Protecting consumers' rights is what CHOICE does best. This also means making sure our readers understand the powerful consumer protection tools at their disposal. So when your purchase blows up, unravels or doesn't do what it says on the box, you'll know exactly what you're entitled to.
Know your consumer rights
CHOICE helps you understand the law so you can fight for your rights as a consumer.
Consumer rights guides
Misleading pricing – what is it, and what are your rights?
Different advertised prices, checkout scanning errors and hidden fees are just some of the things to watch out for.
Your rights when you receive goods or services you didn't ask for
These are called unsolicited supplies, and you don't have to pay if you didn't order them.
What to do when a company collapses
Our guide to your rights for unreceived goods when a business goes bust.
Problems with a service: what you can do
From building repairs to clothing alterations, the law protects you from poor service.
What to do with a faulty product
Our expert guide to your rights when something goes wrong.
Do you need an extended warranty?
Is extra protection worth it? Here are the questions to ask.
Are you being harassed?
There are rules against overly aggressive sales tactics.
Faded receipts and proof of purchase
Thermal receipts fade, but that doesn't mean your rights do.
Pyramid schemes
They seem too good to be true - because they are.
Telemarketers and door-to-door sales
What can you do to discourage unwanted telephone and door-to-door sales?
Your rights when it comes to unfair contract terms
Australian Consumer Law deals with unfair contract terms.
Articles
Halloween warning: How to avoid a product safety scare
Toys, treats and costumes are ghosting safety standards. Don’t let a nightmare purchase haunt you this spooky season.
20 years later, the Shonkys are more important than ever
Calling out duds, counting toilet paper. Why the Shonkys have never been more vital.
10 times the Shonkys delivered for Australians
Our Shonky Awards have led to some amazing wins for consumers. Here are some of the greatest hits.
Our fight with Australia's broken freedom of information system
How our journalist's simple request for a document became a 21-month battle of stubborn wills.
Consumer champion: 'Sometimes it needs to just be us mob in the room'
CHOICE spoke to Lynda Edwards about the need for more First Nations financial counsellors and their work around the country.
The place where a tube of toothpaste costs a day's salary
Incarcerated people are going without essential items due to high costs and low wages.
The worst products we've tested in 2025
These duds and disappointments are some of the poorest performers our experts have tested over the past year.
Door-to-door solar sales targeted in 'super complaint' to the regulator
The Consumer Action Law Centre wants to see misleading solar sales and similar operations put out of business.
How to avoid dangerous Easter products these holidays
Novelty toys and other items popular at this time of year don't always meet standards. Here's how to stay safe.
Long-term funding failure for legal assistance organisations
Despite a $3.9 billion support package, many legal needs are still likely to be unmet.
The shoddy products and gimmicky gadgets we won't be buying in 2025
From cheap and dangerous to expensive and useless, these are the product types we'll be avoiding this year.
CHOICE wins in 2024: Looking back on the year that was
The fight for consumer rights continues, but there are some signs of progress.
CHOICE's biggest stories of 2024
The investigations, research and tests that made the news – and made a difference – this year.
How to avoid dangerous products this Christmas
New data reveals Australians are overestimating their consumer protections during the busy shopping season. See how you can stay safe.
Expert tips for shopping the Boxing Day sales
Avoid sales fails and grab a genuine bargain with our top tips for the sales season.
Best and worst appliance stores in 2024
We surveyed over 3500 Australians about their experiences buying electrical appliances online and instore.
Government vows to ban unfair business practices
Dodgy tactics like subscription traps, dynamic pricing and pre-selecting extras at checkout could soon be illegal.
Aussies still struggling to get refunds for faulty products
We're legally entitled to certain remedies if a product fails, but a recent CHOICE survey reveals that the reality isn’t that simple.
Receipt refusal: Shoppers don't want to hand over personal data for receipts
Retailers such as Chemist Warehouse and Lorna Jane aren't giving people the option of paper receipts.
That's discrimination! What businesses aren't allowed to ask
How companies discriminate against consumers, and what to do about it.
Consumer champion: 'Being First Nations is part of my qualifications'
We spoke to Bettina Cooper about the fight for justice for Youpla victims and gaining her voice.
How long should your household appliances last?
We look at the lifespan of washers, fridges, TVs, phones and more, and when you should repair versus replace.
Refunds, returns and repairs – your rights explained
Have you bought a product that’s faulty or not quite right? Get to know your rights.
DoorDash T&Cs prevent customers taking class action – is that legal?
Businesses urged to review their terms and conditions, in face of new penalties for unfair contract terms.
Shonky business practices on the rise
A new government survey shows a significant drop in businesses' knowledge of consumer law obligations.
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.
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.
The worst products of 2023 (so far)
As we gear up to announce the 2023 Shonky Awards, we look at some of the other duds we've encountered so far this year.
Unfair business practices are illegal elsewhere – why not in Australia?
It's time to stamp out trading practices that can trick, trap and exploit consumers.
These are the most complained about businesses in 2023
If you're a follower of CHOICE's annual Shonky Awards, some of these names will be familiar.
World Consumer Rights Day 2023: Our top tips for transitioning to cleaner energy
We share our most useful advice for switching to cleaner and more efficient energy practices.
7 out of 10 Australians misunderstand extended warranties and their rights
CHOICE survey finds many consumers falsely believe buying an extended warranty gives them extra consumer protections.
Op-ed: Companies have no qualms telling straight-out lies
Companies lie to protect themselves and show no shame when they are caught out.
Five ways CHOICE made a difference to consumers in 2022
Want to know how we've helped you this year? We recap the biggest wins of 2022 that consumers made possible.
JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, The Good Guys pushing extended warranties on consumers
Our 2022 mystery shop of Harvey Norman, JB Hi-Fi and The Good Guys revealed most salespeople are getting it wrong.
ACCC takes US-based Fitbit to court for flouting local consumer laws
In its second action against the fitness tracker company, the regulator is seeking penalties and a compliance program.
CHOICE staff share their favourite Shonkys moments
The moments that captured our hearts over 16 years of Shonky Awards.
5 ways to take control of your consumer rights
Here are our top five things you can do right now to take control of your consumer rights, from getting the best deal to using your voice.
ACCC raises alarm as RAT price gouging continues
Regulator says it has significant concerns about the retail price of rapid antigen tests.
AGL fined for misleading marketing
Mid-contract price changes coming under increasing scrutiny.
Just two in five Australians have asked for a repair, refund or replacement
We're reminding people to exercise their consumer rights in the Boxing Day sales and beyond to avoid buyer's regret.
Big business and penalties for bad behaviour
Do big companies just treat monetary penalties as the cost of doing dodgy business?
Can we fix it? Building a meaningful right to repair for Australia
When it comes to product repair, Australia lags behind the US and Europe. It's time we found a big-picture solution.
CHOICE CEO calls out businesses taking advantage of the COVID-19 coronavirus
Op-ed: Alan Kirkland says watch out for misleading advertising, price gouging and shonky health claims.
Five product safety wins CHOICE helped deliver
As we continue to celebrate 60 years of CHOICE, we look back at some of our biggest wins.
'An incredible difference' – here are the top CHOICE wins of 2021
From kissing goodbye to bank marketing in schools to protecting renters from insurance 'robodebt', it's been a year of big wins.
Refund, repair or replacement rights should be tightly enforced, consumer groups say
CHOICE joins forces with consumer groups to call for stronger consumer guarantees under the Australian Consumer Law.
CHOICE calls for Consumer Law changes
CHOICE weighs in on the Australian Consumer Law Review suggesting six key changes to protect consumers.
Do salespeople understand consumer law?
Our shadow shop of Harvey Norman, JB Hi-Fi and the Good Guys found that salespeople are still struggling to understand consumer guarantees.
Customers still buying extended warranties they don't need – survey
Our research shows that one in five customers buy an extended warranty, despite existing warranty rights under consumer law.
COVID-19 lockdown and suspicious price hikes on big ticket items
We tracked whitegoods retailers' daily prices and pinpointed some very timely price increases.
Beware the hidden conditions in your user agreement
You may be clicking away your consumer rights when you're forced to agree to terms and conditions for most digital services.
Fines, product safety and refunds targeted in final consumer law report
Review recommends 19 legislative changes.
When goods aren't fit for purpose
It pays to know your legal rights when it comes to products that don't do what they should.
Competition Policy Review delivers consumer reforms
CHOICE supports competition policy recommendations, albeit with concerns in the area of human services.
What to do if you're having trouble paying your electricity, gas or water bill
With utility bills consuming more of the household budget, it's important to know your rights.
How to ask for a refund
Not sure if you're entitled to a refund for an event or service? Here's what you need to know.
10 ways to protect yourself from buying unsafe products
How to avoid being stuck with a dangerous dud.
Kogan refunds and returns policy shows room for improvement
Is the online retailer playing fast and loose with Australian consumer guarantees?
How to handle a pushy salesperson
What to do when salespeople try to stop you from walking away from a sale.
Consumer law and third-party sellers
Can businesses trading online dodge their legal obligation to provide a refund, repair or replacement?
Consumers could soon save by accessing their own data
New government proposals around big data give consumers the power to unlock big savings.
Price gouging: COVID-19 rapid antigen test prices soar
Stronger protections needed for consumers as some businesses take advantage of demand for 'RAT' kits.
Product recalls and safety
Is Australia's product recall system good enough?
5 product safety battles we're still fighting
CHOICE is still pushing for reforms on these five issues to protect consumers against unsafe products.
Consumer product safety in the UK
The head of consumer protection policy at our UK sister organisation explains how general safety laws help protect UK citizens.
Rather than recalling unsafe products, why not ensure they're safe in the first place?
Businesses, not consumers, should be responsible for managing product safety risks
CHOICE Shiny Award winners
Recognising kindness during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Australians push for stronger protections and repair rights for household products
Our survey has found that most people want greater longevity for household products and stronger rights when it comes to repairs.
The pros and cons of lay-by
Lay-by can be a cheap and convenient way to manage your buying budget, but you should be aware of the pitfalls.
9 things every consumer should know about their rights
What you need to know to exercise your rights under the Australian Consumer Law.
Australia's weak product safety laws
Businesses are not legally required to ensure the products they sell are safe.
Shonky season is almost here
Sign up to stay updated on the dud products of 2022.
What do I do if my new car turns out to be a lemon?
We explain your rights if something goes wrong with your new car.
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The world's biggest shopping mall is always at your fingertips. Knowing how to navigate it properly can save you time and money.
