Advertising and promotions

  • A business must be able to prove any claim they make or advertise.

  • Claims should be true, accurate and based on reasonable grounds.

  • Online product and service reviews should be independent and genuine.

  • Special rules apply to cash back promotions, prizes, gift cards and discount vouchers.

Cash back offers, gifts and prizes

Businesses sometimes offer cash back promotions, prizes or gifts. These offers are usually time limited and special conditions usually need to be met.

Country of origin claims

When buying goods, consumers may be influenced by claims about where a product was grown, produced or made. Claims must be true, accurate and based on reasonable grounds.

Customer loyalty schemes

There are some things to look out for before signing up to a customer loyalty scheme.

False or misleading claims

A business must be able to prove any claim they advertise. Claims should be true, accurate and based on reasonable grounds.

Gift cards and discount vouchers

Gift cards and discount vouchers are an alternative to cash to buy products or services from participating businesses. Gift cards and vouchers must meet some specific requirements.

Online product and service reviews

It’s against the law for a business to create fake or misleading reviews or to arrange for others to do so. There are certain signs that can indicate a review is fake.

Organic claims

Consumers purchasing organic products should be able to feel confident that the ingredients are in fact organic. Misleading, false or deceptive organic claims are against the law.

Social media promotions

Australian Consumer Law applies to social media advertising in the same way as other types of advertising. Businesses must not make false or misleading claims when promoting themselves.