Australia’s Competition Law Reset: What Lawyers Need to Know Now

Australian competition and consumer law is undergoing significant reform, reshaping merger control, corporate penalties, and regulatory enforcement. These developments have important implications for legal practitioners and commercial advisors, influencing transaction structuring, conduct risk assessments, and compliance strategies. This practical webinar examines the reformed Australian competition and consumer law framework, focusing on the mandatory merger notification regime commencing 1 January 2026, increased maximum corporate penalties from March 2026, and the ACCC’s evolving enforcement priorities. Through examples across key industries, participants will explore how these changes affect everyday advisory work and develop practical approaches to managing regulatory risk in an increasingly active enforcement environment.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Major reforms to Australian competition and consumer law

• The mandatory merger notification regime

• Merger control requirements and transaction planning

• Increased maximum corporate penalties

• The ACCC’s evolving enforcement priorities

• Assessing competition and consumer law risks

• Compliance strategies and regulatory exposure

• Competition issues in supermarkets and retail

• Digital platforms and telecommunications

• Energy, aviation, and financial services

• Environmental claims and sustainability

• Implications for corporate advisory work

• Practical approaches to managing enforcement risk