Problem with a product or service
In many instances, when you buy products or services for your business from a supplier, you have the same protections as consumers. Here are some areas of consumer guidance that may be relevant to operating your business.
Consumer rights to a repair, replacement or refund, contract cancellation, claiming compensation for damages and loss, warranties.
Warranties are extra promises that a business makes about the quality of a product or how it will fix any problems with a product or service.
When someone buys products or services, they enter into a contract with the seller.
If businesses can’t supply the product or service that a consumer has paid for, then the business must provide a solution.
Operating costs
There are certain products and services that businesses consider or buy in the course of running their business. Here are some products that may be relevant to operating your business.
We guide consumers on how they can find the best electricity deal. The information is mainly for New South Wales, south-east Queensland and South Australia. We provide sources for other areas to compare electricity costs.
If you’re struggling to pay your energy bill, contact your electricity company and let them know. Your local Energy Ombudsman can help resolve problems with your energy company.
Petrol prices move up and down in regular patterns in Australia’s major cities. These petrol price cycles are the result of pricing policies of petrol retailers.
We promote competition, remedy market failure, allow access to essential infrastructure, and work to protect consumers in this sector.
Chasing or paying debt
A debt collector should only contact a debtor for a reasonable purpose and only when necessary. Certain behaviour is illegal.
Laws are in place to protect you from being treated unfairly by debt collectors. Businesses that recover debts need to be aware of their legal obligations.
Read our guide for small business
This publication is designed to help small businesses understand their key rights and responsibilities under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 and the Australian Consumer Law.