Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands across Victoria and pays our respect to Elders past and present. We acknowledge and respect the rich continuous culture which First Nations people graciously share with us.
How we can help you
We have specific information and services to help First Nations people understand their rights and resolve common renting and consumer problems.
Our information for First Nations people has been developed in response to feedback from First Nations communities and organisations about the issues that affect them most.
Know your renting rights
When you enter a rental property, you should be provided with a ‘Renters Guide’ from either your property manager or your rental provider. This guide will provide information on moving in, what to do if there are issues while you are renting, and moving out.
- When you are starting a new rental agreement, you will probably be asked to pay a bond. For more information on bonds, go to Bond.
- Rental providers must ensure their rental property meets the rental minimum standards. For all details on minimum standards, go to Rental properties minimum standards.
- In Victoria, it is against the law to stop people from renting a property based on race or cultural background. For more information on discrimination in renting, go to Unlawful discrimination in renting.
- There are rules for who pays for utilities and services such as electricity, gas, water, phone and internet. For more information, go to Setting up and paying for utilities, phone and internet in rental properties.
Find all of our Renting information and the First Nations Renting Guidance Factsheet (PDF, 127KB).
For all renting documents that you can use during your rental agreement, go to Forms and publications.
Understand your shopping rights
- If you find an issue with a product or service you have paid for, you may be covered under Australian Consumer Law.
- There is a difference between a fault with a product or service and just changing your mind on a product or service.
- To see all our shopping information, including refunds and returns, go to Products and services.
- Go to our Bag searches section to know your rights when asked for your bag to be checked.
Contracts
It’s OK to say no to a salesperson at your door or to walk away without signing a contract.
It can be hard to read all the terms and conditions listed, but you should never feel pressured into signing a contract if you don’t have all the information you want or are not sure.
Guidance for buying a car
- Buying a car is a big financial decision. It’s important to do your research beforehand and know your rights.
- Consider vehicle safety, safety ratings and child restraints in your choice of a car, as well as the sale cost and the costs of repairing and maintaining it.
- When buying a used car, ask to see the registration history and service logbook.
- When buying a vehicle from a dealership, you can ask to test drive it to ensure that it does not have any mechanical issues. Also make sure you get all the documents you have a right to, read them carefully and ask as many questions as you like. Take your time with the purchase.
- If you buy a car that breaks down or doesn’t work, speak directly to the dealership you bought the car from first or contact us for help. You have the right to a repair, refund or replacement in some cases, whether or not the car was new or used.
- You have fewer protections and rights when buying a car in a private sale so be careful.
For more information about buying a car please go to these pages:
Find our cars information, including more on maintenance and repairs.
Scams money and debt
- Scams are schemes designed to deceive you, generally to steal your money or personal details.
- Scammers can target specific communities where they believe there may be an opportunity to take advantage of people. For example, when people are vulnerable like during times of Sorry Business.
- Scams are becoming more realistic and it is hard to tell the difference these days. Please watch out when getting asked for your card or bank details over the phone.
- When it comes to online shopping and advertisements, please be wary as ads on social media pages can also be scams.
- Some scams ask you to pay a fee first, or impersonate government bodies like the police or tax office threatening arrest or immediate action.
- You can report a scam via Report a scam - Consumer Affairs Victoria or Report a scam | Scamwatch
For more information and for help on how to avoid scams and what to do if you are scammed, go to Scams.
Money and debt
You can read money tips and resources for First Nations people on the MoneySmart government website.
For more information about specific money and debt issues, the links below can help:
Funeral cover
Sorry Business is culturally important to First Nations communities to mourn the loss of a loved one. Funeral cover can be hard to choose and may put you in financial hardship.
Funeral cover comes with risks and impacts and can sometimes leave loved ones without enough to cover the funeral costs.
For information to help you decide about products such as funeral insurance, pre-paid funerals and funeral bonds, watch our video:
For more information, visit Paying for funerals - MoneySmart website.
Contact us
9am to 5pm Monday to Friday (except public holidays).
Yarrka Barring, CAV’s dedicated helpline for First Nations people is 1300 661 511. The call takers on our phone line are trained in Aboriginal cultural awareness and provide a culturally safe space to discuss any concerns about your consumer or renting rights.
Calling us costs the same as a local call. Additional charges may apply if you call from overseas, on a mobile or payphone.
For other options, go to Contact us.
For legal advice, phone the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service on 03 9418 5999 or 1800 064 865. For their office locations, visit the Locations section of the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service website.
For VCAT questions, call or text the VCAT Koori Helpline on 0417 516 335.
National Indigenous Consumer Strategy
CAV is a National Indigenous Consumer Strategy (NICS) reference group member. The group develops a range of resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consumers and businesses. For more information, visit the National Indigenous Consumer Strategy website.
Resources to support First Nations consumers
‘Yarrka Barring’ means ‘for guidance; to search for the road or path’ in the Wadawurrung language.
This beautiful phrase came to CAV through our meaningful partnership with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (WTOAC). CAV has permission to use this fitting piece of Wadawurrung Language as our dedicated First Nations helpline name – ‘Yarrka Barring helpline’ – as well as for the name of our website resources for First Nations people.