RCSA breakfast: ACCC to explore job ads standards

Misleading Advertisingówho is responsibleÖ the recruiter, the advertiser or the publisher?

These questions will be addressed by Alan Ducret, Regional Director of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission at an RCSA breakfast in Brisbane on Friday 4 August.

ìAppropriate advertising lies at the heart of recruitersí businesses, and it is essential that they get this right, otherwise they may be liable for fines,î said Julie Mills CEO of the RCSA.

ìThe issue of who is responsible for a misleading job advertisement is murky, as it can involve the company seeking a new recruit, the recruitment firm and the publisher. Therefore it is essential that recruiters and suppliers of advertising services as well as those who publish the advertisements understand the issue properly,î she said.

In November 2005, the ACCC published a report, Misleading Job & Business Opportunity Ads: How to Handle Them, and Mr Ducret will be directly addressing concerns and questions from this report at the breakfast.

As misleading job and business opportunity advertisements cause job seekers a great deal of hardship and difficulty, they carry heavy penalties under the Trade Practices Act 1974 (the Act), ranging up to $1.1 million for the most serious breaches.

The ACCC report explains the key requirements under the Act clearly and concisely, provides a checklist to which staff can refer when assessing advertisements, as well as a list of contacts who can assist.

Mr Ducret was actively involved in the process of the RCSA Code for Professional Practice authorisation, giving him an in-depth knowledge of the recruitment and on hire industry.

To view the report or to register for this breakfast, visit www.rcsa.com.au.