Queenslanders were reimbursed to a tune of almost $12 million last year, as a result of complaints to the Office of Fair Trading.
State Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said the Office finalised more than 21,000 consumer complaints in 2024.
Attorney-General Frecklington said consumers received refunds, replacements, repairs and other compensation totalling more than $11.8 million.
She said the most common complaints related to motor vehicles (4357), real estate and resident letting (1529), building and construction (1359), and manufacturing (1242).
“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,” Attorney-General Frecklington 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.”
She said refunds negotiated by the Office of Fair Trading in 2024 included almost $3200 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 and more than $35,660 for a consumer who received incorrect information when purchasing a build-to-order tiny home.
Attorney-General Frecklington said Australian Consumer Law protected Queenslanders from false or misleading conduct and also provided them with automatic rights when they bought goods and services.
“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.”
