cost of living
Experts alarmed as Aussies use crowdfunding to pay bills
Energy companies are partnering with crowdfunding app HelpPay – are they dodging financial hardship obligations?
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Clothes dryers to avoid buying
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The hard-to-reach businesses frustrating Australians
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Latest stories
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How to save money on your home heating and cooling costs
These expert tips will help you keep a lid on your electricity bill in both winter and summer. -
Home and contents insurance cover for jewellery
Is your expensive jewellery covered by your policy? What about when you're outside your home or overseas? -
Can you get your money back if a festival line-up changes?
Ticket holders want refunds after Placebo and Deep Purple drop out of the Pandemonium Rocks festival. -
Should you buy a clothes dryer from Aldi?
Aldi is selling a vented clothes dryer as a Special Buy this Wednesday 17 April for $279. Is it a good buy? -
Why tickets to your favourite live events may soon cost you thousands
Dynamic or 'demand' ticket pricing is applied for the Australian Open and Grand Prix. Music and live gigs could be next.
Take action
Are you a member of any supermarket loyalty programs?
In the current cost of living crisis, many of us are looking for the best deals we can get on our groceries. Supermarket loyalty programs promise savings through redeemable points and member-only discounts, but some people feel that they’re being pressured to hand over their personal data to avoid being charged more for essentials. Will you take a few minutes to have your say?
Cost of living
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What's the cheapest way to heat your home this winter?
We'll explain how to keep your electricity costs down, regardless of how you heat your home. -
7 ways to save money feeding your kids
With grocery prices a major household concern, feeding hungry mouths can get stressful. We share some tips to help you save. -
The grocery items hit by shrinkflation
Breakfast staples and cleaning products are among the latest to get smaller and more expensive. -
5 life admin tasks you can tick off easily
Putting off these five boring (but important) things? We'll show you the easiest ways to get them sorted. -
Is it cheaper to repair or replace your fridge when it breaks down?
What you should do if your fridge is on the blink, and whether it makes sense to repair it.
Feeling the pinch? We are here to help.
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Shop smart
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The cheaper supermarket home-brand products that outperform big-name brands
CHOICE testing reveals how you can get more for less with products from Aldi, Coles and IGA. -
Reverse-cycle air conditioners to avoid
The small-size models that rate lowest for heating and cooling efficiency in our air con review. -
The bargain Kmart pans that beat the big brands
A $19 frypan and $20 saucepan sizzled in our lab, ranking higher than expensive brands. -
Overpriced and underperforming: The pricey products that flunked our tests
Some go for less than $50, so is it worth paying hundreds for one of the big brands? -
TVs to avoid buying
Don't get stuck with a dud telly – our lab tests reveal the ones not to watch.
Making change together
How you've helped us make things fairer for Australians
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FEB 2024
Support for Youpla/ACBF victims
The Government announces $97 million to the Youpla Support Program to assist some victims. Thanks to ongoing advocacy by First Nations advocates, policyholders, and community organisations.
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DEC 2023
Win for fairness in financial advice
The Government announces that the best interests duty for financial advisers will stay in place, following advocacy to keep it by CHOICE and other groups. The rule ensures customers get helpful advice of a high standard.
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DEC 2023
Coles refunds thousands of customers
Following our complaint to the ACCC about Coles' false 'locked' price claims, the supermarket apologises for raising prices of 20 products before the end of promotional periods and refunds thousands of customers.
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SEPT 2023
Stronger renters’ rights in Vic
After a CHOICE report exposing invasive rent-tech, the Victorian Government commits to strengthening renters' rights, including restrictions on personal information collection and retention.
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SEPT 2023
Bank execs on notice as new rules pass
New legislation, the Financial Accountability Regime (FAR), passes. Once in force, the rules will hold top executives accountable for misconduct by banks, super funds or insurers. They are backed up by strong penalties.
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AUG 2023
Qantas backs down on COVID credits
Qantas removes the expiry date on credits for customers who had flights cancelled due to COVID, and allows them to ask for a refund. This follows our campaigns on travel rights, including awarding Qantas a Shonky for its behaviour in 2022.
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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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