ACCC
About
From ACCC website
Our purpose
Making markets work for consumers, now and in the future.
Our role
Competitive, informed and (when necessary) well-regulated markets lead to lower prices, better quality products and services, and more choice. This increases the prosperity and welfare of all Australians.
We focus on taking action that most promotes the proper functioning of Australian markets, protects competition, improves consumer welfare and stops conduct that is anti-competitive or harmful to consumers.
The ACCC employs the following strategies to achieve our purpose:
maintaining and promoting competition
protecting the interests and safety of consumers, and supporting fair trading in markets affecting consumers and small business
promoting the economically efficient operation of, use of, and investment in infrastructure, and identifying market failure
undertaking market studies and inquiries to support competition, consumer and regulatory outcomes.
Chair
See ACCC Chairs and Commissioners page for more details. Below is a brief overview of past chairs.
Gina Cass-Gottlieb
Gina Cass-Gottlieb
Chair 21 March 2022 - current
Gina Cass-Gottlieb started a five year appointment on 21 March 2022. Prior to joining the ACCC Gina was a senior partner of Gilbert and Tobin’s competition and regulatory team.
Former Chairs (ACCC)
Rod Sims
1 August 2011 - 18 March 2022
Rod Sims was nominated by the Gillard Government and appointed by the Governor-General on 17 July 2011 with unanimous support by the states and territories.
Rod Sims was re-appointed for a further three year term in August 2016 and was re-appointed again on 25 October 2018 for a further three year term until 2022.
Graeme Samuel AC
1 July 2003 - 31 July 2011
Graeme Samuel AC was appointed Chairman of the ACCC in 2003 and held that position until 2011. Graeme Samuel is a lawyer by profession. He was awarded Companion of the Order of Australia in 2010 for eminent service to public administration through contributions in the area of economic reform and competition law, and to the community through leadership roles with sporting and cultural organisations..
Professor Allan Fels AO
1 July 1995 - 30 June 2003
Professor Fels was the first Chairman of the ACCC. He completed a Law/Economics degree at the University of Western Australia and has a PhD in Economics from Duke University. He has held a wide variety of positions both prior to and after his Chairmanship at the ACCC.
Professor Fels was awarded Officer of the Order of Australia in 2001 for 'service to Australian competition policy through the development and regulation of trade practices and consumer protection, and to public education in relation to consumer law and its implications for business and commerce.'
Former Chairs (Trade Practices Commission)
Professor Allan Fels
1991-1995 (Chairman of TPC)
1995-2003 (Chairman of ACCC)
Professor Fels was the first Chairman of the ACCC. He completed a Law/Economics degree at the University of Western Australia and has a PhD in Economics from Duke University. He has held a wide variety of positions both prior to and after his Chairmanship at the ACCC.
Professor Fels was awarded Officer of the Order of Australia in 2001 for 'service to Australian competition policy through the development and regulation of trade practices and consumer protection, and to public education in relation to consumer law and its implications for business and commerce.'
Professor Robert (Bob) Baxt AO (dec)
1988-1991
Professor Baxt is a lawyer and academic. He was the third and final Chairman of the Trade Practices Commission. Prior to his time at the Commission he was Dean of Law at Monash University; since leaving the Commission he has been a Parner at Herbert Smith Freehills (Melbourne) and is a Professorial Fellow at the Melbourne Law School.
Professor Baxt was awarded Officer of the Order of Australia in 2003, for 'service to the law, particularly as a leading spokesperson in the areas of trade practice, competition, taxation and corporate law, and in the field of legal education'.
William Robert (Bob) McComas AM (dec)
February 1985 - February 1988
Bob McComas was a lawyer prior to taking up his position as Chairman of the TPC.
Bob was awarded Member of the Order of Australia for 'service to business and commerce in the field of competition and corporate law through the Trade Practices Commission.'
Ronald (Ron) Bannerman AO (dec)
October 1974 - 1985
Ron Bannernan was a lawyer, appointed to serve as the first Chairman of the Trade Practices Commission in October 1974. Prior to that he was the Commissioner of Trade Practices from 1966 until 1974.
Ron was awarded Officer of the Order of Australia in 1985 in 'recognition of service to the Public Service, particularly as Commissioner of Trade Practices and Chairman of the Trade Parctices Commission'
Past commissioners
For a list of past chairs, deputy chairs and commissioners see: