Brisbane Bylaws: Report Telemarketing Scams & Unfair Business

Business and Consumer Protection Queensland 4 Minutes Read · published February 11, 2026 Flag of Queensland

Brisbane, Queensland residents and businesses should know where to report unwanted telemarketing calls, scams and unfair business conduct. Complaints about telemarketing and Do Not Call Register breaches are handled by federal regulators, while unfair trading practices are investigated by Queensland Fair Trading and consumer protection agencies. Use the official complaint portals below to report incidents, preserve records of calls and messages, and follow the steps to seek enforcement or remedies. Links to official reporting tools appear where relevant.

Penalties & Enforcement

Responsibility for telemarketing and scam enforcement is shared. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) administers the Do Not Call Register and telemarketing rules; use its official Do Not Call resources to check obligations and report breaches: Do Not Call Register[1]. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) runs Scamwatch and collects reports of scams and unfair conduct: Report a scam[2]. Queensland Office of Fair Trading investigates unfair business practices and consumer complaints in Queensland: Queensland Fair Trading[3].

Report scams promptly and keep call records and screenshots as evidence.

Fine amounts and specific penalty figures vary by instrument and are often set at federal or state level or in civil remedies; if a specific monetary penalty is required for a particular breach it will appear on the enforcing agency's page or legislation. Where an exact fine or infringement amount is not listed on the cited agency page, it is noted below as not specified on the cited page.

  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page for municipal-level action; federal or state legislation and enforcement pages list monetary penalties where applicable.
  • Escalation: enforcement may begin with warnings or infringement notices, escalating to civil penalties or court action for repeated or serious breaches; specific escalation ranges are not specified on the cited pages.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: regulators can issue compliance notices, directions to cease conduct, injunctions and require corrective publicity; courts may order remedies.
  • Enforcers and complaint pathways: ACMA, ACCC (Scamwatch) and Queensland Office of Fair Trading accept reports via their official online complaint pages cited above.
  • Appeals and review: review or appeal rights depend on the agency and instrument; time limits and procedures for merits review or judicial review are specified in the relevant legislation or agency guidance and are not specified on the cited summary pages.
  • Defences and discretion: lawful exemptions (for example, consent or exemption under telemarketing rules) and reasonable excuses may apply; check the regulator guidance for permitted conduct.

Applications & Forms

Where to report or apply:

  • ACMA Do Not Call guidance and complaint resources — use the ACMA online pages to report telemarketing breaches and to check obligations; the cited page provides complaint pathways but does not list a numbered application form.
  • ACCC Scamwatch report form — Scamwatch offers an online "Report a scam" form to submit details; the site gives fields for incident details rather than a numbered statutory form.
  • Queensland Office of Fair Trading complaint form — use the QLD Fair Trading online complaint or enquiry forms for unfair business practices; specific form numbers are not shown on the cited summary page.

Common Violations

  • Calls despite registration on the Do Not Call Register.
  • Misleading or deceptive conduct in sales calls, or false claims about affiliation with government bodies.
  • Unfair contract terms or pressure selling practices pushed by telemarketers.
  • Failure to provide accurate contact details or opt-out mechanisms during calls.
Keep call logs, numbers and timestamps to support your complaint.

Action Steps

  • Register your number on the Do Not Call Register and verify the caller's compliance history where possible.
  • Preserve evidence: save voicemails, screenshots, call logs and any written communications.
  • Submit a report via Scamwatch and ACMA complaint pages (use the links above) and include all evidence and dates.
  • Contact Queensland Fair Trading for consumer law breaches affecting Brisbane residents or businesses.
If the scam involves financial loss, also contact your bank or payment provider immediately.

FAQ

How do I stop telemarketing calls to my Brisbane number?
Register the number on the Do Not Call Register and report breaches to the ACMA using the Do Not Call resources referenced above.
Who investigates misleading sales from telemarketers in Queensland?
Queensland Office of Fair Trading handles unfair business conduct complaints in Queensland while Scamwatch collects scam reports and ACMA enforces telemarketing rules.
What evidence should I include when I report a telemarketing scam?
Include call timestamps, caller numbers, recordings or voicemails, screenshots of messages and any contracts or payment records.

How-To

  1. Record the date, time and caller ID for every unwanted call and save any messages or screenshots.
  2. Check whether your number is on the Do Not Call Register and note whether the caller claimed an exemption.
  3. Report the incident to Scamwatch using the online "Report a scam" form and attach your evidence.
  4. If the call breaches telemarketing rules, lodge a complaint with ACMA via its Do Not Call pages.
  5. If the business conduct appears unlawful or you seek remedy under Queensland consumer law, contact Queensland Office of Fair Trading to lodge a complaint.

Key Takeaways

  • Use official complaint portals to maximise enforcement outcomes and preserve evidence.
  • ACMA, ACCC (Scamwatch) and Queensland Fair Trading are the primary channels for reporting telemarketing scams affecting Brisbane residents.

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