Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) has released its regulatory priorities for 2025–26. These outline the key risks and market issues it will target to better protect Victorian consumers and renters.
The priorities reflect emerging concerns, ongoing issues and the increasing pressures faced by many Victorians, particularly in the context of the rising cost of living, natural disasters and post-emergency recovery.
CAV will concentrate its efforts and resources on tackling harmful conduct in sectors that pose the greatest risk, including:
- unsafe and unfair housing for renters and rooming house residents
- high-pressure or exploitative sales, home-building and tradesperson services
- underquoting and trust account breaches by real estate professionals
- unfair practices in motor car trading
- scams and misconduct following disasters and emergencies, such as fake tradies, unregistered fundraisers, and the need for increased access to financial counselling.
While many priorities continue from previous years, CAV has introduced new areas of focus in response to emerging risks, including:
- a zero-tolerance approach to unsafe products, especially those that pose a risk to children
- ensuring fuel retailers provide accurate and timely fuel pricing and reporting
- protecting residents of retirement villages and residential parks from unfair practices.
CAV Director Nicole Rich says the regulatory priorities are aimed at focusing regulatory efforts where they are most needed.
‘Our regulatory priorities ensure Victorians understand what we are seeing in the marketplace and where we will focus our proactive efforts.
‘This does not stop us from responding to new or emerging issues during the year. CAV will always take appropriate action to address harmful conduct or breaches of the laws we administer.
‘Our priorities are informed by reports we’ve received from the public, feedback from stakeholders, market analysis and the experience and intelligence our investigators have gained on the ground.’
To learn more: Regulatory priorities 2025–26