Commerce: Internet resources

Office of Fair Trading
The Office of Fair Trading safeguards consumer rights and advises business and traders on fair and ethical practice. Besides direct services for individuals, the legislative framework we administer sets the rules for fairness in the countless daily transactions between consumers and traders. Unfair practices are investigated and prevented and a licensing system helps ensure unqualified or inappropriate people do not work in a range of NSW industries.

Money stuff
Money stuff focuses on youth matters. The information deals with personal and consumer issues. The information can be accessed through Buying stuff, Car, Computer, Credit, Mobile phones and Renting.

Undersanding Money
The Understanding Money website provides curriclum resoureces to develop Consumer and Financial Literacy for our students.

Commonwealth Bank Financial Literacy Curriculum Resource
A free resource, consisting of 12 teaching and learning modules, in the area of financial literacy. Each module has been mapped to the Stage 4-5 Commerce and Mathematics syllabuses. These modules were funded by the Commonwealth Bank Foundation and were developed by the NSW Department of Education and Training under the guidance of a National Curriculum Steering and Advisory Committee. Click on "Curriculum resource" to access the materials.

Choice On line
The web site of the Australian Consumers' Association. It contains a great deal of information about products and consumer issues. The site has limited free information. All information is available to subscribers.

REVS
REVS was established in 1986 by the Registration of Interests in Goods Act 1986 (RIGA). REVS stands for the Register of Encumbered Vehicles. It is a statutory public register which assists; the general public, the finance sector and the motor trade. The register holds information about motor vehicles and boats that have been used as security for a loan from a bank, finance company, credit union or other credit provider.

Renting guide
The Office of Fair Trading administers the laws which set out the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants. Their role includes the following activities:

providing information about the laws affecting tenants and landlords
handling complaints about possible breaches of the legislation
providing mediation to help resolve disputes
conducting education campaigns
producing educational resources
reviewing and amending the legislation to ensure it remains relevant
monitoring the marketplace to detect unfair practices
processing and holding rental bonds.

Consumer, Trader & Tenancy Tribunal
The CTTT was established as the specialist dispute resolution forum for consumer, trader and tenancy based matters. The CTTT deals with matters under the following 8 Divisions: home building, residential parks, motor vehicle, retirement villages, tenancy, general strata and community schemes and commercial.

The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman
The TIO is an independent non-government scheme. It is not a consumer advocate, but rather a service to help consumers and telecommunications companies resolve disputes.

Australian Communications and Media Authority
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is responsible for regulating telecommunications and radio communications, including promoting industry self-regulation and managing the radio frequency spectrum. The ACMA also has significant consumer protection responsibilities. It contains fact sheets for consumers including computer and mobile phones.

Credit Code
The Consumer Credit Code governs all credit transactions taking place in Australia from 1 November 1996. For the first time, consumers have the same standard coverage wherever she/he live and however she/he use credit. This site explains the standards, rights and responsibilities.

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
An independent statutory authority, the Commission administers the Trade Practices Act 1974 and the Prices Surveillance Act 1983 and has additional responsibilities under other legislation. Under the national competition policy reform program the Trade Practices Act has been amended so that, with State/Territory application legislation, its prohibitions of anti-competitive conduct apply to virtually all businesses in Australia.

Youth NSW
This site aims to keep young people in NSW informed about what the Government is doing for young people and where to go for information about issues, services and activities. The site also aims to encourage youth participation and hear young people's ideas on a range of issues.

Ministerial Council on Consumer Affairs
The Ministerial Council on Consumer Affairs (MCCA) consists of all Commonwealth, State, Territory and New Zealand Ministers responsible for fair trading, consumer protection laws and credit laws. The role of MCCA is to consider consumer affairs and fair trading matters of national significance and, where possible, develop a consistent approach to those issues.

Australian Bureau of Statistics
The Australian Bureau of Statistics is Australia's official statistical organisation. It assists and encourages informed decision-making, research and discussion within governments and the community, by providing a high quality, objective and responsive national statistical service.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission enforces company and financial services laws to protect consumers, investors and creditors. It regulates and informs the public about Australian companies, financial markets, financial services organisations and professionals who deal and advise in investments, superannuation, insurance, deposit taking and credit.

The Reserve Bank
The Reserve Bank's main function is monetary policy. Policy decisions are made by the Board, with the objective of achieving low and stable inflation over the medium term. Other major roles are maintaining financial system stability and promoting the safety and efficiency of the payments system. The Bank is an active participant in financial markets, manages Australia's foreign reserves, issues Australian currency notes and serves as banker to the Commonwealth Government. The information provided by the Reserve Bank includes statistics - for example, on interest rates, exchange rates and money and credit growth - and a range of publications on its operations and research.

Australian Taxation Office
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) manages and shapes the revenue systems that give effect to social and economic policy and fund services for Australians. The ATOs main role is to administer legislation for taxes and excise (other than customs duty). The ATO also works with other government departments on policy matters relating to taxation and excise. When policies are determined by the federal Government, the ATO instructs parliamentary counsel in the preparation of necessary legislation.

Scamwatch
Scams are means of depriving you of your money. They give you nothing or little of value in return. Scams prey on people's desire to increase their wealth or their need for health, safety, or beauty. Some scams can manipulate you without you being aware of it. Some will offer you things you neither want nor need. Scammers play on your emotions. They are masters at the art of influence. This government site outlines consumer information about scams.

Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) is the peak council of Australian business associations. Our member network has over 350,000 businesses represented through Chambers of Commerce in each State and Territory, and a nationwide network of industry associations. That makes ACCI the largest and most representative business association in Australia.

The Australian Council of Trade Unions
The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), represents around 1.8 million workers, and is the only peak council and national centre representing the Australian workforce.

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