Contracts
Easy English fact sheet 2025
You might need help to read
this fact sheet.
A friend, family member or support person can
help you.
What is a contract?
- Two people make a promise to each other.
- Some contracts are verbal.
- Some contracts must be in writing.
For example, when someone sells land. - A contract is a legal agreement.
If one side breaks the rules in a contract
there may be a fine. A fine means paying money.
What should you do with a contract?
- Read the contract.
- Understand the contract.
- You can ask a friend, family member or support
person to help you. - Make sure you understand everything in
the contract. - If you do not understand the contract,
ask for help. For example,- a lawyer
- Consumer Protection WA.
Write a contract
Special rules.
A special rule will protect you.
For example, a special rule might be
“subject to finance”. This means you can only buy
the product if you have the loan from the bank.
How to stop a contract
- Some contracts will give you a
cooling off period.
Ask how many days you have to
change your mind. - Normally you can not stop a contract after
the cooling off period.
If you can stop a contract you might have
to pay a fee.
Cooling off period means a set time to
- change your mind
- stop the contract.
Rules for contracts
All contracts must be fair.
A fair contract is equal for both sides.
A person cannot make you sign a contract.
An unfair contract may be against the law.
If you think you have an unfair contract you
should contact Consumer Protection WA.
Consumer Protection WA makes sure businesses
follow the rules. For unresolved disputes the issue
can be referred to a Magistrates Court.
The Magistrates Court can sometimes:
- stop unfair contracts
- give a fine to a business who writes and
unfair contract.
A contract must
- use a clear font. The font is the style of
letters. For example, the font in this book is
called Roboto. - have short, easy to read sentences.
- use plain English.
- explain hard words.
The business must show you any
other documents they talk about.
For example, a warranty.
A warranty is a promise the business gives you.
When a product breaks, the business can
- give you a refund. This means the business
gives you your money back. - give you a replacement. This means you
swap the product for another product. - repair the product for you. This means fix it.
You can get a fact sheet about refunds,
replacements and repairs from
Consumer Protection WA.
You must
- read the contract carefully
- take your time
- only sign the contract when you
understand it
and
- agree with it
- get help if you need it.
Consumer Protection WA
More fact sheets
and information
List of fact sheets in Easy English
- Buying Furniture
- Contracts
- Lay-by
- Phone and door to door sales
- Renting - starting a tenancy
- Renting - during a tenancy
- Renting - ending a tenancy
- Refunds, replacements and repairs
- Scams
- Services
- Shopping tips
Phone 1300 30 40 54
Mail Locked Bag 100
East Perth WA 6892
Interpreter 131 450
National Relay Service 133 677
Email consumer@demirs.wa.gov.au
Website www.consumerprotection.wa.gov.au
This information is written in Easy English.
You might need more information about the law.
You can ask Consumer Protection WA.
Updated February 2025.
Easy English fact sheet updated by
Consumer Protection WA.
Look at Clear Written Communications -
The Easy English Style Guide for
information about the format and writing
style of this document.
You can find more information at
www.scopevic.org.au or
phone 03 9843 2000.
© Scope (Aust) Ltd. You may use this document for your own
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document for any other purpose, and must not copy, reproduce,
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consent of Scope (Aust) Ltd.
Scope’s Communication and Inclusion Resource Centre
wrote the Easy English. August 2016 www.scopevic.org.au.
To see the original contact Consumer Affairs Victoria.
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