Mergers and acquisitions are important for building a more productive and dynamic economy. They allow businesses to achieve greater economies of scale, and to access new resources, technology and expertise.

While most mergers are unlikely to raise competition concerns, some can harm competition, allowing businesses to raise prices and not pass economic gains on to consumers. Australia’s merger control system plays a crucial gatekeeper role in focusing on the small number of mergers that could substantially lessen competition, harming consumers and the wider economy. Discouraging such mergers, and stopping those that try to proceed, is crucial for maintaining downward pressure on the cost of living.

This document outlines the Albanese Government's plans to reform Australia’s merger rules to promote competition, protect consumers and provide greater certainty by streamlining the approvals process. The changes will make our merger approval system faster, stronger, simpler, more targeted and more transparent. The reforms will simplify and speed up the process for mergers, consistent with the national interest, and give the ACCC stronger powers to identify and scrutinise transactions that pose a risk to competition, consumers and the economy. This will mean more clarity and certainty for businesses, and better safeguarding of consumers.

The new merger control system will apply from 1 January 2026.