An individual or organisation that acquires goods or services.

The expression consumer has different meanings in different contexts in the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) (CCA) and in the Australian Consumer Law (ACL). It is defined separately in section 4B of the CCA and in section 3 of the ACL (see Consumer (ACL)). The ACL definition applies in relation to consumer guarantees (sections 51-68, ACL), unsolicited consumer agreements (section 69-95, ACL) and lay-by agreements and consumer transactions (sections 96-103, ACL).

Separately, consumer protection and consumer welfare have different meanings in the CCA and "consumer" has different meanings in the context of "consumer goods" in Part 3-3 and Part 4-3 of the ACL and consumer contracts under section 23 of the ACL.

For detailed guidance, see Practice note, Application of the CCA and ACL to consumers.