Refund & Returns Policy
Straightforward, fair, and compliant with Australian Consumer Law. Know your rights before you buy.
Quick Overview
Item Not Received
Full refund after investigation
Not as Described
Full refund, return shipping covered
Damaged Item
Refund or replacement arranged
Change of Mind
Seller’s individual policy applies
Refund Time
5-10 business days after approval
Your Rights Under Australian Consumer Law
Australian Consumer Law (ACL) gives you automatic rights that no seller can override. These apply to every purchase regardless of what any seller’s policy says:
- Products must be of acceptable quality β safe, durable, free from defects
- Products must be fit for purpose β do what they’re intended to do
- Products must match their description β exactly as advertised
- Sellers must honour any express warranties they offered
π‘ These are legal rights β they cannot be waived by any seller policy, terms, or conditions.
Refund Eligibility by Situation
| Situation | Are You Eligible? | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| Item never arrived | β Yes | Full refund after 15 business days from shipping |
| Item arrived damaged | β Yes | Refund or replacement β photo evidence required |
| Item not as described | β Yes | Full refund, return postage covered by seller |
| Counterfeit/fake item | β Yes | Full refund, case escalated to platform review |
| Change of mind | β‘ Depends | Subject to individual seller’s return policy |
| Ordered wrong size/colour | β‘ Depends | Contact seller β many accommodate exchanges |
| Digital product downloaded | β οΈ Limited | Only if not as described or technically defective |
How to Request a Refund
- Contact the seller first β message them through the platform explaining the issue
- Include evidence β photos of damaged items, screenshots of incorrect descriptions
- Allow 48 hours β give the seller time to respond and resolve
- Escalate to us β if unresolved, email contact@theaustralianstore.com.au
- We mediate β our team reviews and issues a decision within 5 business days
Return Shipping
- Item not as described / faulty: Seller covers return postage
- Change of mind returns: Buyer covers return postage (where seller allows)
- Item never received: No return required β just investigation
Always use tracked postage when returning items. Keep your receipt β you may need it for the claim.
Refund Timeline
Once a refund is approved:
- Credit/debit card: 5-10 business days
- Bank transfer: 3-7 business days
- Digital payment methods: 1-5 business days
You’ll receive an email confirmation when your refund has been processed.
Seller Return Policies
Each seller may have their own return policy for change-of-mind purchases. Always check a seller’s listed return policy before purchasing. Seller return policies are displayed on each product listing.
Important: Seller return policies cannot override your rights under Australian Consumer Law. Even if a seller says “no returns”, they must still accept returns for faulty, damaged, or misrepresented items.
Need a Refund?
Contact our support team and we’ll guide you through the process quickly and fairly.
Request a Refund
