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Warranties, refunds and "no refund" signs

A warranty adds to your rights. It never replaces them.

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On this page: Three kinds of promise When the warranty runs out “No refund” signs Change of mind When to get help The law Enquire

In short

  • A warranty adds to your rights. It never replaces them.
  • Your rights under the guarantees can last longer than the warranty, because goods must be as durable as a reasonable consumer would expect for that price and type of product.
  • A business can lawfully decline a refund for a change of mind. It cannot say or suggest that you have no right to a refund when goods have a major failure.
  • There is no legal right to a refund for a change of mind.

Three kinds of promise

01

The consumer guarantees,

which apply automatically and cannot be excluded.1

02

A warranty against defects,

such as a manufacturer’s 12-month warranty. If one is given, it must meet legal requirements and include wording that tells you about your guarantee rights.2

03

An extended warranty

you pay for. Much of what it covers may already be covered by the guarantees, so it is worth knowing what you are paying for.

When the warranty runs out

Your rights under the guarantees can last longer than the warranty, because goods must be as durable as a reasonable consumer would expect for that price and type of product.3 An expensive appliance that fails just after a 12-month warranty may still be covered.

"No refund" signs

A business can lawfully decline a refund for a change of mind. It cannot say or suggest that you have no right to a refund when goods have a major failure. Statements like that can breach the law.4

An old shopfront with a large sign reading needed things for sale

Change of mind

There is no legal right to a refund for a change of mind. Many stores offer one as a policy, and then they must honour the policy they advertise.

When to get help

If a business relies on its warranty or policy to refuse a remedy you think you are owed.

Faulty goods
Businesses: check your wording

The law

  1. ACL s 64(1).
  2. ACL s 102; Competition and Consumer Regulations 2010 (Cth) reg 90(2).
  3. ACL s 54(2)(e).
  4. ACL s 29(1)(m).

Last reviewed: November 2026. This page is general information about Victorian and Commonwealth law as at November 2026. It is not legal advice about your circumstances.

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