Changes to Australian Consumer Law will prohibit businesses from proposing, using, or relying on unfair contract terms in standard form contracts with consumers and small businesses.
Courts will be able to impose substantial penalties on businesses and individuals who include unfair terms in their standard form contracts. Currently, a court can only declare specific terms of a contract unfair and therefore void.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission are encouraging all businesses to review their standard form contracts and remove or amend any unfair contract terms before new penalties take effect.
The changes apply to standard form contracts made or renewed on or after 9 November 2023 or to a term or a contract that is varied or added on or after 9 November 2023.
While some of the changes will not apply to contracts until they are renewed, or a new contract is entered into, businesses should be proactive in reviewing their standard form contracts now.
The changes will also expand the coverage of the unfair contract term laws to apply to more small business contracts than before. The threshold for small business contracts will increase and apply to small business that employ fewer than 100 persons or have an annual turnover of less than $10 million.
Updated Home Building Contracts
ACFA have updated the Home Building Contracts to reflect the new laws which can be found under the Resources Tab. Members who purchased a Home Building Contract previously will receive a complimentary updated contract/(s) based on their previous purchase. This is just one of the many benefits of being an ACFA Member.
Businesses can view information about changes to the unfair contract terms laws on the ACCC’s website.