Also known as: gift voucher rules, three year gift card rule
In plain English
Most gift cards must last at least three years, and businesses generally can't charge fees to use them.
What it means
Under the Australian Consumer Law, gift cards sold to consumers must have a minimum expiry period of three years from the date of supply, and the expiry date must be shown on the card. Most post-purchase fees, such as activation or balance fees, are banned.
Some exceptions apply, for example cards given free as part of a promotion or for a specific marked-down item. The ACCC and fair trading bodies enforce these rules.
How it's used
The cafe's gift card had to stay valid for at least three years and could not carry monthly account-keeping fees.
Enforce your consumer rights for faulty goods, services and refunds. Our AI assistant, Rachel Z, takes your details in minutes and a
qualified Australian lawyer handles the rest — at a fixed fee, with no hourly billing.
