Key takeaways
- When you buy a product or service, your basic rights, called consumer guarantees, are protected under the Australian Consumer Law.
- On top of this, businesses can offer warranties on products they sell or services they provide. These warranties are like a voluntary promise and can be a point of difference if you’re comparing similar offers.
- When you buy the product or service, the warranty becomes a legal right, as long as you use the product in line with its warranty conditions – for example, get it installed by a licensed installer and get it serviced in line with warranty requirements.
- Protect your warranty by registering your product/appliance and keeping proof of purchase.
About consumer guarantees
What are consumer guarantees?
When you buy a product, you automatically receive basic rights called consumer guarantees that are provided under the Australian Consumer Law for a ‘reasonable time’. This means you have the right to expect the product:
- is of acceptable quality,
- is fit for a particular purpose
- matches its description
- matches a sample or demo model
- meets extra promises made by the seller or manufacturer
- will have spare products and repair facilities available for a reasonable amount of time (unless you’ve been told this is not the case for what you are buying, at the time of the purchase)
- belongs to you after you buy it (that is, you can it expect it won’t be reclaimed or repossessed, or a previous owner doesn’t owe money for it) – unless the seller explains why it doesn’t belong to you before you buy it.
If a product doesn’t meet these criteria, you may be entitled to a repair, replacement or refund – even if the warranty period has expired (depending on whether the problem is major or minor).
See Consumer rights and guarantees on the ACCC website for more information.
About warranties
There are several types of electric product and appliance warranties. If you have a warranty, it is in addition to your consumer guarantee – it doesn’t replace it.
Types of warranties
Here’s are some of the more common warranty types.
What are manufacturers’ warranties?
A manufacturer’s warranty is a promise from the manufacturer or seller about what it will do to fix any defects relating to the product. It must be written in plain language and outline things like:
- what components of your product or service are covered
- how long the warranty is for
- how to make a claim
- how to contact the manufacturer or seller if things go wrong
- any other relevant conditions (like whether you need to arrange a service and how often).
Conditions apply to warranties. For example, you may have to get an installation done by a licensed electrician, or agree to use the product in line with its purpose – e.g. home use, rather than in a commercial café.
Warranties commonly don’t cover normal wear and tear, damage from misuse, environmental and accidental damage or lack of maintenance (where maintenance is a condition of the warranty). Be sure to check your specific product’s warranty so you know the conditions you need meet, what’s covered and what’s not covered.
The ACCC outlines the mandatory text that businesses must include in their warranties.
How long do manufacturers’ warranties last?
Warranties vary by product or appliance type and brand, so be sure to check your specific product’s warranty. The table below is a guide to some common warranty periods.
| Product/Appliance type | Good to know |
|---|---|
Electric induction cooking appliance | Warranties are generally from 2–5 years, and may cover parts and labour |
Electric heat pump hot water system | Different parts of the unit have different warranties. E.g.:
|
| Wall mounted and ducted electric heating and cooling (split systems) | Warranties are generally 5 years for parts and labour |
Solar panels | Different warranties apply. E.g.:
|
| Battery storage | Warranties are generally 10 years or a number of charge/discharge cycles, whichever is sooner |
| EV smart charger | Warranties are generally 2–5 years, and may cover parts and labour |
How to check your warranty
Check the warranty card that comes with your purchase. The warranty details for your product may also be available on the internet.