consumer rights
Why non-disclosure agreements fly in the face of consumer law
Businesses that make you sign an NDA to exercise your consumer rights are making up their own rules.
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Scams Awareness Week
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How to check if a text or email is a scam
Received a message that looks a bit suspicious? Here's how to verify if it's authentic or the work of a scammer. -
Banks announce new anti-scam initiatives
The long overdue measures are a good first step, but there’s more to do to protect Australians from scams. -
Five steps to take if you've been scammed
Think you might've fallen foul of a scam? Find out how to report and limit your losses. -
Scams are surging – CHOICE calls on banks to do more
We're fighting for stronger regulations to protect Australians from increasing instances of fraud. -
How to avoid and report impersonation scams
Scams Awareness Week is here and this year we're giving you advice on how to spot and report impersonation scams.
Get expert advice and tips to help you spot and avoid the latest scams.
Stay informed
on scams, recalls and rip-offs
Take action
Let’s make unfair illegal
Dodgy businesses are exploiting a gap in Australia's consumer laws to trick, trap, pressure and exploit people with all kinds of unfair business practices. It’s clear some businesses won’t treat consumers fairly unless forced to, so it’s time to make unfair illegal. Sign the petition calling for strong new fairness laws now.
Latest stories
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29 Nov 2023
The unfair business practices that should really be illegal
CHOICE is calling for new laws to protect Australians from a wide range of dodgy tactics. -
28 Nov 2023
Portable air conditioners to avoid buying
Keep your cool and steer clear of these loud and lousy units. -
27 Nov 2023
Delayed deliveries – what are your rights?
You ordered something, and you haven’t received it. Here’s what to do. -
24 Nov 2023
Which travel insurers cover you for cruises?
Cruises are officially back on the cards and people are queuing up to get on board. Here's how to make sure you're covered. -
24 Nov 2023
Does travel insurance still cover you if you've had a drink?
Don't get caught out by tricky alcohol exclusions that could void your policy.
Cyber Monday sales
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Best mattresses under $1100
How to save money on buying a new mattress – plus the cheaper options we recommend. -
Washing machines to avoid buying in the Cyber Monday sales
These top loader and front loader models rated lowest in our lab test. Even on sale, they're probably not worth buying. -
Read this before you buy a TV in the Cyber Monday sales
It's the final day of the sales and you might finally be ready to commit to a purchase. But read our expert advice first -
The best stick vacuums on a budget
Looking to shop a bargain in the sales? Savvy shoppers on a budget can spend less and still clean up. -
Best air fryers under $250
The cheapest fry buys that impressed in our expert testing.
Making change together
How you've helped us make things fairer for Australians
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JUNE 2023
Win for victims of financial misconduct
A banking royal commission reform passes after decades of pressure from consumer groups. The compensation scheme of last resort will provide compensation for many victims.
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MAY 2023
Super advocate receives further funding
The government commits an additional five years of funding to continue consumer advocacy in the superannuation sector.
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MAY 2023
Consumer protections from scams
The government commits $86.5 million in funding to combat scams, including the establishment of the National Anti-Scams Centre.
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DEC 2022
ACCC takes action on shonky Bloomex
Following its 2022 Shonky Award, Bloomex is taken to court for publishing misleading online star ratings and price representations.
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NOV 2022
Grieving WA consumers now protected
Funeral operators must now display prices publicly and provide key information without requiring people to meet with a sales representative.
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OCT 2022
New fines for breaching consumer rights
Companies who harm, mislead or deceive consumers will face up to 5x greater penalties. For the first time ever, companies who rely on unfair contract terms will also face penalties.
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OCT 2022
Timeshare taken to task
Ultiqa will pay a $900,000 penalty for breaching financial advice protections for consumers thanks to action from ASIC. We raised the alarm in our super complaint in May 2021.
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SEPT 2022
A ban on binary options
These dodgy financial products share many characteristics with high risk gambling. CHOICE supported a ban to prevent consumer harm, and ASIC has extended that ban until 1 October 2031.
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AUG 2022
South Australia joins school banking ban
Private banks are banned from school banking programs in South Australia, joining Victoria, NSW, Queensland and ACT state governments. We awarded Dollarmites a Shonky in 2018.
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JULY 2022
Urgent funeral assistance for Youpla members
In an important first step, the Federal Government commits to covering funeral benefits for active Youpla members who pass away, up until November 2023.
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july 2022
Big retailers pause facial recognition
Bunnings, Kmart and The Good Guys temporarily stop using facial recognition technology while the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) investigates. This comes on the back of a CHOICE investigation and campaign.
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JULY 2022
Revitalife refunds consumers
The ACCC makes bed company (and 2020 Shonky Award winner) Revitalife to refund 49 customers a total of $57,646.
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JULY 2022
Unsafe Noirot heaters recalled
Panel heater manufacturer Olympia Splendid recalls four models after they fail a CHOICE cord anchorage test, which can cause electric shock. The findings are reported to the ACCC.
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JUNE 2022
Safer prams, strollers & trikes
Safety standards for prams and strollers are strengthened after a 2020 CHOICE investigation shows significant safety issues.
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JUNE 2022
Button battery safety standard
Authorities introduce a world-leading safety standard, with tough penalties for businesses who don’t comply. Australian kids are now safer, thanks to CHOICE advocacy and awareness-raising by mothers like Andrea and Allison.
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JUNE 2022
Button battery thongs recalled
Thanks to the CHOICE member, Tracey, who got in touch with a worrying product: children’s light-up thongs with soles that were wearing through to expose dangerous button batteries. We alerted the ACCC, and Big W agreed to recall the products.
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APRIL 2022
High-risk financial products stay banned
After we called for regulation, ASIC announced a 5-year extension of the product intervention power restricting the sale of harmful and high-risk financial products called contracts for difference. This will protect consumers from financial harm.
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April 2022
Better protections on resold tickets
Thanks to consumer pressure, the government introduced a new Information Standard. Now, companies reselling event tickets need to disclose the original value of the ticket what you’re buying – so you aren’t left ripped off.
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February 2022
Tinder promises fairer pricing
In 2020, CHOICE and our international counterparts found Tinder Plus users in 5 out of 6 countries were paying more depending on their age. Now, Tinder has promised to stop charging consumers different prices based on age, but hasn’t yet committed to stopping all price discrimination.
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november 2021
New rights for NSW travellers
NSW introduces a minimum information standard to help people better understand what will happen if their trip is cancelled. It is the first state to act on the cancellation chaos caused by COVID-19.
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