Buying from an Australian business online

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Australian businesses and companies that trade online can include:

  • department stores and supermarkets
  • an individual who has a registered business or company, such as a jeweller with an online store
  • an individual selling items through an online auction house, such as eBay, who:
    • lists an Australian Business Number (ABN) or company name in their advertising,
    • has a high volume of items for sale, or
    • has been trading for a number of years.

To check if the seller’s website was registered in Australia, enter the address in Whois lookup - website.

Refund rights

Consumers have the same refund rights as they do when buying from a physical shop. This means that, under the Australian Consumer Law, any item they buy is covered by ‘consumer guarantees’.

For more information, view Guarantees that apply automatically.

The business may also have its own refunds and returns policy with additional rights, such as offering a refund if you change your mind. For more information, view Change of mind.

Problems, damage and non-delivery

If there is a problem with your product, view our Refunds, repairs and returns section.

If your product has not been delivered or was damaged in transit, view Products missing or damaged in transit

If you are having a dispute with the business, view our Resolve your problem or complaint section.