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Competitive neutrality complaints

The Australian Government Competitive Neutrality Complaints Office (AGCNCO) provides independent advice to the Government following its investigation into complaints about unfair competition from government businesses as a result of them not complying with their competitive neutrality obligations.

The Office receives and assesses complaints, proceeds with complaints that warrant investigation and provides independent advice to the Treasurer on each matter. The Government is not obliged to accept this advice.

Read more about the AGCNCO

Current investigations

Australia Post

On 24 February 2022, the AGCNCO received a formal complaint from the Conference of Asia Pacific Express Carriers (Australia) Limited against Australia Post. The complaint alleged that Australia Post is not complying with the Australian Government’s competitive neutrality policy, particularly with regard to regulatory neutrality, debt neutrality and cost attribution. The full complaint is available to download:

The AGCNCO has accepted the complaint and has opened an investigation into Australia Post’s compliance with its competitive neutrality obligations. That investigation will also examine whether Australia Post is facing any significant cost disadvantages arising from government ownership that could offset any competitive advantages of government ownership it might enjoy.

On 23 August 2023, the AGCNCO received a supplementary submission from the complainant. That submission expands on aspects of their initial complaint and responds to matters disclosed to the complainant in April 2023 in a joint submission from the Departments of Finance and of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts.


Interested parties with information relevant to the Australia Post complaint investigation are invited to contact the AGCNCO to discuss that information.

Contact Stewart Plain by phone on 02 6240 3219 or email cnoffice@pc.gov.au for any queries regarding this investigation.

Making a complaint

Any individual, organisation or government body with an interest in the application of competitive neutrality may lodge a complaint, although they are encouraged first to discuss their complaint with AGCNCO staff.

Make a complaint

Completed investigations and research

Competitive neutrality investigations

Competitve neutrality investigation reports provide independent advice to the Government following complaints about unfair competition from the public sector.

Competitive neutrality research

This research intends to improve the understanding of requirements needed to implement competitive neutrality policy, assist Australian Government agencies in meeting their obligations, and indicate factors that will be taken into account in an investigation.