Fair Trading gets millions back for Queenslanders
- Thousands of Queensland consumers received a share of more than $11.8 million in redress.
- The Office of Fair Trading finalised more than 21,150 consumer complaints last year.
- Common personal and household goods and services accounted for more than half of complaints.
Thousands of Queenslanders received refunds, replacements, repairs and other compensation totalling more than $11.8 million last year after the Office of Fair Trading intervened in a record number of consumer disputes.
Queensland's marketplace regulator secured the redress measures after finalising more than 21,150 consumer complaints in 2024.
Complaints about motor vehicles (4,357 complaints), real estate and resident letting (1,529 complaints), building and construction (1,359 complaints), and manufacturing (1,242 complaints) rounded out the top five most complained about categories across Queensland in 2024.
Refunds negotiated by the Office of Fair Trading in 2024 include:
Almost $3,200 for an elderly Queenslander who experienced a range of issues after purchasing a mobility scooter.
Over $76,990 for a consumer who had ongoing issues with a car they had purchased.
More than $35,660 for a consumer who received incorrect information when purchasing a build-to-order tiny home.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Integrity Deb Frecklington said issues with everyday products are hitting Queenslanders' back pockets most often, with personal and household goods and services accounting for more than half of the complaints made to Fair Trading.
"Last year, the Office of Fair Trading dealt with 12,298 complaints related to products and services Queenslanders use in their homes each and every day, such as household appliances and furniture," the Attorney-General said.
"We know the cost of these often-essential items can add up and place a strain on budgets, especially with current cost-of-living pressures.
"That financial burden only increases when there are issues with the products, or worse, when they are never even supplied."
Australian Consumer Law protects Queenslanders from false or misleading conduct. It also provides them with automatic rights when they buy goods and services.
When goods and services do not meet these standards, consumers may be entitled to remedy – such as a refund, repair or replacement – from the business they purchased from.
If you believe you have not been treated fairly and cannot reach a satisfactory outcome directly with a trader, you can lodge a complaint on the Office of Fair Trading website .
