Under Australian Consumer Law, consumers are protected by a number of rights when they buy goods and services.

When you buy a product or service, it is automatically guaranteed that it will work and do what you asked for. 

Businesses must guarantee the products or services they sell, hire or lease for less than $40,000, or over $40,000 that are normally bought for personal or household use. 

Products must be of acceptable quality – they must be safe and lasting with no faults, look acceptable, and do all the things someone would normally expect them to do. 

They must also match any descriptions provided on packaging or labels, be fit for purpose and come with full ownership. 

Services must be provided with acceptable care and skill or technical knowledge, be fit for purpose, and delivered within a reasonable time frame. 

But what about when something is wrong? 

For products, consumers can claim a remedy from the retailer where products don’t meet consumer guarantees. 

Remedies might include a repair, replacement or refund... In some cases, compensation for damages and loss might also be applicable 

Remedies are also available from a manufacturer or importer if a product does not meet acceptable quality, match the description, fulfil extra promises made about the product, or require a spare part or repair. 

For services, a remedy can be claimed form the supplier if the service does not meet any consumer guarantees.

Such remedies can include a cancelling of the service, and in some cases compensation for damages and loss. 

Exceptions

Unfortunately, consumer guarantees won't apply where you change your mind, find it cheaper somewhere else, don’t like the product, misuse the product, were aware of its faults, or where you have gone against the advice of the business. 

For more information, nestegg advises contacting the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.