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Know the risks and your rights
Online shopping can bring many benefits such as wider choice, and time and cost savings.
However, online shopping does have its risks. It can be hard to know if a product is safe. These risks include:
- being unable to physically examine a product before you buy it
- the pictures and information provided may be unclear or incomplete
- online sellers based offshore may not follow Australian laws and safety requirements.
When shopping online, be aware of product safety and know your rights as a consumer.
When you buy something online you should expect the goods to be safe.
Products sold in Australia are required to meet mandatory Australian standards and bans. This includes products sold online by overseas retailers and shipped to Australia.
Watch our video on buying safe products online
It’s important to keep product safety in mind when you’re shopping online.
Checking product recalls before your next purchase can help ensure you're kept safe against products that may pose a safety hazard.
Video transcript
VISION: An animation plays of someone scrolling for products on their mobile phone.
TEXT: You've found the product you want at the right price.
But wait…
VISION: A hazard sign appears on the phone and an ambulance drives across the shot.
TEXT: This product is under recall
Before you buy online check productsafety.gov.au/recalls
#safeproductsonline
Tips for safe online shopping
Given the volume of products for sale online, you should always follow our tips for safe online shopping.
Be aware of your consumer guarantees
When you buy a product, you have a right to expect it will be safe. Safety is part of acceptable quality, which is one of the basic rights called consumer guarantees under the Australian Consumer Law.
All your usual rights and obligations under the Australian Consumer Law apply when you shop with an Australian business that operates online. This includes your right to a repair, replacement or refund if a consumer guarantee is not met.
Consumer guarantees may be difficult to enforce if you buy a product from an overseas supplier.
If a consumer guarantee is not met and you are having difficulties with an international business, you can contact the consumer protection agency in the country where the business is located.
Check which products have a standard
You can check the list of mandatory standards to find out if a product is regulated. If it is, you can make a safer online purchase by checking if the product meets the Australian mandatory standard.
If the product you’re buying is regulated, check information provided by the seller to confirm that it meets the mandatory standard requirements. If that information isn’t available ask the seller to confirm.
Mandatory standards make safety or information features on products compulsory for legal supply into the Australian market. It’s an offence to supply goods that don’t comply with mandatory standards.
Check which products are banned
You can check the list of banned products. Many products which are banned in Australia can be bought online. Check if the product is banned and if so, do not buy it.
Check the products have not been recalled
When a product is potentially unsafe, suppliers have a responsibility to reduce the risk to public safety as quickly as possible. This is done by removing the product from sale, contacting consumers, and offering a remedy, which may include a repair, replacement or refund.
Before buying online, check the recalls listing that we publish.
You can also visit the OECD Global Recalls portal for international recalls.
Know who you’re buying from
Check online ratings and reviews. Reviews may uncover any safety issues other consumers have experienced. You might also want to check you’re buying from a legitimate seller and not a scammer. Find out more on on Scamwatch.
Read safety warning and instructions
Take time to read safety warnings and instructions for safe use, including any minimum age markings. Contact the seller if you still have questions about safety. This also applies after you receive the product.
Make sure to read and follow any further safety instructions carefully.
Register your product
If possible, register your product with the manufacturer so they can contact you about recalls or other safety information.
Speak up if you find a safety issue
You can report unsafe products to the ACCC and your local consumer protection agency.
Some specific types of consumer goods, such as electrical goods and medical devices, are not regulated by the ACCC. Find out who regulates what and who to contact for specific products.
Australian Product Safety Pledge
Some online marketplaces have made a commitment to product safety by signing the Australian Product Safety Pledge.
Commitments made under the pledge
Online marketplaces that have signed up to the Australian Product Safety Pledge have made commitments that include:
- checking their website for unsafe and recalled goods and removing them quickly
- cooperating with Australian regulatory authorities by taking down unsafe product listings
- allowing consumers to tell them about unsafe products on their websites and to deal with these reports swiftly
- updating consumers and suppliers about unsafe or recalled products.
Signatories to the pledge
The Australian Product Safety Pledge is a voluntary initiative.
Current signatories to the pledge are:
- AliExpress
- Amazon Australia
- Catch.com.au
- eBay Australia
- MyDeal.com.au.
For more information, see the Australian Product Safety Pledge.