Australia

Australia has a mature competition regime shaped by strong common law institutions, active regulatory enforcement, and a public policy culture that is open to regular inquiry and review. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) leads public enforcement of anti-competitive conduct cases in the Federal Court of Australia under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, while private litigation also plays an important role in deterring anti-competitive conduct.

Australia has had competition legislation in some form since 1906, with the modern framework established in 1974 and most recently reviewed by the Harper Committee in 2015. In addition to the national legislative regime, sector-specific legislation exists at both federal and state levels to promote competition in areas such as telecommunications, energy, and public utilities. Broader efforts are currently underway to revitalise National Competition Policy. The ACCC has developed a reputation as a global leader in addressing the competition challenges posed by digitalisation. It has undertaken major inquiries, including the long-running Digital Platforms Inquiry which examined the impact of market power in search engines, social media and data aggregators on competition in the media and advertising sectors.

The Lab’s Australia Initiative positions itself at the forefront of competition law and public policy, with a focus on innovation in digital markets—including artificial intelligence, crypto assets, and data-driven digital commerce. The Initiative will act as a forum for Australian regulators, judges, academics, and policymakers to engage in collaborative dialogue, with the aim of discussing current and emerging issues and promoting regulatory settings that foster competition and innovation in the digital economy.