The Law Handbook 2024

1200 Index Indigenous consumers 728 information services 727 inspection of rental property 485 integrated compliance approach 727 internet advice 751 Koori Helpline 728 legal advice line 687 market intelligence 728 National Indigenous Consumer Strategy 728 Owners Corporation Act administered by 593 owners corporation disputes 606, 607 regional offices 727 remedies where complaint not resolved by 728 role 727 rooming house inspection 490 tenancy disputes 474, 540 tenancy offences reportable to 533 website 364, 540, 552, 609, 625, 626, 627, 687, 703, 727, 729, 751 Consumer Data Right (CDR) 1113 complaints about 1114 consumer disputes 715–31 alternative dispute resolution 716–17, 724, 728 appeals 726 application to VCAT 720, 722–4 Australian Consumer Law 720, 721 Australian Consumer Law and Fair Trading Act 2012 (Vic) 688, 720 jurisdiction under 720, 721 small claims 719–27 Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) 716 breach of contract see breach of contract breach of guarantee see consumer guarantees claim procedure 722–6 company or business name, claim in 723 complaint bodies 716–17, 729–31 complaints to CAV 727–9 concurrent wrongdoers 723 Consumer Affairs Victoria services 727–9 consumer and trader disputes 720, 721 consumer, definition 705, 721 contacts 729–31 costs 722, 724 court remedies 715–16, 717–19 cross-applications 723 damages 717–18 disability services 729 enforcement of orders 726–7 fast track mediation 724 fees 722 waiver of 723 finance contacts 729 financial counselling 729 food safety 730 health insurance 730 health services 730 hearing 724–6 licensing bodies 729 local government 730 Magistrates’ Court 726 mediation 716, 724 misleading and deceptive conduct 720 negligence 721 non-appearance of party 725–6 notice of hearing or ADR 724 Ombudsman services 716–17, 730 orders by VCAT 721, 722, 726–7 correcting 727 enforcement 726–7 non-monetary 726–7 payment of money 726 parties 723 preparation of claim 724 proportionate liability 723 public transport 730–1 real estate agents 731 remedies 715–27 self-help 715 settlement before hearing 724 small claims 724 costs 722, 724 VCAT Civil Claims List 719–27 specific performance 718, 722, 728 superannuation 731 Supreme Court 726 taxation 731 telecommunications 731 transport 731 tribunal remedies 715–16 unfair contract terms 694–7, 720 utilities 730 VCAT Civil Claims List 688, 715, 719–27 advice before making claim 721 appeal from 726 Civil Claims application form 721 claim procedure 722–6 costs 722, 724 disputes not resolved by CAV 728 fees 722 hearings 721, 724–6 legislation 720 orders 721, 722, 726–7 representation 724 witness statements 724, 725 consumer guarantees 704–13 ACCC/ASIC guide to 704 acceptable quality 704, 706–7, 711 auction, goods sold at 705, 706 internet auctions 745 Australian Consumer Law 704–12, 720 breach 709–12 able to be remedied 710 cancellation of contract 709 compensation 704 consequential loss or damage 710, 711 damages 710, 711 goods, 709–10 major failure 709–10 manufacturer’s guarantees 704, 711–12 refund 709 rejection of goods 709 repair 704, 709 replacement 709 services, 710–11 car sale contracts 640–1 consumer, definition 705 consumer guide to 704 contracts to which applicable 704–6 defective goods enforcement 709–12 exclusion clauses 684–5, 706 finance agreements 712–13 financial services 709 fitness for purpose 704, 706, 707, 709 goods 706–8 acceptable quality 704, 706–7, 711 breach 709–10 covered by ACL 705, 705 definition 705 express warranties 704, 708 fitness for purpose 704, 706, 707 major failures 709–10 matching description 704, 707, 709, 711 minor failures 710 parts 704 rejection of 709–10 remedies against manufacturer 711–12 remedies against supplier 709–10 repairs and spare parts 704, 707, 711 sample, correspondence with 707, 709 second-hand 705 seller’s right to sell 704, 708 title to 704, 708 importer 709 linked credit provider 712–13 major failures goods 709–10 rejection of goods 709–10 services 711 manufacturer’s warranties 704, 711–12 compensation for breach 712 consumer, definition 705 exceptions 712 extended warranties 712 goods covered 705, 705 importer 709 limitation of actions 711 manufacturer, definition 705 remedies for breach 704, 711–12 voluntary warranties 711–12 minor failures goods 710 services 711 online purchases 706, 744 overseas businesses 705, 709 private sellers 706 recreational services 720 remedies for breach 704, 709–7 see also breach of contract repair of defective goods 704, 710 returning unsatisfactory goods 709 service provider guarantees 704 services 704, 808–9 breach 710–11 definition 704 due care and skill 704, 708 financial services 709 fitness for purpose 704, 708, 711 recreational 720 remedies against supplier 710–11 time of supply 709, 711 supplier’s guarantees, 704 compensation 710 major failures 709–8 minor failures 710 remedies against goods supplier 709–10 remedies against services supplier 710–11 supply, meaning 705 title 704, 708 undisclosed securities 708 undisturbed possession 704, 708