The Federal Government recently wrapped up a consultation process on supermarket unit pricing. While the topic might sound like a purely consumer issue, it could have very real commercial impacts for businesses supplying into the grocery sector.
On 1 September 2025, Treasury opened consultation on strengthening the Retail Grocery Industry (Unit Pricing) Code of Conduct. Submissions closed just a few weeks later on 19 September 2025, marking the end of a very short opportunity for stakeholders to have their say.
A Quick Recap
Unit pricing is what allows shoppers to compare costs per standard measure (e.g. $/100g or $/litre) across different pack sizes and brands. Since 2009, large supermarkets have been required to display this information to help customers spot value. While compliance has been relatively low-cost and penalties limited, the Government’s review signals that much tighter rules could be on the way.
Why Now?
The ACCC’s recent supermarket inquiry highlighted that while unit pricing helps, there are still gaps. The big concern is shrinkflation—when pack sizes quietly reduce while prices remain the same or higher. With cost-of-living pressures dominating headlines, the Government is looking at clearer, fairer pricing to rebuild consumer trust.
What Might Change?
Proposals considered in the consultation paper include:
- Shrinkflation alerts – supermarkets may need to flag when a product becomes smaller without a matching price cut.
- Clearer displays – larger, more prominent unit prices both in-store and online.
- Wider coverage – expanding the rules beyond major supermarkets to smaller retailers and online sellers.
- Standardised measures – eliminating confusing “per roll” vs “per sheet” comparisons.
- Civil penalties – introducing fines for non-compliance.
The Commercial Impact
For suppliers, packaging decisions could come under closer scrutiny. For retailers, costs might arise from updating shelf labels, software, or e-commerce systems. But there are also opportunities: businesses that embrace transparency could build loyalty and stand out in a competitive market.
What You Should Do
Now that the consultation period has closed, Treasury will consider submissions and the Government is expected to announce its response later this year.
Businesses in food, grocery, and household goods should stay alert—the final shape of the rules could affect pricing, packaging, and compliance obligations across the sector.
Accessing superannuation funds for medical treatment or financial hardship
Superannuation is one of the largest assets for many Australians and offers significant tax advantages, however, strict rules apply to when it can be accessed. While super is most commonly accessed at retirement, death or disability, there are limited situations where earlier access may be possible.
Early access is generally available in two situations:
- Financial hardship – where you are receiving a qualifying Centrelink/DVA payment for a minimum period and cannot meet immediate living expenses.
- Compassionate grounds – Funding for certain specific scenarios which include preventing a mortgage foreclosure or meeting medical expenses for a life-threatening injury or illness or to alleviate severe chronic pain.
Compassionate grounds access requires an application to be made to the ATO which needs to be accompanied by relevant medical certificates or mortgage information. If approved the ATO will provide instructions to the individual’s superannuation fund to release an amount to cover the expense. We have included some ATO links with more detailed information on compassionate grounds and financial hardship below.
When accessing superannuation under compassionate grounds you would usually collect the relevant supporting documentation and personally make the application for approval using your MyGov account. It has come to the ATO’s attention that there may be medical and dental providers exploiting this access and assisting super fund members to access amounts for cosmetic reasons (you may have even seen advertisements pop up on your social media showing people with a new sparkling smile – and a lower super balance).
The ATO’s concerns are discussed in Separating fact from fiction on accessing your super early.
Superannuation fund members and SMSF trustees should be aware that there can be substantial penalties applied when super is accessed outside of the legislated conditions of release. You should never provide another party with access to your MyGov login or allow a third party to make applications on your behalf. Penalties may also apply for making false declarations.
Should you have any questions or concerns relating to proposed access to your superannuation please reach out to us.
Related links
