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The best and worst laundry detergents revealed in our lab test
See the top cleaners and the duds barely better than water.
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6 out of 15 electric heaters fail CHOICE safety tests
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Winter weather
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Humidifiers vs dehumidifers vs air purifiers
Which one do you need and why? -
Best heating options for renters
From portable electric heaters to the humble door snake, you won't need your landlord's permission for these heating options. -
6 money-saving tips for using your dryer
When line drying isn't an option, here's how to use your clothes dryer without breaking the bank. -
Electric heaters to avoid buying
These models rated lowest in our independent lab test. -
How to buy a dehumidifier for your home
If you've got damp air in your house, a dehumidifier could be the answer. Here's how to find the best for your home and budget.
Take action
Do you support stronger consumer protections for Buy Now Pay Later products?
Join 12 consumer groups from around the world, and over 14,000 people like you, calling on governments to stop Buy Now Pay Later companies like Afterpay, Zip and Humm evading consumer protection laws.
Cost of living
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9 expensive habits you should break to save money
The everyday things you do that are really costing you. -
Woolworths vs Coles vs Aldi: Which house brands win on taste?
We reveal the best budget buys for milk chocolate, hummus, olive oil, cheddar cheese and more. -
The best apps for finding cheap fuel
These handy browsers for nearby bowsers can help you save money on petrol. -
Ethical shopping on a budget
How to find cost-effective ways to keep your shopping list green and your budget in the black. -
Kmart vs Le Creuset: Are cheap Dutch ovens just as good?
Cast-iron casserole dishes are a cooking essential, but are the premium brands worth the price?
Know the products to avoid before you shop the sales.
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Making change together
How you've helped us make things fairer for Australians
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MAY 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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MAY 2022
Ultiqa taken to task – again
The Federal Court found timeshare provider Ultiqa breached financial services laws when signing up customers. We’ve made 5 complaints to ASIC about misconduct in the timeshare industry, including a complaint in 2017 about the conduct of Ultiqa.
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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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OCTober 2021
Timeshare taken to task
Troubled company Ultiqa faces court for allegedly breaching financial advice laws following a 2017 complaint from CHOICE. The timeshare industry is now on notice: to clean up harmful sales practices or risk more legal action.
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october 2021
Commonwealth Bank drops Dollarmites
The CBA announces it will no longer run dodgy school marketing scheme the Dollarmites. This comes off the back of 4 states and territories banning bank-run school marketing schemes.
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October 2021
Private health funds return COVID profits
The big 5 health insurers announce they will give refunds for profits made while customers couldn't access health services.
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september 2021
Refunds for landlord insurer ‘robodebt’
Chubb and GIO Insurance drop claims against renters for damage they didn’t cause. This comes after CHOICE reveals unfairness in the landlord insurance market. Now the pressure is on for industry-wide reform.
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september 2021
Funeral company pays penalty for misleading fees
The ACCC continues to stamp out unfair fees in the funeral sector, penalising Alex Gow Funerals for allegedly misleading consumers on funeral pricing.
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august 2021
Mamakiddies Happy Dino Portable Travel Cot recalled
CHOICE testing discovers the portacot has suffocation, strangulation and limb-entrapment risks. The product is recalled, meaning it can no longer be sold in shops, online or in secondary markets.
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JULY 2021
CHOICE calls for seven solutions to travel chaos
A landmark CHOICE report calls for 7 sensible changes to Australian travel regulations, putting the power back into the hands of consumers. The solutions are welcomed by Rex airlines and independent politicians.
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JUNE 2021
Safe lending saved (for now)
The laws that would remove safe lending protections are stuck in the Senate thanks to CHOICE supporters and not-for-profit allies persuading cross-bench Senators to protect consumers.
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JUNE 2021
Super reforms to secure your future
Super Consumers Australia helped the “Your Super, Your Future” reforms pass parliament. They’ll save an estimated $17.9 bn over 10 years by ending costly duplicate accounts, getting rid of poor-performing funds and making it easier for people to find better options via a new comparison tool.
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MAY 2021
Mosaic fined for selling dud sanitiser
Last year a CHOICE member tipped us off to dodgy hand sanitiser being sold by Mosaic Brands. After our tests revealed the label was misleading, Mosaic was fined $630,000 for selling hand sanitiser without enough alcohol and will refund customers.
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april 2021
Win for fair fire definitions
Thanks to community pressure, all major Australian home and contents insurers with previously bad definitions of fire have made or committed to making their definitions fairer.
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april 2021
QLD and ACT ban Dollarmites
Two new jurisdictions will end school marketing schemes like Dollarmites. Now it’s time for other states and territories to step up and end programs targeted at Australian kids.
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March 2021
Funeral company fined
Propel Funeral Partners was issued an infringement notice by the ACCC for making false and misleading claims about the "local and independent" ownership. The fine comes after CHOICE discovered instances of misinformation and poor transparency in the sector.
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MARCH 2021
Hitachi customers awarded cash back
When CHOICE lab tests found some Hitachi fridges used more energy than claimed, the regulator forced the company to hand customers back $174 to reflect the extra cost of using the product.
Latest stories
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How to buy the best laptop computer
Whether you like Windows, Mac, Linux or Chrome OS, family size or ultraportable, there's a suitable notebook computer for everybody. -
espressoDisplay 15-inch portable USB screen review
Take your second screen with you when you're on-the-go. -
Is an e-reader right for you?
We look at how e-readers work, what the reading experience is like, and reasons why you may want to get one. -
How to buy the comfiest mattress for you
The right mattress can go a long way towards making sure you get a good night's sleep. -
How to buy a great toaster
Two-slice or four-slice? Old school or space age? Here's what to consider when it's time for a new toaster.
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