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🇦🇺 Australia onlyCan I actually get a refund?
A shop refusing a refund isn’t the end of the conversation. Under the Australian Consumer Law, faulty, unsafe or misdescribed goods and services carry consumer guarantees that no store policy, warranty card or "no refunds" sign can switch off.
The single biggest thing to get right is whether your fault is major or minor, because that decides who gets to choose the remedy — you, or the seller. This tool walks through what went wrong and what the seller has said so far, then tells you exactly what to demand and, where relevant, the exact line to use against a deflection like a credit-only offer or a manufacturer redirect.
None of this applies if you’ve simply changed your mind — that’s genuinely down to the store’s own policy, not the law. Everything else below is about faults, safety issues, and goods or services that don’t match what you were told.
Frequently asked questions
Are "no refunds" signs even legal?
The sign itself isn’t illegal, but relying on it to refuse a genuine consumer guarantee claim can be. The ACCC treats a blanket "no refunds" sign used against a faulty-goods claim as potentially misleading conduct — it can only ever govern change-of-mind returns, which were never a legal right in the first place.
Refund or repair — who actually chooses?
It depends on whether the failure is major or minor. For a major failure, you choose between a refund and a replacement. For a minor failure, the seller gets to choose the remedy — usually a repair — but they still have to provide it, and within a reasonable time.
How long do my refund rights last?
There’s no fixed cutoff. The ACL guarantees last for a "reasonable time," which depends on what you paid and what kind of product it is — a cheap accessory and an expensive appliance aren’t held to the same durability expectation.
Does "change of mind" give me any rights?
No. Change-of-mind returns are entirely a matter of store policy, not law. If the store offers one, that’s a courtesy, not an obligation — check their current published policy before assuming it applies.
Can the store send me to the manufacturer instead?
No. The retailer who sold you the product is the one who owes you the consumer guarantee remedy. A manufacturer’s warranty is a separate, additional thing — it doesn’t replace or redirect your claim against the seller.
Do I need the original receipt?
You need proof of purchase, which is broader than the paper receipt — a bank statement, order confirmation email, or store account record can all work.
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screwtheman.com is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. This tool gives general information on consumer rights and dispute pathways based on public guidance. For complex legal matters, consult a qualified lawyer or the relevant regulator.