What the ACCC does

  • We regulate the interstate and Hunter Valley rail networks through an access undertaking.
  • We track the prices, costs and profits of container stevedores in Australia and report to the Minister each year.
  • We monitor port terminal service providers’ compliance with the wheat port code. We can also exempt port terminal service providers from having to comply with certain parts of the code.
  • We produce monitoring reports that analyse bulk grain exports and examine industry matters.

What the ACCC can't do

  • We don’t set the prices or provide access to the rail network.
  • We don’t set technical standards for the rail industry.
  • We don’t direct the Australian Rail Track Corporation.
  • We don’t regulate prices in the container freight industry.
  • We don’t regulate the entire bulk grain export supply chain. The wheat port code is focused on port access only.

Bulk grain ports and wheat exports

The wheat port code regulates the conduct of port terminal service providers. It seeks to ensure that exporters of bulk wheat have fair and transparent access to port terminal services.
An exemption allows a port terminal service provider to not have to comply with Parts 3 to 6 of the wheat port code.
Following a decision to reduce the level of regulation at some of Australia’s bulk grain export facilities, the ACCC committed to monitoring the effects of deregulation in the industry.
The wheat port code began in 2014. It replaced the previous legislation and access undertaking rules. The ACCC provided 2 submissions to the review by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources in 2017 and 2018.

Rail

The ACCC has a role in regulating some rail networks. This includes assessing applications from rail access providers regarding access undertakings for rail track infrastructure.
The ACCC regulates the Australian Rail Track Corporation’s Hunter Valley rail network through a voluntary access undertaking.
The ACCC regulates the Interstate rail network through an access undertaking by infrastructure provider, the Australian Rail Track Corporation.

Stevedoring and cargo shipping

We have a role in monitoring Australia’s container stevedores. Currently, this requires us to monitor prices, costs and profits of container terminal operator companies at the ports of Adelaide, Brisbane, Burnie, Fremantle, Melbourne and Sydney.
The ACCC investigates complaints from parties adversely affected by a shipping conference agreement. We can also start our own investigation into the operation of an agreement.

Infrastructure consultative committee

Images shows water flowing by dam
The Infrastructure Consultative Committee was set up in 2006 to facilitate discussions on the broad issues of infrastructure and infrastructure regulation.

ACCC action in rail, shipping and ports

Australia’s stevedores are charging record high prices and making historic profits despite having significant spare capacity in ports and with their costs and productivity remaining relatively stable in recent years, the ACCC’s Container Stevedoring Monitoring Report 2024-25 shows.
The ACCC will not oppose DP World Australia Limited’s proposed acquisition of Silk Logistics Holdings Limited (ASX:SLH).
The ACCC will not oppose Qube Holdings Limited’s (ASX:QUB) proposed acquisition of Melbourne International RoRo & Auto Terminal Pty Ltd (MIRRAT), after accepting a court-enforceable undertaking to remedy competition concerns.