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Course Outline

LAW312 Competition and Consumer Law

Course Coordinator:Ashley Pearson (apearson@usc.edu.au) School:School of Law and Society

2026Semester 2

UniSC Sunshine Coast

 Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Please go to unisc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

The course introduces principles of competition and consumer law which is vital for local, national and global commercial legal practice. The course considers the regulatory structure and economic concepts underlying competition regulation and includes examining the regulation of cartels and other horizontal arrangements, misuse of market power, exclusive dealing, resale price maintenance, mergers and acquisitions and access regimes. It also considers consumer protection provisions such as misleading and deceptive conduct, unconscionability, consumer guarantees and manufacturer's liability.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Asynchronous online materials will be provided for Weeks 1-13. 1hr Week 1 13 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – On campus workshop - weeks 1-13. Workshops will work through the course content with a range of activities and seminar-style discussion. 2hrs Week 1 13 times

Course Topics

Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth)

Regulation of cartels and other horizontal arrangements

Misuse of market power, exclusive dealing, resale price maintenance, mergers and acquisitions

Misleading and deceptive conduct

Unconscionability

Consumer guarantees

Manufacturer's liability

What level is this course?

300 Level (Graduate)

Demonstrating coherence and breadth or depth of knowledge and skills. Independent application of knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts. Meeting professional requirements and AQF descriptors for the degree. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory or developing knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally undertaken in the third or fourth full-time study year of an undergraduate program.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Apply complex knowledge and critical understanding of the principles of Australian competition and consumer law in a broad range of legal contexts. Knowledgeable
2 Apply critical thinking and analysis to identify and generate appropriate responses to problems related to the regulation of markets and protection of consumers. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
3 Engage in critical analysis and demonstrate the ability to think creatively in evaluating legal and policy issues in relation to competition law. Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
4 Exercise written communication and drafting skills that are effective, appropriate and persuasive in legal and commercial contexts. Empowered

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

LAW204 or BUS203 and enrolled in any Law Program or Business Programs

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

Microcredential Information

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

A formative quiz will be available in weeks 3-4 to provide feedback on your understanding of the foundational concepts for the course.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Essay Individual 30% 
1500 words
 Week 6 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 2 Written Piece Individual 40% 
2000 words
 Week 10 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 3 Report Individual 30% 
1500 words
 Week 13 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1:Competition Law Essay
Goal: 
The goal of the Competition Law Critical Essay is for you to demonstrate your understanding of the principles underlying Competition law by a critical analysis of a contemporary issue.
Product: Essay
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
This is a 1500-word individual written assignment. The assignment requires students to select and respond to one (1) essay question. Responses should engage in research on the topic chosen and provide a critical analysis of the issues that it raises. Essays should be formatted with a clear introduction (including a strong thesis), a number of well-supported arguments that establish the thesis and a conclusion.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Demonstration of understanding of the concepts and principles underlying competition law, as evidenced by accurate articulation and analysis of the issues examined.
 1
2 
Ability to engage in critical analysis and think creatively in constructing persuasive arguments, as demonstrated by the development of a strong thesis, clear development of arguments in support of that thesis, and persuasive presentation of material
 2 3
3 
Demonstrate requisite academic communication skills, clear articulation of thesis, logical structure and grounding of arguments, appropriate conclusions, accuracy of citations and academic referencing and use of appropriate & persuasive expression.
 4
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Problem solving, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 2:Competition Law Written Hypothetical Assignment
Goal: 
The goal of the Competition Law Written Hypothetical Assignment is for you to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of Competition Law by correctly identifying the legal issues and applying the relevant legal principles to given hypothetical case scenarios.
Product: Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
This is a 2000-word individual written assignment. The assignment involves preparing details responses to a number of hypothetical fact scenarios. Details of the assignment will be provided by the end of week 3.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Demonstration of knowledge of the law, as evidenced by accurate statement of relevant legal principles
 1
2 
Demonstration of understanding of the law and critical thinking, as evidenced by cogent and coherent analysis of the law.
 2 3
3 
Demonstrate requisite academic communication skills, as evidenced by logical structure of arguments, appropriateness of conclusions, accuracy of citations (legal referencing) and academic referencing and use of accurate and appropriate expression
 4
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Problem solving, Organisation, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 3:Consumer Law Written Report
Goal: 
The goal of the Consumer Law Written Report is for you to apply your research and writing skills to communicate your understanding of a current issue in consumer law, and your ability to analyse and critique the topic utilising a range of primary and secondary sources.
Product: Report
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
This is a 1500-word individual written assignment. The report must address a current issue in consumer law. You will be provided with a topic and the details of the assignment by the end of Week 8.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Demonstration of knowledge of the law, as evidenced by accurate statement of relevant legal principles
 1
2 
Demonstration of understanding of the law and ability to apply it, as evidenced by cogent and coherent analysis of law, policy and commercial issues.
 2 3
3 
Demonstration of requisite academic communication skills, as evidenced by logical structure of arguments, appropriateness of conclusions, accuracy of citations (legal referencing) & academic referencing & use of accurate and appropriate expression.
 4
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Problem solving, Information literacy

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

You need regular access to the resource(s) below. Many texts are available as ebooks through the Library at no additional cost.

Required? Author Year Title Edition Publisher
Required Alex Bruce 2021 AUSTRALIAN COMPETITION LAW 4th Edition Lexis Nexis

Specific requirements

N/A

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying: The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4% The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct.

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submission of assessment tasks may be penalised at the following maximum rate: - 5% (of the assessment task's identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. - 10% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the third day - 20% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. - A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

  • In person:
    • UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
    • UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
    • UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
    • UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
    • UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
    • UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
  • Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
  • Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au
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