Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) is a Victorian government agency that protects and promotes the interests of consumers and is based in the Australian state of Victoria. CAV is responsible for reviewing and advising the Victorian Government on consumer legislation and industry codes; advising and educating consumers, tenants, traders and landlords on their rights, responsibilities and changes to the law; registering and licensing businesses and occupations; conciliating disputes between consumers and traders, tenants and landlords; and enforcing and ensuring compliance with consumer laws.
Consumer Affairs Victoria provides advice and assistance on matters of renting and accommodation, estate agents, building, shopping, and trading. They also license or register (in conjunction with the Business Licensing Authority) and regulate conveyancers, estate agents, introduction agents, motor car traders, owners corporation managers, prostitution service providers, travel agents, second-hand dealers, and pawnbrokers.
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In 1965, the State Government of Victoria established a Consumer Protection Council, the first government general consumer body established in Australia [1]
The Consumer Protection Council was established essentially to consider issues and to advise the Government. The Council was not formally set up to handle complaints, but this became a dominant part of its work. New legislation also established in 1973 a Ministry of Consumer Affairs. This Ministry was small and was tied to the Department of Labour and Industry. They were then substantially cut by the Kennett Government and the separate Ministry for Consumer Affairs was abolished and absorbed into a new Department of Justice.[1]
The Consumer Affairs Victoria vision is "informed and responsible consumers and traders, who know their rights and responsibilities"[2] The goals are:
A past Director of Consumer Affairs, Dr David Cousins, described the role of Consumer Affairs Victoria thus:
"Consumer Affairs has essentially three key roles. These are firstly to advise the government on the consumer policy framework and to manage the legislative and non-legislative program related to this framework. Secondly, Consumer Affairs is a significant regulator of industry conduct, monitors entry regulation in some industries, and manages guarantee funds covering residential tenancies, property services and motor car trading. Thirdly, Consumer Affairs is a major service provider. Its services include information, advice, education, complaint handling (primarily through the provision of third party conciliation and mediation services) and business registration and licensing services. Consumer Affairs is the initial entry point for all consumer enquiries from across the State..."[1]
Consumer Affairs Victoria is a business unit of the Victorian Department of Justice. The head office of Consumer Affairs Victoria is at 121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne, Victoria.
The agency has a number of locations in Victoria. In the CBD face-to-face services are provided at the Victorian Consumer & Business Centre (VCBC), which was officially opened on August 23, 2006 by the Minister for Small Business, André Haermeyer, and the Minister for Consumer Affairs, Marsha Thomson. The VCBC is located at 113 Exhibition Street, Melbourne, on the corner of Little Collins Street, and is open from 8.30am-5.00pm Monday to Friday. The VCBC is a one-stop-shop for consumers and business operators offers information and advice in a friendly and informal setting. In 2007-08 there were 39,200 counter enquiries at the VCBC[3]
Consumer Affairs Victoria also has regional offices throughout Victoria, with offices in:
The agency has a range of business units:
A particular arrangement is in place with respect of Licensing. Licenses are issued by a separate statutory authority, the Business Licensing Authority.
Consumer Affairs Victoria reports to the Victorian Minister for Consumer Affairs, The Honourable Michael O'Brien MP, through a Director.
The Director of CAV is Dr. Claire Noone, and the Deputy Director is Geoff Browne.[2] The Director of CAV is also an Executive Director in the Department of Justice.[5]
In addition to being an executive in the Department of Justice, the Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria is also an office holder under the Victorian Fair Trading Act 1999. The functions of the Director include the following:
The Council of Australian Governments has agreed to a range of reforms which involve the transfer of responsibilities from State Governments to the Commonwealth government or more harmonised approaches across States and Territory Governments. Those that will impact on the operations of Consumer Affairs Victoria are:
There are a number of related bodies within the Consumer Affairs portfolio, each established under separate legislation, but with administrative support provided by CAV.
The Business Licensing Authority - established under the Business Licensing Act 1998 [8] the BLA is an independent statutory authority that administers licensing, registration and permission processes for certain occupations within Victoria. The BLA works alongside CAV, which undertakes all other aspects of administration of those occupational licensing schemes.
The Consumer Credit Fund Advisory Committee - established under the Consumer Credit (Victoria) Act 1995 [9] the Committee makes recommendations to the Minister for grants from the Fund towards research, education, advice or assistance programs.
The Estate Agents Council - established under the Estate Agents Act 1980 [10] the Council is a ministerial advisory body, that monitors the industry and advises the Minister, in order to promote appropriate standards of conduct and competency in the real estate industry and to protect the interests the public using real estate services.
The Motor Car Traders Claims Committee - established under the Motor Car Traders Act 1986 [11] the Committee is responsible for considering and determining claims for compensation from the Motor Car Traders Guarantee Fund.
The Prostitution Control Act Ministerial Advisory Committee - established under the Prostitution Control Act 1994 [12] the Committee is a ministerial advisory body that advises the Minister on issues relating to the prostitution industry in Victoria.
Residential Tenancies Bond Authority - established under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997[13] the Authority collects, holds and disburses all Victorian residential tenancy bonds. The Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria is the sole member of the RTBA.[14]
The Funeral Industry Ministerial Advisory Council - established under the Funeral Act 2006[15] the Council is a ministerial advisory council that monitors the industry and advises the Minister.