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Products to avoid in the Black Friday sales
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Latest stories
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Victoria’s energy regulator to put a stop to same-name power plans
The move follows a CHOICE complaint to the regulator and a Shonky for the industry. -
Financial counsellors raise concerns about MoneyMe's lending practices
Quick-fix loans from non-bank lenders often come with high fees and interest rates that can make tight financial situations worse. -
Our top tips to save on travel insurance
You've found the cheapest flights and the best hotel deal but what about your travel insurance? -
Shein, AliExpress, eBay and Amazon failing on button battery safety
Why can online marketplaces still sell unsafe button battery products? -
Amanda waited 30 years for a new smile, then she lost $60,000
Calls for stronger consumer protections after a dentist's death leaves patients out of pocket.
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Black Friday
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Products worth buying in the Black Friday sales
Expert tips for bagging a genuine Black Friday bargain. Plus, exclusively for members, which products to buy in the sales. -
Everything you need to know for Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2025
Our guide to this year's season of these popular sales. -
Is Black Friday a good time to upgrade your kitchen appliances?
What to consider if you're thinking about grabbing new kitchen gadgets in the sales. -
Should you buy a TV in the Black Friday sales?
Sale season is here and you might finally be ready to commit to a purchase. Read our expert advice first. -
Why Black Friday and Boxing Day sales last longer than ever
Feel like retailers are always having a sale? We look at why extended markdowns are becoming the norm.
Life admin
Handy tools and comparison services from CHOICE
Shop smart
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Five toasters to avoid buying
These models definitely won't give you the toast with the most. -
The headphones to avoid buying
Looking for headphones that deliver both great sound and silence? Listen to our experts and give these a miss. -
Air purifiers to avoid
We reveal the models that scored the lowest in our performance testing, to help you find the purifier that'll be a breath of fresh air. -
Four smartphones to avoid
We reveal the not-so-smart smartphones with poor battery life, disappointing cameras, slow performance and more. -
The most water-efficient washing machines
We share the washers that use the least water per load. Plus, how to save water each time you wash.
Making change together
How you've helped us make things fairer for Australians
Learn more-
DEC 2024
Meta to crack down on investment scam ads
Meta introduces a requirement that financial advertisers are verified to help prevent fake celebrity investment scam ads on Facebook and Instagram.
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NOV 2024
Buy now, pay later loophole to close
Reforms pass to regulate buy now, pay later loans under the Credit Act. Companies will need to ensure they’re not selling unaffordable loans and provide support for those facing financial hardship.
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NOV 2024
First part of privacy reform passes
Reforms introduce the right to sue after a serious privacy breach, extra enforcement powers for the privacy regulator, and algorithm transparency obligations.
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NOV 2024
Overhaul of merger laws
New rules grant stronger powers for the ACCC, to stop big businesses from squeezing out competitors to capture a larger percentage of the market.
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NOV 2024
Bunnings’ facial recognition ruled illegal
Privacy Commissioner finds that Bunnings broke privacy laws by using facial recognition in 63 stores without customer consent. Bunnings has to delete all sensitive data, and not repeat or continue the practice.
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OCT 2024
A free way to pay rent in NSW and Victoria
Reforms to rental laws in both states establish a right to pay rent for free through direct debit, landing a blow against RentTech payment platforms, which add additional fees.
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OCT 2024
Unfair business practices to be banned
The government commits to a new ban on unfair business practices. The new law could cover a range of traps like dynamic ticket pricing, gym memberships that are almost impossible to cancel, and pre-checked extras at online checkouts.
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OCT 2024
Stronger refund rights
The government announces plans to introduce strong penalties for businesses that flaunt consumer laws by unfairly denying people their consumer guaranteed rights to a repair, refund or replacement.
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SEP 2024
ACCC action on supermarket prices
Coles and Woolworths face court for allegedly misleading ‘Prices Dropped’ and ‘Down Down’ discounts on hundreds of products, when they were the same or higher than the previous regular price.
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AUG 2024
Improved flight rights
New government reforms strengthen airline consumer rights, including a new independent Aviation Ombuds Scheme. This replaces the current industry-funded Airline Customer Advocate that's so bad, we gave it a Shonky Award in 2021.
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JULY 2024
Infant sleep products now safer
New mandatory standards introduced following rigorous testing and advocacy by CHOICE. The standards reduce the risk of death and injury from sleep products.
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JULY 2024
CHOICE becomes a designated complainant
The government appoints CHOICE as one of the first ‘designated complainants’, allowing us to make ‘super complaints’ to the ACCC on significant and systemic consumer problems.
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MAY 2024
New Fuel Efficiency Standards
New vehicle Fuel Efficiency Standards aim to reduce vehicle running costs and increase vehicle choices, including electric vehicles.
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MAY 2024
Toppling furniture standards introduced
The ACCC introduces a new information standard for toppling furniture to reduce incidents, that requires warnings and information for consumers.
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MAY 2024
Energy companies warned about HelpPay
Australian Energy Regulator warns energy retailers that promoting HelpPay might be against the law.
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MAR 2024
Bloomex fined $1 million
The online floristis ordered to pay a $1 million fine for misleading advertising. This comes after CHOICE gave a Shonky Award to Bloomex in 2022 for poor service.
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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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