What are Consumer Guarantees? Update on consumer law in Australia

Every business from 1 January 2011:

1. who provides goods whether by selling, leasing or hiring or provides services;
2. that makes goods, puts them together or has their name on them;
3. that imports goods into Australia, if the manufacturer of those goods does not have an office in Australia;

where the sale of those goods is a 'consumer sale' automatically gives certain guarantees set by the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) ("CCA").

If these guarantees apply and they are breached by the business, the consumer is entitled to a remedy.

What is a 'consumer' sale?

A person or a company will be considered a consumer if they purchase:

1. goods or services that cost less than $40,000 (no matter for what purpose); or