Australian store return policies compared: Kmart, Bunnings, Myer, JB Hi-Fi and more (2026)

Every big Australian retailer sets its own change of mind rules, and they differ a lot. Some give you a week, some give you two months, one gives you no deadline at all, and one won't take online orders back for change of mind. This guide compares the published policies at ten of the biggest stores, as at 23 October 2026, with links to our full guide for each store where we have one.

Return policies at a glance

Which stores give you the longest to return something?

Bunnings gives you the most time. Its policy offers change of mind returns and exchanges without stating any time limit, as long as the item is unused, in its original packaging and you have the receipt.

Kmart, Target and ALDI all give 60 days. Myer, David Jones, Officeworks and JB Hi-Fi give 30, and JB stretches that to 90 days for CDs, DVDs and console games. Chemist Warehouse gives 7 days, and its list of exclusions covers medicines, fragrances, vitamins and baby formula.

Harvey Norman is the strictest for online shoppers. Harvey Norman Online says it won't refund change of mind purchases until further notice, and in-store purchases are handled by each independently owned franchised store.

OnePass members can get up to 365 days at Kmart, Target, Officeworks and Priceline. There are conditions, though. After day 60 Kmart gives an exchange voucher rather than a refund, Officeworks excludes technology, and returns have to be made in store. Our OnePass returns guide has the details.

Christmas returns in 2026

Only one of these stores has a Christmas extension written into its standing policy. Myer lets you return items bought in November or December until the end of January. David Jones offered the same thing for the 2024 season, but as of 23 October 2026 its returns page doesn't publish an extension for this year.

Everywhere else, the normal window applies. That still covers a lot of gifts. At a 60-day store like Kmart, Target or ALDI, anything bought from 1 December can go back until about the end of January. At a 30-day store, a gift bought in mid-December needs to go back by mid-January. If you're buying early, ask for a gift receipt and keep the packaging.

Kmart and Target also exclude Christmas and other event products from the OnePass 365-day window after day 60.

Returning something without a receipt

Most stores need proof of purchase for change of mind returns, but what counts as proof varies:

• Kmart accepts a photo of the full receipt with its barcode, a digital receipt or an itemised OnePass statement, but not a bank statement
• ALDI generally accepts bank statements, credit card statements and warranty cards that show the price
• Bunnings will give you an exchange voucher or swap the item for similar goods without a receipt, and records your ID
• Officeworks may give an exchange or gift card without a receipt, at its discretion, and asks for ID on items over $50
• JB Hi-Fi won't refund without a receipt, but the store you bought from can reprint it

For faulty products, the rules are looser. Under Australian Consumer Law you need to show you bought the item from that store, but proof doesn't have to be the receipt. A card statement or an online order number can be enough.

Store policy vs your legal rights

A store's returns policy covers change of mind: you no longer want the item, it doesn't fit, or you found it cheaper somewhere else. Stores don't have to offer change of mind returns at all, but if they advertise a policy, they have to honour it.

Faulty products are different. The consumer guarantees under Australian Consumer Law apply automatically. If something has a major failure, you can choose a refund or a replacement. If the problem is minor, the store can choose to repair it. Change of mind time limits and exclusions don't apply to faulty items, and signs that say "no refunds" are misleading if they suggest you can't get a remedy for a faulty product. Our guides to change of mind refund laws in Australia and faulty vs change of mind returns go into more detail.

Store-by-store return guides

• Kmart and Target returns
• Officeworks returns
• JB Hi-Fi returns
• Harvey Norman returns
• ALDI returns
• Myer returns
• David Jones returns
• Chemist Warehouse returns
• Electronics return policies in Australia compared
• OnePass 365-day returns explained

FAQs

Which Australian store has the best return policy?

On time alone, Bunnings is the most generous: its policy doesn't set a time limit for change of mind returns. Kmart, Target and ALDI give 60 days, and OnePass members get up to 365 days at Kmart, Target, Officeworks and Priceline, with conditions.

Do stores in Australia have to give refunds for change of mind?

No. Change of mind returns are a store's choice. But if a store has a change of mind policy, it has to stick to it, and every store has to provide a remedy when a product is faulty under the consumer guarantees.

Which stores extend returns over Christmas in 2026?

Myer's standing policy lets you return November and December purchases until the end of January. As of 23 October 2026, Kmart, Target, Bunnings, Officeworks, JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, ALDI, David Jones and Chemist Warehouse don't publish a Christmas extension.

Can you return something without a receipt in Australia?

It depends on the store and the reason. For change of mind, most stores need proof of purchase, though Bunnings gives an exchange voucher without one and ALDI accepts bank statements. For faulty items, consumer law lets you use other proof, such as a card statement.

Are 'no refunds' signs legal in Australia?

Not if they suggest you can't get a refund for a faulty product. A store can refuse change of mind refunds, but it can't take away your rights under the consumer guarantees.

Last checked: 23 October 2026. Every policy above comes from the store's own website, and stores change their policies, so check the store's site before you return something. Refundid isn't affiliated with any of these stores. This is general information only and should not be considered legal advice.