Compliance · Australia

2026 ACCC penalty changes: verify the applicable contravention

Published on NORMIX: 2026-10-24 · NORMIX

2026 ACCC penalty changes: verify the applicable contravention. In force for relevant conduct from 28 March 2026. Check coverage for each AI use case.

For certain corporate offence and civil-penalty provisions, the fixed component of the maximum penalty increased to AUD 100 million for conduct on or after 28 March 2026. Other statutory calculation limbs and application rules remain relevant. It is inaccurate to say every misleading statement automatically attracts this penalty.

Use-case investigation: identify which claims an AI system drafts or publishes, who verifies them, what evidence supports them and how errors are corrected. Record the relevant prohibition and penalty provision separately. Management reporting should distinguish potential exposure from an actual finding or imposed penalty.