Applicable Law
Purchases made after 1 January 2011 may be subject to the Australian Consumer Law, which sets forth a series of Consumer Guarantees.
Moreover, contracts for the sale of goods or services may be influenced by general principles of contract law as established in the common law.
Under the Consumer Guarantees of the Australian Consumer Law, it is required that:
- Products be of acceptable quality, meaning they should be safe, durable, free from defects, look acceptable, and perform all the functions a normal consumer would expect.
- Products must also match any descriptions given by salespeople, packaging, labels, and in advertisements; be fit for any purpose made known to the seller; come with full title and ownership; not have any hidden debts or extra charges; provide undisturbed possession; meet any extra promises made about performance, condition, and quality; and have spare parts and repair facilities available for a reasonable time after purchase, unless otherwise stated.
- Services must be provided with acceptable care and skill, be fit for any agreed-upon purposes, and be delivered within a reasonable time when no fixed end date is agreed upon.
Further information about the Australian Consumer Law and the Consumer Guarantees is available from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.