) as in force on 15 January 2009

. It also includes any amendment, repeal or expiry affecting the republished law to 15 January 2009

.

The legislation history and amendment history of the republished law are set out in endnotes 3 and 4.

Kinds of republications

The Parliamentary Counsel's Office prepares 2 kinds of republications of ACT laws (see the ACT legislation register at www.legislation.act.gov.au):

              • authorised republications to which the Legislation Act 2001 applies

              • unauthorised republications.

The status of this republication appears on the bottom of each page.

Editorial changes

The Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 authorises the Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial amendments and other changes of a formal nature when preparing a law for republication. Editorial changes do not change the effect of the law, but have effect as if they had been made by an Act commencing on the republication date (see Legislation Act 2001, s 115 and s 117). The changes are made if the Parliamentary Counsel considers they are desirable to bring the law into line, or more closely into line, with current legislative drafting practice.

This republication does not include amendments made under part 11.3 (see endnote 1).

Uncommenced provisions and amendments

If a provision of the republished law has not commenced or is affected by an uncommenced amendment, the symbol  U  appears immediately before the provision heading. The text of the uncommenced provision or amendment appears only in the last endnote.

Modifications

If a provision of the republished law is affected by a current modification, the symbol  M  appears immediately before the provision heading. The text of the modifying provision appears in the endnotes. For the legal status of modifications, see Legislation Act 2001, section 95.

Penalties

The value of a penalty unit for an offence against this republished law at the republication date is—

(a) if the person charged is an individual—$100; or

(b) if the person charged is a corporation—$500.

Australian Capital Territory

Fair Trading Act 1992

Endnotes

Australian Capital Territory

Fair Trading Act 1992