New anti-price-gouging laws for Australia's largest supermarkets took effect on July 1, 2026. The legislation amends the mandatory Food and Grocery Code to target retailers with annual revenue exceeding A$30 billion. Currently, only Coles Group and Woolworths meet this specific threshold.
The law prohibits charging prices deemed significantly excessive compared to supply costs and reasonable margins. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) enforces these new regulations. Initial monitoring focuses on products most likely to cause consumer harm if overpriced.
Breaching companies face fines of up to A$10 million. Alternative penalties include three times the benefit derived from the practice. The ACCC may also seek 10% of a company's annual turnover.