Australian Consumer Rights
Australia has strong consumer protection laws. Here's how to understand your rights.
Return and warranty policies
All retailers are additionally bound by the Australian Consumer Law (ACL), which provides non-excludable guarantees on acceptable quality, fitness for purpose, and correspondence with description, regardless of any store policy. "Change-of-mind" policies are voluntary and above ACL minimums. Information current as at June 2026; verify directly with each retailer before relying on specific terms.
| Category | Retailer | Change-of-mind window | Item condition required | Proof of purchase | Refund outcome | Notable exclusions | Warranty / faulty goods | Last update |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supermarket / Discount | Aldi | 60 days | Unused; change of mind accepted even without a strict reason | Preferred (receipt or bank statement acceptable) | Full refund or replacement | Food items (general ACL only); ALDI Specialbuys may vary | ACL applies. Bauhn/own-brand electronics: 60-day refund or replace for major failure. | 1 June 2026 |
| Discount / General merchandise | Big W | 90 days | Unused, original and saleable condition and packaging, not expired | Required | Refund or exchange | Excluded products listed on website; marketplace items 30 days only | ACL applies. | 1 June 2026 |
| Hardware / Home improvement | Bunnings | ~30 days | Unused, original packaging, resaleable condition | Required (photo ID if no receipt) | Refund via original payment method or store credit | Custom/tinted paint, cut-to-size materials, opened toiletries/pet products, special orders | ACL applies. "Perfect Plant Promise": 12-month replacement on garden plants. Claims handled at any store. | 1 June 2026 |
| Pharmacy / Health / Beauty | Chemist Warehouse | 7 days | Sealed, unused, original packaging with all accessories | Required (receipt or tax invoice); no receipt = no refund | Refund to original payment method. No refund of original shipping for change of mind. | Medicines, baby formula, fragrances, vitamins/supplements, food, intimate products — no change-of-mind returns | ACL applies. Faulty/incorrect items: refund, replacement or repair; return shipping covered. | 1 June 2026 |
| Supermarket | Coles | 30 days | Original condition; Coles-brand items accepted even if opened | Required for most items | Refund or replacement | Tobacco, gift cards, select perishables | ACL applies. "Try It, Love It" guarantee on own-brand products — full refund even if opened. | 1 June 2026 |
| Electronics / Furniture / Appliances | Harvey Norman | No general change-of-mind policy | Relies primarily on ACL rights rather than a voluntary change-of-mind policy | Required | Varies by franchisee — generally repair, replacement or refund for faulty goods only | Change-of-mind returns not guaranteed; at franchisee discretion | ACL applies. Each store is an independent franchisee — policies may vary. | 1 June 2026 |
| Furniture / Home furnishings | IKEA | 365 days (unopened)60 days (opened, selected items) | Unopened: full refund. Opened: 60-day test-and-try — clean, resaleable, with packaging. No modifications. | Required | Unopened → full refund. Opened → IKEA Returns Card (store credit); amount may be reduced by condition. | Food/drink, gift cards, custom-made products, items bought abroad. Policy tightened April 2026. | ACL applies. IKEA product guarantees vary by product (e.g. 25-yr on some furniture). | 1 June 2026 |
| Electronics / Entertainment | JB Hi-Fi | 30 days | Unopened, sealed, unused, for personal use | Required | Refund or exchange | Opened headphones, opened software, digital content; strict no-returns once seal broken for some categories | ACL applies. Manufacturer warranties honoured in-store. Online purchases returnable in-store. | 1 June 2026 |
| Discount / General merchandise | Kmart | 60 days (up to 365 for members on eligible items) | Unused, unworn, original packaging | Required | Refund or exchange | Excluded product list on website; marketplace items 30 days only | ACL applies. | 1 June 2026 |
| Discount / General merchandise | Target (AU) | 60 days (365 for OnePass members) | Must be in sellable condition | Required | Refund or exchange | Excludes items not in sellable condition | ACL applies. | 1 June 2026 |
| Supermarket | Woolworths | 30 days | Unused, original packaging, not within 2 days of expiry | Required (receipt or bank statement) | Store credit voucher (not cash) | Tobacco, gift cards, mobile phones, some perishables | Refund, replacement or repair under ACL. "Fresh or Free" guarantee on fresh food. | 1 June 2026 |
Australian Consumer Law (ACL)
Applies to all consumer purchases in Australia. Products must be fit for purpose, of acceptable quality, and last a reasonable length of time.
Manufacturer Warranty
Usually covers defects in materials or workmanship for a set period (often 1–2 years). Check the terms for what's covered.
Extended Warranty / Insurance
Optional, usually offered at purchase. Compare the cost against the protection offered — many purchases are already well-protected by ACL and statutory warranty.
Return Policy
Australian retailers commonly offer 30–60 day return windows for items in good condition with a receipt. Some have stricter policies (e.g., final sale items). Check the retailer's policy.
Dispute Resolution
If you have a complaint, contact the retailer or manufacturer. If unresolved, escalate to Consumer Affairs or a dispute-resolution body like the ACCC.