Consumer Affairs Victoria conducts research into a wide range of consumer and business-related issues. 

Recent research papers

Consumer policy

Pre-2011 research papers

For a copy of any research paper listed below, please contact us and advise of any accessibility requirements you may have.

Consumer policy

  • Consumer Confidence and Market Experience Study (2008)  
  • Institutional arrangements for consumer protection agencies (2008)  
  • Consumer detriment in Victoria: a survey of its nature, costs and implications (2006) | IPSOS Consumer Detriment Survey (2006) 
  • Consumer Advocacy in Victoria (2006) 
  • Designing Quality Rating Schemes for Service Providers (2006)    
  • Social Marketing and Consumer Policy (2006)      
  • Information Provision and Education Strategies (2006)  
  • What do we mean by 'vulnerable' and 'disadvantaged' consumers? (2004)  
  • Consumer Education in Schools: Background report (2003) 

Credit

  • Regulating the cost of credit (March 2006)

Research papers on credit issues funded by the Consumer Credit Fund 

  • A Report on Unsolicited Credit Card Limit Increase Offers (2009)  
  • Business Purpose Declarations and the Limits of Formal Statements of Purpose (2008) Monash University   
  • Exploring a Prohibition on Unfair Contract Terms in Consumer Credit Contracts (2008) Monash University  
  • What can a Lender Learn from a Loan Application? Asset-Based Lending on the Security of the Family Home as Unconscionable Dealing (2008) Monash University  
  • When are Lenders Tainted by the Fraud of a Finance Broker? (2008) Monash University  
  • Money, Dignity and Inclusion: The role of financial capability (2008) Good Shepherd Youth & Family Service  
  • Small Amount Lending Inquiry (2008)  
  • Credit Preferences and Credit Traps for Older People (2007) COAG   
  • The Impact of Credit Card Advertising on Consumer Decision-Making and Behaviour (2007)  
  • A Loan in Lease Clothing: Problems identified with instalment based rent/purchase contracts for household goods (2007)  
  • Payday loans: Helping hand or quicksand? Examining the growth of high-cost short-term lending in Australia (2002)  
  • Attitudes to Credit and Debt of Non-English Speaking Background Groups in Victoria (1998) 

Business licensing and regulation

  • Better Business Regulation (2008)  
  • A framework for considering the use of occupational licensing (2007)  
  • Choosing between general and specific regulation (2006)  
  • Using licensing to protect consumers' interests (2006)  
  • Stopping Rogue Traders (2006) 

Digital communications

Dispute resolution

  • Alternative Dispute Resolution in Victoria: Supply-Side Research Project (2007) 
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution Supplier Survey 2006 (2007)  
  • Dispute Resolution in Victoria - Community Survey (2007)  
  • Dispute Resolution in Victoria - Small Business Survey (2007)

Estate agents

  • Residential Property Advertising in Victoria (June 2008) (PDF, 5.2MB)

Fundraising

  •  Review of Fundraising Appeals Act 1998 discussion paper (July 2004) 

Funeral providers

  • Victorian Government Response - Inquiry into the Regulation of the Funeral Industry (May 2006) 

Incorporated associations

  • Associations Incorporation Act Review - Interim report (2005)  
  • Review of the Associations Incorporation Act 1981 (2004) 

Motor car traders

  •  Motor Car Traders Act consultations report (2004) 

National law reform

  •  A new approach to consumer policy strategy 2010-2012 - Ministerial Council on Consumer Affairs (2009) 

Reducing the Regulatory Burden Initiative

  • Changes to information obligations for Second-Hand Dealers and Pawnbrokers and Motor Car Dealers - Standard Cost Model Report (2009)  
  • Conveyancer Act 2006 - Standard Cost Model Report (2009) Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu  
  • Conveyancer Act 2006 - Standard Cost Model Report (2009) VCEC Assessment Letter  
  • Motor Car Traders (Amendment) Regulations 2006 - Standard Cost Model Report (2007) 

Retirement villages

  • Review of the Retirement Villages Act 1986: Proposed Legislative Changes (2004) 

Sex work

  • Working in Victorian Brothels: An independent report commissioned by Consumer Affairs Victoria into the Victorian brothel sector (2009)  
  • Government Response to the PCAMAC report (2008) 

Government response to "Improving the Regulation of the Sex Industry and Supporting Sex Workers Who Want to Move On" 

  • Improving the Regulation of the Sex Industry and Supporting Sex Workers Who Want to Move On (2007) 

Prostitution Control Act Ministerial Advisory Committee (PCAMAC) report 

Shopping and trading

  • Options for fair early termination fees in consumer contracts (2010)  
  • Credence attributes: Making honesty the best policy (2010)  
  • Cooling-off periods in Victoria: their use, nature, cost and implications (2009)  
  • National Baseline Study on Warranties and Refunds - National Education and Information Advisory Taskforce (NEIAT) (2009)  
  • Warranties and Refunds in the electronic goods, white goods and mobile telephone industries (2009) 
  • Unfair contract terms in Victoria: Research into their extent, nature, cost and implications (2007) 
  • Unfair Contract Terms (2004). Released by the Standing Committee of Officials of Consumer Affairs Unfair Contract Terms Working Party chaired by Victoria and Queensland

Last updated: 26/04/2012

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