Research studies Skip listen and sharing tools Listen Consumer Affairs Victoria conducts research into a wide range of consumer and business-related issues. Some of these files may not be suitable for users of assistive technology. To request a different format, please contact us. Building Domestic Building Dispute Resolution Victoria: demand estimates and dispute experiences (2016) Hall & Partners OpenMind (PDF, 4.2MB) Business licensing and regulation Better business regulation (2008) (PDF, 288KB) A framework for considering the use of occupational licensing (2007) (PDF, 4.2MB) Choosing between general and specific regulation (2006) (PDF, 173KB) Using licensing to protect consumers' interests (2006) (PDF, 229KB) Stopping rogue traders (2006) (PDF, 239KB) Consumer policy Consumer confidence and market experience study (2010-2011) (Word, 211KB) Consumer outlook: the baby-boomer generation's implications for consumer policy (2012) (Word, 196KB) Consumer outlook: understanding and planning for consumers' risk perceptions of new technologies: nanotechnology (2012) (Word, 524KB) Mandatory disclosure of information: costs and benefits of mandatory information policies to influence consumer choice (2012) (Word, 284KB) Consumer confidence and market experience study (2008) (PDF, 201KB) Institutional arrangements for consumer protection agencies (2008) (PDF, 971KB) Consumer detriment in Victoria: a survey of its nature, costs and implications (2006) (PDF, 188KB) | IPSOS consumer detriment survey (2006) (PDF, 906KB) Consumer advocacy in Victoria (2006) (PDF, 353KB) Designing quality rating schemes for service providers (2006) (PDF, 202KB) Social marketing and consumer policy (2006) (PDF, 194KB) Information provision and education strategies (2006) (PDF, 194KB) What do we mean by 'vulnerable' and 'disadvantaged' consumers? (2004) (PDF, 439KB) Consumer education in schools: background report (2003) (PDF, 473KB) Credit Regulating the cost of credit (March 2006) (PDF, 196KB) Research papers on credit issues funded by the Consumer Credit Fund A report on unsolicited credit card limit increase offers (2009) (PDF, 1.2MB) Business purpose declarations and the limits of formal statements of purpose (2008) Monash University (Word, 104KB) Exploring a prohibition on unfair contract terms in consumer credit contracts (2008) Monash University (Word, 161KB) What can a lender learn from a loan application? Asset-based lending on the security of the family home as unconscionable dealing (2008) Monash University (Word, 154KB). When are lenders tainted by the fraud of a finance broker? (2008) Monash University (Word, 100KB) Money, dignity and inclusion: the role of financial capability (2008) Good Shepherd Youth & Family Service (PDF, 2.8MB) Small amount lending inquiry (2008) (PDF, 1.1MB) Credit preferences and credit traps for older people (2007) COAG (Word, 806KB) The impact of credit card advertising on consumer decision-making and behaviour (2007) (PDF, 465KB) A loan in lease clothing: problems identified with instalment based rent/purchase contracts for household goods (2007) (PDF, 348KB) Payday loans: helping hand or quicksand? Examining the growth of high-cost short-term lending in Australia (2002) (PDF, 2.3MB) Attitudes to credit and debt of non-English speaking background groups in Victoria (1998) (Word, 320KB) Digital economy Mobile commerce: opportunities and challenges for consumers, businesses and regulators (2010) (Word, 3.4MB) Digital TV switchover information paper (2007) (PDF, 64KB) Considering the implications of m-commerce - a consumer perspective (2004) (PDF, 1MB) Online shopping and consumer protection discussion paper (2004) (PDF, 714KB) E-commerce and the consumer credit code (2003) (PDF, 141KB) M-commerce (2002) (PDF, 174KB) Web seals of approval (2002) (PDF, 205KB) Dispute resolution Alternative dispute resolution in Victoria: supply-side research project (2007) (PDF, 3.8MB) Alternative dispute resolution supplier survey 2006 (2007) (PDF, 3.3MB) Dispute resolution in Victoria - community survey (2007) (PDF, 3.4MB) Dispute resolution in Victoria - small business survey (2007) (PDF, 2.7MB) Estate agents Residential property advertising in Victoria (June 2008) (PDF, 5.3MB) Fair trading Options for fair early termination fees in consumer contracts (2010) (PDF, 702KB) Credence attributes: making honesty the best policy (2010) (PDF, 1.5MB) Cooling-off periods in Victoria: their use, nature, cost and implications (2009) (PDF, 854KB) National baseline study on warranties and refunds - National Education and Information Advisory Taskforce (NEIAT) (2009) (PDF, 4.7MB) Unfair contract terms in Victoria: research into their extent, nature, cost and implications (2007) (PDF, 295KB) Unfair contract terms (2004) (PDF, 2.2MB) Released by the Standing Committee of Officials of Consumer Affairs Unfair Contract Terms Working Party chaired by Victoria and Queensland. Fundraising Review of Fundraising Appeals Act 1998 discussion paper (July 2004) (PDF, 787KB) Funeral providers Victorian government response - inquiry into the regulation of the funeral industry (May 2006) (PDF, 67KB) Incorporated associations Associations Incorporation Act 1891 review - interim report (2005) (PDF, 302KB) Review of the Associations Incorporation Act 1981 (2004) (PDF, 194KB) National law reform A new approach to consumer policy strategy 2010-2012 - Ministerial Council on Consumer Affairs (2009) (PDF, 947KB) Reducing the Regulatory Burden Initiative Changes to information obligations for second-hand dealers and pawnbrokers and motor car dealers - standard cost model report (2009) (Word, 665KB) Conveyancer Act 2006 - standard cost model report (2009) Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (PDF, 232KB) Conveyancer Act 2006 - standard cost model report (2009) VCEC assessment letter (PDF, 346KB) Motor Car Traders (Amendment) Regulations 2006 - standard cost model report (2007) (PDF, 584KB) Residential tenancies Residential tenancy matters to CAV (PDF, 86KB) Retirement villages Review of the Retirement Villages Act 1986: proposed legislative changes (2004) (PDF, 773KB) Sex work Working in Victorian brothels: an independent report commissioned by Consumer Affairs Victoria into the Victorian brothel sector (2009) (PDF, 724KB) Government response to the PCAMAC report (2008) (PDF, 157KB) Government response to 'Improving the regulation of the sex industry and supporting sex workers who want to move on' Improving the regulation of the sex industry and supporting sex workers who want to move on (2007) (PDF, 545KB) Prostitution Control Act Ministerial Advisory Committee (PCAMAC) report