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Services offered
Helping consumers
Buying goods and services
Fair trading laws set out your rights and responsibilities in all sorts of purchasing situations such as refunds, lay-bys, warranties and unsafe or defective products. We can provide information to help you if you have a problem. But remember, traders and retailers have rights too, and you may have misinformed them or made the wrong choice.
Top of pageResolving a complaint
If you believe you have a legitimate complaint, the first step is to make every effort to sort out the problem directly with the trader or service provider.
Be clear, firm and polite and state what the problem is and how you would like it fixed.
Keep all relevant documents, such as receipts, warranties and quotes.
If you don’t reach a satisfactory outcome, you can contact us on 13 32 20 or visit your nearest Fair Trading Centre. We provide free information about your rights and options to resolve the dispute.
In some cases our staff can contact the trader and attempt to negotiate a settlement.
Dispute resolution
If our staff are unable to successfully negotiate your matter, you can consider taking your dispute to the Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal.
The Tribunal provides independent, low cost and accessible dispute resolution in consumer or tenancy disputes. There is a fee to lodge an application. Application forms and the fee schedule can be obtained from the Tribunal’s website at www.cttt.nsw.gov.au or by calling the Tribunal Registry on 1300 135 399.
Credit problems
We provide information on credit matters for people in financial difficulty, but it is important to contact us as soon as the problem arises.
We also fund community-based financial counselling services across the State. These services provide assistance to people in financial hardship. To find the service closest to you, call the Credit and Debt Hotline on 1800 808 488.
Cars, bikes and boats
Private sale? Do a REVS check!
Before buying a second-hand car, bike or boat privately, contact REVS. We can tell you if there is any money still owing on your purchase, if it has been reported stolen to the police, if it has been deregistered due to unpaid fines or if it has been reported to the RTA as a write-off.
A REVS certificate offers protection against repossession for unpaid debts, and can be purchased for a small fee online at www.revs.nsw.gov.au or by calling 13 32 20 during business hours, 7 days a week.
Buying from a motor dealer
If you buy a used car from a motor dealer and have problems with warranty issues, we can give you information about your options for solving the problem.
Motor vehicle repairs
If you have problems with the cost or quality of motor vehicle repairs our Motor Vehicle Industry Branch can assist you. Call them on 13 32 20.
Home building and renovating
Thinking of building a new home or renovating? Only use a builder or tradesperson who is currently licensed with the Office of Fair Trading. You can check a licence by calling 13 32 20 or by visiting our website.
Our website and building publications also contain lots of practical information, covering such things as the importance of written contracts, home warranty insurance and resolving building disputes.
Renting
We provide information to tenants, landlords and real estate agents about their rights and responsibilities. This service covers all residential premises, including residential parks. We also fund a number of community-based advocacy and advice services across NSW that deal specifically with tenants.
Any money given to a landlord or their agent as a bond must be lodged with the Rental Bond Board.
Buying or selling your home?
We have information to help you buy or sell a home either at auction or by private treaty. We also have information to assist you with buying ‘off the plan’ from a developer.
Strata living
We also provide information on all aspects of strata management and administration, including solving disputes.
Retirement villages
Look for our information booklet called Retirement village living which outlines the basic rights for prospective residents. It must be given out by village operators to anybody who expresses an interest in becoming a resident. Copies are available free by calling 13 32 20 or they can be downloaded from our website.
Helping business
Just starting?
Your business may require some government licences and permits before it can start. To find out what licences you need, visit the Business Licence Information Service (BLIS) website at blis.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au
Registering your business name
If your business is being conducted under any name other than that of the owner, it must be registered. Register your business name at any Fair Trading Centre.
Business names must be renewed every 3 years. Renew (with the prescribed fee) by mail, at any Fair Trading Centre or online at www.licencedft.nsw.gov.au
Keep up-to-date
Whatever your business, it is important to keep up-to-date with the laws affecting your industry. As well as covering all the latest reforms, our website provides a wide range of information to help you run your business, including how to provide quality service, how to deal with complaints, and how to protect yourself against scams that target businesses.
Associations and co-operatives
Give legal standing to your non-profit organisation by incorporating it as an association. This provides members with important legal protection.
You can find out more from any Fair Trading Centre or the Registry of Co-operatives & Associations.
A co-operative is a legal entity that is owned and controlled by its members for their mutual benefit. Our Registry of Co-operatives & Associations can provide free information and assistance, as well as a free information kit.
Call 1800 502 042.
Safe products
Whether you are a retailer, wholesaler, manufacturer or importer, you need to ensure that the products you supply meet the safety laws. For instance, many electrical and gas appliances need to be approved before they are sold. We can also assist if your business needs to recall any unsafe products.
Trade measurement
If you are in business you must make certain that measuring instruments used for trade are of an approved type, accurate and regularly checked. You must also ensure that all prepacked articles are correctly labelled and the weight or volume of the contents is correct.
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