Business, industry and trade

There are a number of South Australian and national laws designed to protect consumers when purchasing, hiring or leasing goods or services.

On this page:

Overview
Consumer protection legislation
Your business approach to consumers

Overview

These laws prevent restrictive or misleading business practices with the aim of ensuring customers are able to buy goods and services safely and use them confidently for their intended purpose.

These laws also regulate trading practices and set standards for traders to promote equity, honesty and fairness. Consumer laws regulate:

• trading practices such as door-to-door sales, pre-paid funerals and health and fitness contracts
• safety of products sold
• purchase of goods by weight or measure
• credit provision
• licensing of trades and occupations.

[top of page]

Consumer protection legislation

There are four key areas of consumer protection legislation that place obligations on business owners:

1. fair trading under the Fair Trading Act 1987
2. trade practices under the Trade Practices Act 1974 (one of the most notable being misleading advertising)
3. product safety standards under the Trade Standards Act 1979 
4. customer contact issues such as refunds, bag searches and price tags.

However, there is also legislation that applies to specific industries, including:

• building work under the Building Work Contractors Act 1995
• transfer of real estate under the Conveyancers Act Conveyancers Act 1994
• real estate under the Land Agents Act 1994, Land and Business (Sale and Conveyancing) Act 1994 and Land Valuers Act 1994
• plumbing, gas and electrical work under the Plumbers, Gas Fitters and Electricians Act 1995
• commercial property under the Retail and Commercial Leases Act 1995
• second vehicle sales under the Second-hand Vehicle Dealers Act 1995
• security and investigation activities under the Security and Investigation Agents Act 1995
• travel under the Travel Agents Act 1986. 

Purchase authorised copies of state legislation online or in person from:

Government Legislation Outlet
108 North Terrace
Adelaide SA 5000
Mon to Fri 9.00 am to 5.00 pm
Telephone: 13 23 24

[top of page]

Your business approach to consumers

As a business operator you need to:

• understand the basic laws before starting to trade
• put policies and procedures in place that are consistent with the law
• be prepared to seek legal advice where necessary.

The best way to avoid problems is to follow ethical business practices that do not mislead or disadvantage your consumers and ensure you comply with all relevant legislation.

The way you and your employees deal with customers is critical to all aspects of your relationship with them. You are there to help meet the customer's needs, so the way you deliver your information, the way you service them face-to-face and the way you deal with after-sales issues all impact on your success and reputation.

[top of page]

---

More information

On this site
The aims of fair trading
Your fair trading obligations
Advertising and the law
Sales practices
Licensing of trades and occupations
Building and Construction licences