New South Wales - Fair Trading

NSW Fair Trading – What we can do for you

 Values and practices in Australian society are different from many other overseas countries. In Australia, every individual has the right to be protected from unfair business practices. Tradespeople and business operators need to be aware of their obligations under NSW Fair Trading laws.

Most of us have been influenced by Fair Trading laws everyday with out even knowing it whether it be whilst shopping, renting a home, buying a car or building or renovating your home. Fair Trading helps to ensure fairness in the marketplace providing information and assistance to consumers and traders about fair and ethical practice to provide the best consumer experience possible.

NSW Fair Trading provides assistance and information for all consumers and traders in New South Wales. We can help you with general shopping issues, motor vehicles, home building and renovations, tenancy issues, cooperatives, associations, business names and business licensing. Fair Trading is now able to provide further access to a range of other NSW Government services in the one convenient location via attending any Fair Trading Centre, streamlining and improving the delivery and access of NSW Government information.

Helping consumers – Buying goods and services

The ACL sets out your rights and responsibilities in all sorts of purchasing situations. For example, it covers consumer guarantees, refunds, unsafe and defective products when you make a purchase using a lay-by or an unsolicited consumer agreement with a door-to-door seller or telemarketer. We can provide free information to help you if you have a problem. But remember, traders and retailers have rights too, so ensure that you make the right choice and are fully informed.

Shopper’s rights

Did you know you have basic consumer rights when buying goods or services?

All goods and services you buy come with a basic consumer guarantee.

In addition, all goods you purchase must comply with any product information and safety standards.

It is illegal for retailers to mislead you about products or use high-pressure selling tactics.

Every time you buy goods or services, you are forming a contract which gives certain rights and responsibilities to you and the trader. For example, you enter a contract when buying a house, car, TV, lounge or making other everyday purchases.

The contract may be in the form of a receipt, invoice or other document outlining terms and conditions which you and the trader are agreeing to such as deposits, cancellation fees, consumer guarantees, warranties, delivery and product/service details, price, payment arrangements and more depending on the type of purchase you make. It is your responsibility to read and understand the terms and conditions of contracts so you know what you are agreeing to.

Always keep a copy of receipts, dockets, invoices or contracts in a safe place as you may need them if you want to return, repair or exchange the goods.

What you should know about renting in NSW

In Australia most people either rent or buy their own unit or house. When you rent a home in NSW and become a ‘renter’ or a ‘tenant’, knowing your rights and responsibilities will help you avoid or resolve differences you may have with your landlord, real estate agent, house-mates or neighbours.

To rent a home you have to enter into a contract (lease) which is called a Residential Tenancy Agreement. When you rent a unit or a house you enter into a lease with a landlord (property owner). The landlord can use a real estate agent to give you the lease and to look after the unit or house. To find out more about renting a home in NSW visit our website.

How to contact us

Fair Trading produces selected information in a number of community languages available from the Fair Trading website. You can get face-to-face assistance and information from any of our 24 Fair Trading Centres located throughout NSW.

Most open Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 5.00pm. For location details, go to the Fair Trading website.Call Fair Trading on 13 32 20 for all enquiries. For language assistance phone 13 14 50 and ask for an interpreter in your language.