Our main aim with any serious complaint is to stop it happening again.
We may be able to gain an outcome for you, but this is a secondary issue for us.
When a business has broken the law, we can:
- notify them and seek their help to fix the problem
- get the business to follow the law in the future
- formally warn them
- publicly warn consumers not to trade with them
- issue them with a fine
- take the business to court
- seek a court order to ban the business from operating.
When deciding what action to take we consider:
- if the breach was deliberate
- if they tried to fix the problem
- how many consumers were affected
- how long it has been going on for and if it is likely to continue
- if the business has done this before.
Interstate businesses
If a Tasmanian consumer or business has a problem with an item bought in another state or territory, we can:
- tell you whether the business may have acted illegally
- advise whether you can lodge a complaint with us
- attempt to resolve the issue with the business
- refer you to the fair trading agency in the businesses state or territory.
Contact us to if you want to discuss a business issue further.
This page has been produced and published by the Consumer Building and Occupational Services Division of the Department of Justice. Although every care has been taken in production, no responsibility is accepted for the accuracy, completeness, or relevance to the user's purpose of the information. Those using it for whatever purpose are advised to verify it with the relevant government department, local government body or other source and to obtain any appropriate professional advice. The Crown, its officers, employees and agents do not accept liability however arising, including liability for negligence, for any loss resulting from the use of or reliance upon the information and/or reliance on its availability at any time.