Australia: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission closes consultation on draft merger process guidelines

On 28 April 2025, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) closes its consultation on the draft Merger Process Guidelines. The draft outlines procedures under Australia’s forthcoming mandatory merger control regime, applicable to acquisitions that meet specified monetary thresholds or fall within targeted classes. It details steps for pre-notification engagement, formal notification, and a two-phase assessment process, with timelines and information requirements. The guidelines also address voluntary notification, notification waivers, public benefit applications, and remedy procedures, and are intended to structure the implementation of merger control measures within the framework established by the Treasury Laws Amendment (Mergers and Acquisitions Reform) Act 2024.