The Australian government is preparing to revise the nation's merger laws, a move that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) believes will align Australia with other developed countries.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers, in a press release, outlined the proposed reforms which aim to enhance the merger approval system. The goal is to make it faster, stronger, simpler, more targeted and transparent. "Competition policy is a growth strategy and reforming our mergers system will benefit businesses as well as consumers and the broader economy," said Chalmers. "We want mergers to drive improvements in productivity, to put downward pressure on prices and to deliver more choice for Australians under the pump with the cost of living."

Chalmers' press release further explains that under the current system, an investigation is initiated when mergers are reported to the ACCC. The proposed reforms would alter this by mandating the commission to review all mergers that pose a threat to competition, consumers, and the economy. Two other significant changes include a unified decision-making process on all mergers and a 30-business day approval process.

ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb emphasised in her statement that "Higher prices, less choice and less innovation can result from weakened competition. Stronger merger laws are critical to ensure anti-competitive mergers do not proceed." She added that these proposed changes are significant and will bolster public confidence in Australia’s competition laws.

According to Chalmers' press release, these proposed reforms were formulated after extensive consultation with industry stakeholders and guidance from the Competition Taskforce expert advisory panel. If approved, they would be implemented starting Jan. 1, 2026.