The consumer watchdog looks set to clear the way for a retail tenancy database.
The Jewellers Association of Australia (JAA) and its current and future members have sought to establish the service.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued a draft determination proposing to grant authorisation.
ACCC Michael Schaper confirmed authorisation for the national leasing database is proposed to be granted for five years.
"The database will provide de-identified information about the terms and conditions of retail leases entered into by members of the JAA. Members can choose to use this information in assessing their current and future lease arrangements.
"Increased access to such information can improve a tenant’s input into contractual negotiations, so that the outcomes of negotiations between landlord and tenant better reflect the commercial interests of tenants.
"Industry associations regularly provide tailored information resources to their members, and the JAA’s proposal seeks to improve the amount of information available to its members."
The JAA is a national not for profit organisation.
Membership is voluntary and members include organisations from the manufacturing, wholesaling, distribution and retail sectors of the jewellery industry.
The JAA estimates that its membership includes more than 75 per cent of the jewellery industry.
Authorisation provides statutory protection from court action for conduct that might otherwise raise concerns under the competition provisions of the Competition and Consumer Act (2010).