Tickets for parties and events

You can be assured that your rights are protected when buying tickets and event packages with the operation of the Australian Consumer Law. 

What you should do before planning for a school formal and other parties

If you’re planning a school formal or after-party, beware of scammers and businesses offering the ‘ultimate experience’. Know what you want from the event. Do not be convinced you need something you may not want.

Before doing anything, you should: 

• research the operator
• get the business name
• get the details of the contact person and their position
• do an online search and if possible, get references from people who have used them before.

Do not sign anything if you do not understand all the terms and conditions. If anything about the contract is not clear, ask the provider to explain it to you.

Do not pay any money until you get a written agreement. The agreement should:

• list all the services to be provided and their costs
• say when and where the event will take place
• have a refund policy.

When you do pay, you should use electronic funds transfer, cheque or credit card as it is easier to trace who was paid and when.

Keep all receipts and invoices in case you need to refer to them in a dispute.

Your consumer rights when buying tickets to an event or party

Under Australian Consumer Law, most products or services bought in Australia after 1 January 2011 come with automatic consumer guarantees that the product or service you purchased will:

• be of acceptable quality
• be fit for a particular purpose
• match the description, or sample or demonstration model.

Proof of purchase and documentation

You have the right to receive proof of purchase. 

Businesses must give you a receipt for goods or services valued at $75 or more. You can ask for a receipt for a transaction under $75 and the business must give it to you within 7 days.

If the service has a warranty, it will give you some extra protection against faults or defects. Warranties generally have terms and conditions attached and it’s your responsibility to be aware of these.

Advertising

Advertising can be a powerful means of persuasion, so it’s important it is truthful, accurate and easy to understand. Australian Consumer Law protects consumers from deceptive advertising claims and conduct.

Businesses are not allowed to make false or misleading representations about their products or services. 

The remedy if something goes wrong with your ticket purchase

The remedy when things go wrong will depend on whether the problem is major or minor.

You are entitled to an appropriate remedy from the business when the product or service you purchased does not meet one or more of the consumer guarantees.

This might be:

• a refund
• cancellation and replacement
• further service to rectify the problem
• reimbursement for damages and consequential loss in some cases.

The remedy will depend on whether the problem is:

• a major problem, or
• a minor problem.

You can find out more by visiting our repairs, replacements and refunds page.