Restrictive Trade Practices
Compliance Training
Course Outline
Module 1 – Restrictive trade practices law and you
Participants successfully completing this module should be able to:
- explain what the restrictive trade practices law is
- recognise what you can and cannot do under the law
- list some things to be aware of with respect to the law
- list the 6 ‘Golden Rules.’
Section 1.1 – Welcome
Provides a brief orientation to the topics covered in the module.
Section 1.2 – Restrictive trade practices law
Introduces the Trade Practices Act, what it covers, whom it applies to and its aims.
Section 1.3 – What you can and can’t do
Gives some broad examples of behaviours that are acceptable, and some that are not acceptable under the legislation.
Section 1.4 – Things to be aware of
Outlines a number of important issues to be aware of, including exceptions, special approvals, defences and other actions of the ACCC.
Section 1.5 – Golden rules
Sets out in precise and clear language six ‘golden rules’ of restrictive trade practices law.
Section 1.6 – Summary
Briefly restates the objectives of the module to reinforce learning.
Section 1.7 – Assessment
Provides a concise online assessment comprising multiple choice questions to evaluate participants’ understanding of key concepts of the module.
Module 2 – Price fixing
Participants successfully completing this module should be able to:
- explain what price fixing means
- explain why price fixing is not allowed
- recognise how price fixing can work against you
- identify what you can do within the law to remain competitive.
Section 2.1 – Welcome
Provides a brief orientation to the topics covered in the module.
Section 2.2 – Defining price fixing
Introduces the concept of ‘price fixing’ and when it can occur.
Section 2.3 – Why you cannot price fix
Illustrates with practical scenarios why price fixing is illegal. Also notes that there are exemptions to price fixing restrictions.
Section 2.4 – How price fixing can work against you
Although price fixing (legal and moral implications aside) may look appealing, this section highlights the negative impacts of price fixing that may not otherwise be considered.
Section 2.5 – What you can do within the law
Gives concrete examples of what actions are allowed under the law, such as setting recommended prices and price-matching.
Section 2.6 – Summary
Briefly restates the objectives of the module to reinforce learning.
Section 2.7 – Assessment
Provides a concise online assessment comprising multiple choice questions to evaluate participants’ understanding of key concepts of the module.
Module 3 – Collective and other boycotts
Participants successfully completing this module should be able to:
- explain what a collective boycott is
- explain why you cannot engage in a collective boycott
- recognise what you can do within the law
- describe other prohibited boycotts.
Section 3.1 – Welcome
Provides a brief orientation to the topics covered in the module.
Section 3.2 – Collective boycotts
Explains what boycotts and collective boycotts are and why they must be avoided.
Section 3.3 – Why collective boycotts are illegal
Looks at the reasoning behind prohibiting collective boycotts and why they can lead to reduced competition in the marketplace.
Section 3.4 – What you can do
Explains when it is acceptable under the law to refuse to deal with a contractor or supplier.
Section 3.5 – Other prohibited boycotts
Explains what a secondary boycott is, with examples and why secondary boycotts are also prohibited.
Section 3.6 – Summary
Briefly restates the objectives of the module to reinforce learning.
Section 3.7 – Assessment
Provides a concise online assessment comprising multiple choice questions to evaluate participants’ understanding of key concepts of the module.
Module 4 – Misuse of market power
Participants successfully completing this module should be able to:
- explain what misuse of market power is
- explain why you cannot misuse your market power
- recognise what you can do within the law.
Section 4.1 – Welcome
Provides a brief orientation to the topics covered in the module.
Section 4.2 – What is misuse of market power
Provides a definition of the concept of misuse of market power, explaining how it can operate and whom the laws apply to.
Section 4.3 – Why you cannot misuse market power
Explains why actions falling under the definition of misuse of market power are prohibited and what effect such misuse can have on competition and innovation in the market place.
Section 4.4 – What you can do
Outlines what competitive behaviours are acceptable under the law.
Section 4.5 – Summary
Briefly restates the objectives of the module to reinforce learning.
Section 4.6 – Assessment
Provides a concise online assessment comprising multiple choice questions to evaluate participants’ understanding of key concepts of the module.
Module 5 – Third line forcing
Participants successfully completing this module should be able to:
- explain what third line forcing is
- explain why you cannot engage in third line forcing
- recognise what you can do within the law.
Section 5.1 – Welcome
Provides a brief orientation to the topics covered in the module.
Section 5.2 – Third line forcing
Introduces the concept of ‘third line forcing’ and provides examples of prohibited actions.
Section 5.3 – Why third line forcing is illegal
Explains why the activities prohibited under third line forcing legislation can be detrimental to competition and why they are restricted.
Section 5.4 – What you can do
Provides examples of activities and behaviours that are not prohibited by the Trade Practices Act.
Section 5.5 – Summary
Briefly restates the objectives of the module to reinforce learning.
Section 5.6 – Assessment
Provides a concise online assessment comprising multiple choice questions to evaluate participants’ understanding of key concepts of the module.
Module 6 – Resale price maintenance
Participants successfully completing this module should be able to:
- explain what resale price maintenance is
- explain why you cannot engage in resale price maintenance
- identify what you can do within the law.
Section 6.1 – Welcome
Provides a brief orientation to the topics covered in the module.
Section 6.2 – Resale price maintenance
Introduces and explains the concept of resale price maintenance, outlining several ways in which it can occur.
Section 6.3 – Why resale price maintenance is illegal
Explains why actions that attempt to control a resale price are prohibited.
Section 6.4 – What you can do
Outlines what actions are acceptable under the law with regard to influencing resale prices.
Section 6.5 – Summary
Briefly restates the objectives of the module to reinforce learning.
Section 6.6 – Assessment
Provides a concise online assessment comprising multiple choice questions to evaluate participants’ understanding of key concepts of the module.
Module 7 – Conduct that substantially lessens competition
Participants successfully completing this module should be able to:
- describe the types of business conduct that could substantially lessen competition
- describe forms of exclusive dealing (other than third line forcing)
- indicate why business acquisitions may reduce competition.
Section 7.1 – Welcome
Provides a brief orientation to the topics covered in the module.
Section 7.2 – Deals with competitors
This sections explains why deals with competitors that substantially reduce competition in a market are prohibited, and provides examples of such deals.
Section 7.3 – Exclusive dealing
Explains what ‘exclusive dealing is’, providing examples and guidance on how to avoid problems arising from exclusive deals.
Section 7.4 – Business acquisitions
In cases where an acquiring or merging with another business or company would have the effect of substantially reducing competition in a market, it may be illegal to do so.
Section 7.5 – Summary
Briefly restates the objectives of the module to reinforce learning.
Section 7.6 – Assessment
Provides a concise online assessment comprising multiple choice questions to evaluate participants’ understanding of key concepts of the module.
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Restrictive Trade Practices Compliance Training Course Outline