Unconscionable conduct is a staement or action so unreasonable it defies good conscience.  A business must not act unconscionably when:

• selling or supplying goods or services to a consumer; or,
• supplying or acquiring goods or services to or from a small business.

Examples of unconscionable conduct by a trader can, depending on the circumstances, include:

• not properly explaining the conditions of a contract to a person they know does not speak English or has a learning disability;
• not allowing sufficient time to read an agreement, ask questions or get advice;
• using a friend or relative of the customer to influence the customer's decision;
• getting a person to sign a blank or one-sided contract;
• taking advantage of a low income consumer by making false statements about the real cost of a loan;
• failing to disclose key contractual terms; or,
• using high pressure tactics, such as refusing to take 'no' for an answer.

There is a maximum civil penalty of $220,000 for an individual and $1.1 million for a body corporate.