The Australian Department of the Treasury has released draft regulations that would expand and clarify how the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission can serve documents and compulsory notices on persons in Australia and overseas. The changes are intended to support the ACCC’s information gathering, merger review, market inquiry and enforcement functions, particularly where foreign entities hold relevant information or lack an Australian address. The proposed rules would permit service through physical or electronic addresses provided to the ACCC or another Commonwealth agency within the previous 24 months, as well as through an Australian based agent. For companies, documents could also be served on specified senior officers or sent to registered offices and principal places of business in Australia or overseas, including those of a related body corporate in Australia. Separate provisions would clarify service on partnerships, trusts, managed investment schemes and unincorporated bodies through designated members or representatives. The amendments would apply to documents served from the day after the final regulations are registered, including documents connected with proceedings or matters that began before commencement.
2026-09-09Department of Treasury (Australia)
Australian Department of the Treasury consults on expanded ACCC document service rules for domestic and overseas recipients
The Australian Department of the Treasury is consulting on draft rules that would broaden how the ACCC can serve documents on domestic and overseas recipients. The proposals cover electronic and physical addresses, Australian based agents, senior corporate officers, related bodies corporate and representatives of noncorporate entities. They would apply from the day after the final regulations are registered, including to existing matters.