What it means
Bait advertising is prohibited under the Australian Consumer Law. It occurs when a business advertises goods or services at a special price but does not have reasonable quantities available for a reasonable period, given the nature of the offer and the advertisement. The rule prevents traders from luring customers with deals they cannot honour. If limited stock is genuinely available, the advertisement must make that clear. The ACCC enforces these provisions.
How it's used
Promoting '50 TVs at half price' but stocking only two, with no disclosure, is unlawful bait advertising.