The Australian Consumer Law, explained.
The Australian Consumer Law (Schedule 2 to the Competition and Consumer Act 2010) is one national law that applies in every state and territory. It builds automatic guarantees into almost everything you buy — and no store policy, contract clause, or “no refunds” sign can take them away.
Every guide below is written for consumers, reviewed by humans, and cites the exact sections you can quote back to a business.
Key sections, decoded.
Each explainer covers what the section says, when it applies, and the remedy it unlocks.
The questions everyone asks.
- Can I demand a refund? When the ACL gives you the right →
- What a “major failure” means — and why it decides your remedy →
- Replacement vs repair vs refund: who chooses? →
- Consumer guarantees vs the manufacturer's warranty →
- How long do you have to return faulty goods? →
- Your rights when shopping online →
- Business refused your refund? What to do next →
- Services that go wrong — your rights →
One law. Eight ways to escalate.
The ACL is national, but the regulator you complain to and the tribunal that hears your claim depend on your state or territory.
Not sure which forum? Read which tribunal handles your consumer claim, or see the full directory of state agencies.
46 guides and counting.
New guides ship every week, each reviewed before publication.
Know your section. Now use it.
Tell us what happened and we’ll draft a demand letter citing the exact ACL sections that apply — free, in about five minutes.