A business must give a consumer a 'proof of purchase’ for anything valued $75 or more.
A consumer can ask for a receipt for anything under $75.The business must provide it within 7 days.
Proof of purchase
A proof of purchase is usually a receipt but can also be:
- GST tax invoice
- handwritten receipt
- a digital reciept
It must be easy to read, in plain English and state the:
- business name
- business’s ABN, or ACN
- date of the product or service was supplied
- products or services supplied; and
- price of the goods or services.
A GST tax invoice will be enough proof of purchase. Visit the ATO website for information on GST requirements for tax invoices.
Itemised bills for services
A consumer must also be given an itemised bill for services if they ask for one. The business has to give them the bill within 7 days. A consumer has 30 days from receiving the original bill to ask for an itemised version.
The itemised bill must show:
- how the price was calculated
- the number of labour hours and the hourly rate (if relevant)
- a list of the materials used and the amount charged for them (if relevant)
Proof of purchase before repairing, replacing or refunding
A consumer usually need to provide proof of purchase if they want a repair, replacement or refund. This is so the business can be sure they are providing a remedy for a product or service they sold.
Other forms of proof of purchase include:
- lay-by agreement
- credit card or debit card statement
- confirmation or receipt number provided for a telephone or internet transaction
- a warranty card showing the supplier's or manufacturer's details, date and amount of the purchase;
- a serial or production number linked with the purchase on the supplier's or manufacturer's database.
Original Packaging
If a product does not meet a consumer guarantee, the seller cannot refuse to give a refund, or reduce the amount of the refund, because you did not return the items in the original packaging or wrapping.