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Sometimes things do not work the way you expect. Then it is useful to have expert, unbiased advice and support. There are many government bodies to supply this. They range from Telecommunications to Product Safety, Anti-Discrimination to Credit Files. They are usually quite successful in helping achieve the best possible outcome. We can speak highly of several of these.
Information is also provided on Australian consumer associations, their role and the ways they can help you.
Knowledge is power. Knowledge of prices, roles, inclusions and more help you get best value and outcomes. There are sites covering several areas such as finance, credit cards, health & health insurance, technology and more, which provide comparative information.
If all else fails and you need to get some Legal Information, use this link. It provides a starting point.
Government Bodies
Fair Trading Offices
In each state/territory, sometimes with different names.
- Australian Capital Territory, Office of Regulatory Services
- New South Wales, Office of Fair Trading
- Northern Territory, Consumer Affairs
- Queensland, Office of Fair Trading
- South Australia, Consumer & Business Affairs
- Tasmania, Consumer Affairs & Fair Trading
- Victoria, Consumer Affairs
- Western Australia, Consumer Protection
General Sites
- Australian Consumer Law
The Ministerial Council that handles consumer affairs. For Shopping advice go to their Shopping Rights link. - Comcare
‘Comcare works in partnership with employees and employers to reduce the human and financial costs of workplace injuries and disease in the Commonwealth jurisdiction’. - Consumers Online
‘Incorporated into the consumer pages of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission website. Contacts from the Australian Consumer Handbook Online can now be found in the ACCC’s Consumer and business directory’. - Consumer Sentinel Network
‘An innovative, international law enforcement fraud-fighting program’. - Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal NSW. Similar bodies accessed through Fair Trading Departments in each state.
- National Consumer Web Site
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Product Safety Recalls
Commonwealth site for ensuring what you buy is safe, making sure things that aren’t are recalled. - Scamwatch
‘A site to help you recognise, report and protect yourself from scams. Explore SCAMwatch to find out more about the scams that target you or your small business’.
Other Government Bodies
- Australian Broadcasting Authority
All matters related to radio and television broadcasting. - Australian Communications & Media Authority
While the ABA does broadcasting, this covers all other communication. - Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
Commonwealth body handling complaints about business. Looks after individual, business and Australian interests. - Australian High Tech Crime Centre
‘Provides a national coordinated approach to combating serious, complex and multi-jurisdictional high tech crimes, especially those beyond the capability of single jurisdictions; assist in improving the capacity of all jurisdictions to deal with high tech crime’. - Australian Prudential Regulation Authority
Regulator of banks, finance bodies, insurance, superannuation. - Australian Securities and Investment Commission
Investments, financial matters, takeovers. - Food Standards Australia New Zealand
Joint group making decisions about matters relating to foods. - MoneySmart
‘MoneySmart website helps ordinary Australians take steps to improve their personal finances. We provide you with independent information so you can be better informed in making decisions. We help you take action on matters that will make a difference to your life’.
This has replaced both Understanding Money and FIDO. - Office of the Privacy Commissioner
Information about privacy for business, government, individuals, also related to health. Examples of government responsibility, actions include the following.
- Guidelines For Federal and ACT Government Websites
- Privacy and Copyright
‘Your interactions with Australian Government Information, Services’.
- Workcover SA
Worker, Employer, Health Provider Information. Multiple topics for each. All states have a similar body.
Ombudsmen
Anti-Discrimination
While not specifically ombudsmen, they perform a similar function in the area of discrimination.
- Australian Capital Territory
- New South Wales
- Northern Territory
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Victoria
- Western Australia
General Sites
- Australian Banking Industry Ombudsman
A good person to to contact when you have problems with a bank. Now part of the Financial Ombudsman Service. We have used them and found them excellent. - Fair Work Ombudsman
‘We’re here to give advice and help you understand your workplace rights and responsibilities’. - Industry-sponsored Ombudsman
Schemes
‘Make complaints to one of the industry-sponsored ombudsman schemes for services including banking, telecommunications, health insurance, superannuation, public utilities like electricity’. Use the listing for state and national schemes. - Private Health Insurance Ombudsman
If you have problems with your private health insurance and aren’t satisfied go here. - Telecommunication Industry Ombudsman
Similar options to all the others.
State Ombudsman Offices
- Australian Capital Territory & National, Ombudsman
[Commonwealth] - New South Wales, Ombudsman
- Northern Territory, Ombudsman
- Queensland, Ombudsman
- South Australia, Ombudsman
- Tasmania, Ombudsman
- Victoria, Ombudsman
- Western Australia, Ombudsman
Scam Information
There are always scams of some kind operating. These links give information on a state/territory basis, along with Scamwatch, an Australian Government site. They notify, advise, assist and support you in the event of a scam or fraud.
- Scam Alerts [ACT]
- Scams [NSW]
- Scams & Fraud [Qld]
- Scam Alert [SA]
- Scams [Tas.]
-
Scams [Vic]
‘Anybody can fall for a scam. Find out about various scams and how to avoid them’. - WA ScamNet
- Scamwatch
‘Welcome to SCAMwatch - a site to help you recognise, report and protect yourself from scams’. Australian Government.
Other Information
Associations
- Australian Consumer’s Association
Producers of Choice magazine. Advice, information about goods, how to write letters of complaint, etc.. - Australian Direct Marketing Association
If you bought something and are not happy, you can try here. - Communications Alliance
Self-regulating body for the telecommunication industry. - Communications Law Centre
- Consumer Watchdog
Consumer links provided here. - Consumer’s Health Forum
Discussions about health matters. This is a good starting place. - Econsumer.gov
A world consumer site linked to 29 different countries including Australia. Consumer tips, more in several languages. - Franchise Council of Australia
Offices in NSW, Qld, SA, Vic and WA. The place for franchise concerns. - Internet Industry Association
Not happy with the Australian internet process, an ISP or similar - go here. - New South Wales Tenants Union
This is the New South Wales one, but all states have them. Their Tenants Rights Fact Sheets
give an overview of tenants’ rights and responsibilities, Also has sample letters.
Finance & Banking
Includes financial related areas such as insurance and superannuation.
Ombudsman - Mutuals
This is the place if you have a dispute with a Credit Union or other Mutual Financial Service Provider.
This page on How to Lodge a Dispute provides details of what to do and has links to sample complaint letters, etc.. This is now part of the Financial Industry Complaints Service. You can still contact 1300 780808.
Other Sites
- Credit Ombudsman Service Limited
‘Provides an accessible and independent dispute resolution service as an alternative to legal proceedings for resolving disputes with a participating financial service provider. The service is free to consumers’. - My Credit File
Your Credit File and Rating are the core for many financial services, particularly loans. Do you know what yours is like ?; Has someone added undesirable things to it ?; What does your file actually contains ?. Get copies of your credit file, for Free if prepared to apply and wait for a short period of time, or as a Fee-based service if you need it quicker. Quite a reasonable price. - Financial Industry Complaints Service
Complaints about insurance, finance, superannuation, investments. - Australian Financial Planners
People and companies providing these services. - Insurance Complaints & Enquiries
Find information, make a complaint about the Insurance area. - Life Insurance Complaints
Part of the Financial Ombudsman site. - Protect Your Financial Identity
‘Provides information about how you can protect your financial identity in everyday life and minimise the damage if a problem occurs. While there are no guarantees about avoiding identity theft, there are steps you can take to reduce risk and improve security at home and work’. - Superannuation Complaints Tribunal
If you can’t get satisfaction and still believe there is a problem with your superannuation, visit this site. - Social Securities Appeal Tribunal
Travels around Australia, handles disputes with Social Security payments of any kind. - Credit-Card-Crusher
Free software that is ‘a simple learning tool which illustrates the real cost of carrying high-interest debt’. Try the Credit Repair Planner software from the same site, which works to help improve credit usage and payment.
Tenant Services
- Tenants Union ACT
This is independent of government. - TenantsNSW
‘Tenants Advice and Advocacy Services provide free, independent information, advice and advocacy to tenants throughout New South Wales’. -
Tenants’ Advice Service [NT]
‘An NT-wide, community based, tenancy advice and advocacy organisation for tenants’. - Tenants’ Union of Queensland
‘A statewide community organisation that provides services for residential tenants in Queensland and represents their interests’. - TIAS
‘TIAS is the Tenants Information and Advocacy Service. It assists South Australians on low income who are renting public, private or community housing. TIAS is a free and independent service’. - Tenants’ Union of Tasmania
‘Renting in Tasmania ? We provide free advice for public and private residential tenants’. - Tenants Union of Victoria
‘Aims to inform and educate tenants about their rights, to improve the status and conditions of tenants and to represent and speak for the collective interests of tenants in law and policy making’. - Tenants Advice Service
‘A community legal centre funded to provide quality advice & information to residential tenants [both public & private] and community workers in Perth WA Australia’.
Comparison Sites
Banking
- Bank Account 4u ?
‘Your guide through the financial maze’. Helps compare the cost of credit cards, bank accounts, personal loans, insurance, mortgages.
Credit Card Information
- Balance Transfer Credit Card
‘Free service we offer because we want every consumer to make a smart decision when choosing a credit card. Credit cards can help support you on a daily basis. They can also be a major nightmare if not used correctly’. - BankChoice
See details in the Infochoice listing at the top. - Best Credit Cards
‘Best Credit Cards is a financial comparison website for comparing the best credit cards and credit card offers. This site is a comparison website only, which means there are no costs involved’. - Credit Card Compare
‘Welcome to Credit Card Compare, Australia’s free-to-use credit card comparison site, helping you to compare credit cards and apply online. The best credit card offers are shown in a clear and concise manner so you can easily compare key features’. There are also a range of tools available including a calculator, Beat My Card and Market Report. - Credit Card Finder
‘Credit Card Finder is a Free and 100% Australian owned service for comparing credit cards and financial products available to Australian consumers. Credit card usage and saving tips are provided’ with several groups. - Credit Cards Australia
‘Helps you compare credit cards on offer before applying for the one that fits your needs. Credit cards in our database accept online applications. Compare key factors such as lowest interest rates, 0% balance transfer, no annual fee, other features’. - Credit Cards Australia [2]
Card features, card types, banks & issuers, news & articles, comparisons. Looks at cards from the point of view of a business as well. - Credit Card Offers
‘Provide vital information about credit card offers in Australia, current special offers, related financial reference material, secure applications to apply for cards online’. - I Want a Credit Card
Reviews cards and card types, articles from how to apply to rewards programs, comparison table, Top 10, blog, more.
- High Interest Savings Accounts
‘Find the best high interest savings accounts in Australia and compare all the account’s features to make sure your money is not being eaten away by fees and other charges’. - Home Loan Finder
‘A free and 100% Australian owned service for comparing home loans and financial products available to Australian consumers’. - Personal Loan Finder
‘A 100% free Australian service for comparing and applying for personal loans, cash loans and payday loans available to Australian consumers’. - Personal Loans
Compare, guides & tips, types & features. - Rate Detective
We Investigate, You Save !. ‘Compare rates on Home Loans, Credit Cards, Personal Loans, Insurance, Electricity, more’. -
Rates Online
‘Compare hundreds of home loans and personal risk insurance policies and find the best deal for you.’. - Savings Account Finder
‘Savings Account Finder is a 100% free service to help Australians open the right account with the best interest rate and lowest account keeping fees. Savings accounts are not all the same, compare the best savings accounts and term deposits on Savings Account Finder today’.
Fuel
- Fueltrac
‘FUELtrac focuses on the provision of a wide range of fuel related services to organisations throughout Australia & New Zealand’. Also information about cycles, alternate fuels.
Most information is fee-based. - MotorMouth - Fuel Prices and Petrol Prices Australia
‘Saves you time and money and with our improved range of services we’re making it even easier to beat the average price of fuel !’ -
Weekly Petrol Prices Report
Provides ‘Pricing Facts; Terminal Gate Prices [wholesale]; Pump Prices [retail] and International Fuel Prices’.
General Sites
- BuyItSellIt
Compare prices from 500+ retailers. Channel through specific areas to find these. Australian. - Comp@re
Another Australian comparison site designed to help get the best possible value.
Epinions
Provides other people’s opinions on quality and usefulness of goods. Take care though. Not everyone thinks the same.
- Epinions
- Product Review
‘Forum where people can rate particular products and services, list the price paid and where they got it from’. - Shopzilla
- GetPrice
Use comparison information to your advantage. - InfoChoice
Australian online comparison tools, information for financial, telecommunication, travel areas. No bias to any supplier. Covers the following areas.
- Money Buddy
Comparisons of home loans, credit cards, car loans, personal loans, bank accounts, even looks at tax, financial planning. - My Shopping
‘Free comparison shopping site for smart shoppers’. Australian. - Shop Ferret - Comparison Shopping
‘Find products with ease, compare prices and read user-provided merchant reviews and ratings’. 441 000+ products from 384 shops. - Shopping.com Australia
‘To help consumers anywhere use the power of information to find, compare, buy anything !’ - Simple Savings
Advice, tips, more to make savings in a variety of ways. Much is common sense. Tipsheets, more. You need to join to gain full access, but this could be worthwhile. - Switchselect
‘Compare, save and switch on thousands of Australian products and household services’. - SwitchWise
‘Switchwise is here to help. We make it easy for you to compare prices and plans from all energy retailers servicing your suburb. Switchwise is available to all Australian households and is Free to use !’ - YouCompare
Compare prices for broadband, mobile phones, home phone, Pay TV. Energy costs promised soon. Quite extensive.
Health & Medical
- Good Medicine
Private insurance, private health insurance funds, tools to do comparisons between the various funds. - Health Insurance Comparison
‘Compare health insurance and get quotes online from many private health funds to help you save money on your health insurance’. - Health Insurance Review and
Compare
‘Use our new interactive comparison tool to navigate the maze of options when choosing the right health insurance policy’. Choice Australia. - Help Me Choose
Not only covers Health Insurance but also Life Insurance and Home Loans. - iSelect
Compare health insurance policies from participating funds to help get cover that meets your needs and budget. - PrivateHealth
‘Private health insurance, search for and compare selected features for all private health insurance products offered in Australia’. - Private Health Insurance
Department of Health and Ageing. FAQs about Private Health Insurance. From Am I covered as soon as I take out insurance ? to Why do I have to pay the Medicare Levy when I have private health insurance ?.
Insurance
- Choosi
‘Compare Life, Income Protection and Funeral Insurance’. - Australian Insurance Guide
Health, Travel, Life, Home, Car Insurance, Quotes Online. ‘This online guide will help you find information on different types of insurance as well as providing links to online Australian company websites that can give you instant quotes online’. Also articles about insurance. - Insurance Watch
‘Compare quotes online for over 80 Life insurance [including Total and Permanent Disability insurance], Trauma insurance, Income Protection insurance products. Explains the difference between the policy types and outlines policy benefits and features’. -
Life Insurance Comparison
‘Compare Life Insurance Quotes and Save. Free Insurance Comparison !’
Technology
Computing, technology, telephones, … .
- Internet Fact Sheets
Information, in PDF format, on subjects from ADSL to A Guide to VOIP. Australian Communications and Media Authority. - ShopBot
Find, compare, buy in computing and electronics. Multiple groups, Top 5 Categories listed for you. - Staticice
Useful for technical and computing materials. 250+ stores, more than half a million gadgets.