适用范围 - ss 23-28
ENGLISH
The unfair-terms regime applies to a consumer contract or small business contract that is standard form. A small business generally has fewer than 100 employees or annual turnover below $10 million. The court first determines coverage before asking whether the particular term is unfair.
中文解释
不公平条款制度适用于采用standard form的consumer contract或small business contract。Small business通常指员工少于100人或年营业额低于1,000万澳元。法院必须先确定合同受制度覆盖，再判断具体条款是否不公平。
格式合同 - s 27
ENGLISH
Relevant considerations include relative bargaining power, whether one party prepared the contract before discussion, whether it was offered on a take-it-or-leave-it basis, whether there was a real opportunity to negotiate and whether the terms reflect the other party's circumstances. The statutory presumption places pressure on the party asserting that the contract was negotiated.
中文解释
判断因素包括相对议价能力、合同是否在协商前由一方预先拟定、是否只能接受或拒绝、是否存在真实谈判机会以及条款是否考虑对方具体情况。法定推定会使主张合同经过协商的一方承担说明压力。
三要素测试 - s 24
ENGLISH
A term is unfair only if it creates a significant imbalance, is not reasonably necessary to protect the advantaged party's legitimate interests, and would cause financial or non-financial detriment if applied or relied on. All three limbs must be satisfied. The court also considers transparency and the contract as a whole.
中文解释
条款只有同时满足三项条件才构成不公平：造成显著权利义务失衡；并非保护受益方合法利益所合理必要；适用或依赖时会造成金钱或非金钱损害。法院还必须考虑透明度及合同整体。
排除与后果
ENGLISH
Section 26 excludes terms defining the main subject matter, setting the upfront price and terms required or expressly permitted by law. An unfair term is void. Since 9 November 2023, proposing, applying or relying on an unfair term is also prohibited and can attract penalties, compensation and other orders.
中文解释
s 26排除界定合同主要标的、确定预付价格以及法律要求或明确允许的条款。不公平条款本身无效。自2023年11月9日起，提出、适用或依赖不公平条款也属于禁止行为，并可能产生罚款、赔偿及其他命令。