<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Australians could soon be freed from the pain of hidden transaction fees or being caught in subscription fees under new draft laws released by the </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/government" rel="" target="" title="federal government"><span>federal government</span></a><span> today.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The proposed legislation would force </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/business" rel="" target="_blank" title="businesses"><span>businesses</span></a><span> to provide clear and easy ways for customers to cancel their subscriptions, and clearly disclose any transaction fees, rather than hiding them until online shoppers get to the checkout.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The draft laws would outlaw harmful business conduct that unreasonably manipulates or distorts consumer decision-making," Assistant Competition and Treasury Minister Andrew Leigh said.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/israeli-president-visit-to-australia-huge-protests-expected/40b56f1b-3d34-4f03-bf25-282d4937abb0" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Snipers stationed on hotel rooftop during Israeli president's visit</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Too many Australians have clicked 'buy' only to discover extra charges at the final screen, or found themselves locked into subscriptions that are far easier to start than to stop."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Leigh said companies would need to alert customers at key points during subscriptions, notifying them about upcoming payments.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The government first flagged the </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/dynamic-pricing-hidden-surcharges-to-be-banned-australia/84e19619-9d02-48ae-96be-9039bebc1bc9" rel="" target="" title='introduction of new laws to tackle "rip-offs from unfair trading practices" in 2024'><span>introduction of new laws to tackle "rip-offs from unfair trading practices" in 2024</span></a><span>.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/australia-subscription-traps-hidden-fees-laws/b699a973-4d99-419a-b65c-8b53bd4cce2f" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>However, the original 2024 announcement also flagged upcoming changes to combat dynamic pricing, which occurs when a price changes during the transaction process.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Dynamic pricing was a hot topic at the time, with concertgoers wishing to go to a Green Day concert forced to pay up to $500 for tickets, while prices for sporting events like the Australian Open and Australian Grand Prix were also affected.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The new laws announced today make no mention of dynamic pricing.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/cyclone-mitchell-forecast-campsite-mines-evacuated-as-cyclone-approaches-coast/dc27c584-7921-45ef-a0fa-e010244f5868" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>'Too late to leave' as Cyclone Mitchell threatens lives, homes</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Nine.com.au has contacted Leigh's office for comment on dynamic pricing.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He also said regulators would have more authority to protect customers and enforce the new laws.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The measures, which have been planned in collaboration with state governments, will help Australians' hip pockets, Leigh said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/airasia-flight-forced-to-make-landing-in-brisbane-between-sydney-and-kuala-lumpur/19c0574b-1da9-406c-b395-dc7cfcb6a719" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Plane forced to land in Brisbane after cabin pressure alert</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"With </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/cost-of-living" rel="" target="_blank" title="cost-of-living"><span>cost-of-living</span></a><span> pressures front of mind, the government is acting to ensure the price consumers see is the price they pay," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Stronger competition is essential to easing cost-of-living pressures."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><strong><span>NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></strong></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><p><em><strong><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727"><em><strong><span>Apple</span></strong></em></a><span> </span><em><strong><span>and</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1"><em><strong><span>Google Play</span></strong></em></a></p></li><li><p><em><strong><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w"><em><strong><span>ticking this box here</span></strong></em></a></p></li><li><p><em><strong><span>Sign up to</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine"><em><strong><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></strong></em></a></p></li></ul></div></div>