Which services are covered by consumer guarantees?

On this page:

• Which services are covered?
• Which services are not covered?
• Which services are covered?

Which services are covered?

As a consumer, most services you purchase will be covered by the consumer guarantees provisions of the Australian Consumer Law. 

You are covered by the law if the services you purchase cost less than $40 000. If the services cost more than $40 000 but are normally used for personal, domestic or household purposes (such as landscape design), the guarantees will still apply.

This means the consumer guarantees can apply to purchases that a business might make, for example installation of air conditioning.

If you receive the services as a gift, you have the same rights as the person who purchased them.

You are also covered when you use 'recreational services' involving physical activities – for example, fitness classes at a gym, working out with a personal trainer, bungee jumping and horse riding. However, people or businesses providing this kind of service can sometimes limit their responsibilities. You should read any terms and conditions in contracts for these services carefully.

Which services are not covered?

• Services provided before 1 January 2011. Services provided before this time may be covered by the laws that applied before 1 January 2011.
• Services costing more than $40,000, which are for commercial use - for example, installation of farm irrigation systems or factory machinery repairs.

The guarantees do not apply to insurance and financial services, as these are covered by other laws. Services for transporting and storing goods for business purposes are also not covered.

Services for transporting and storing goods for business purposes are also not covered.