Debt collectors act like they’re untouchable — like there’s nothing you can do when they come calling. But the debt collector penalties in Australia tell a very different story. Under the Australian Consumer Law, companies found engaging in harassment, coercion, or misleading conduct face fines of up to $10 million. And that’s just the starting point.

The Penalties Debt Collectors Don’t Want You Knowing About

The maximum penalty under the Australian Consumer Law is $10 million, or three times the benefit the company received, or 10% of their entire annual turnover — whichever is greater. For individual debt collectors, penalties can reach $500,000 under the ACL and over $1 million under the ASIC Act.

But fines are only the beginning. Courts can also order injunctions stopping the conduct, compensation to victims, corrective advertising, and even banning company directors from managing corporations entirely.

Real Cases, Real Consequences

These aren’t theoretical threats. In ACCC v Excite Mobile, the court imposed $555,000 in penalties and banned directors. In ACCC v Esanda, injunctions and costs were ordered. In Collection House v Taylor, the court ordered a full refund of every cent collected.

The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) also provides a pathway for consumers to lodge complaints about debt collector misconduct, adding another layer of accountability.

Every Call, Text, and Letter Is Evidence

Every call that breaks the rules, every threatening text message, every misleading letter — that’s evidence. The power isn’t with the debt collectors. The law is firmly on your side. You just need to know it exists and have the right people in your corner.

MyCRA Lawyers has been doing this for 16 years, with a 91.6% audited success rate. If a debt collector or creditor has crossed the line, there are real legal consequences — and real remedies available to you.

The bottom line: debt collectors face massive penalties for misconduct under Australian law. If you’ve been harassed, threatened, or misled, start keeping records — because the law is on your side, not theirs.