Honour consumer guarantees under the Australian Consumer Law
Goods and services supplied to consumers come with automatic statutory guarantees that cannot be excluded.
Who must comply
All businesses supplying goods or services to consumers in Australia.
What triggers it
Supplying goods or services to a consumer.
When due
Ongoing.
Evidence required
Refund/repair/replacement policy, staff training, complaint handling records.
Max penalty
False representations about consumer rights — civil penalties up to $100M / 30% turnover (from 28 March 2026)
Summary
Schedule 2 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (the ACL) imposes statutory consumer guarantees on goods and services supplied to consumers (broadly: $100K threshold or for personal/domestic use). Remedies vary by major vs minor failure. Manufacturers face additional guarantees including spare parts and repair facilities for a reasonable time.
Enforced by
Source legislation
Industries
Topics
Related obligations
- CWLTHComply with mandatory product safety standards + bans (ACL)Schedule 2 ACL — suppliers must comply with mandatory product safety standards + permanent bans.
- CWLTHButton + coin battery safety standard (mandatory)Suppliers of products containing button + coin batteries must meet 2022 mandatory standard.
- CWLTHAvoid unfair contract terms in standard form consumer & small business contractsFrom November 2023, unfair contract terms carry pecuniary penalties — up to $100M per term (from 28 March 2026).
- CWLTHNotify ACCC of a voluntary recall within 2 daysSuppliers must notify the ACCC within 2 days of initiating a voluntary consumer product recall.
- CWLTHCountry of Origin Labelling for food (CoOL Information Standard)Food sold in Australia must carry country-of-origin labelling per the 2016 Information Standard.
- CWLTHLoyalty programs must comply with ACL transparency + UCTLoyalty program T&Cs governed by ACL — UCT regime + misleading conduct.
Frequently asked questions
- Who must comply with Honour consumer guarantees under the Australian Consumer Law?
- All businesses supplying goods or services to consumers in Australia.
- What triggers Honour consumer guarantees under the Australian Consumer Law?
- Supplying goods or services to a consumer.
- When is Honour consumer guarantees under the Australian Consumer Law due?
- Ongoing.
- What is the maximum penalty for Honour consumer guarantees under the Australian Consumer Law?
- False representations about consumer rights — civil penalties up to $100M / 30% turnover (from 28 March 2026)
- What evidence is required for Honour consumer guarantees under the Australian Consumer Law?
- Refund/repair/replacement policy, staff training, complaint handling records.
Source: https://accc.gov.au/consumers/buying-products-and-services/consumer-guarantees. Rules Mate is not a law firm. Always verify against the live regulator source before acting.