Electronics return policies in Australia compared: JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, Officeworks and Kmart

Key takeaways

JB Hi-Fi and Officeworks give 30 days for change of mind on unopened electronics, Kmart gives 60, and Harvey Norman Online gives none.
Opening the box usually ends your change of mind rights. JB may still take an unused online order back, minus a 20% restocking fee.
If the product is faulty, the consumer guarantees apply at every store, and they can last longer than the manufacturer's warranty.

A laptop you don't need or a TV that doesn't suit the room is an expensive mistake, and the rules on opened boxes, restocking fees and change of mind vary a lot between the big Australian retailers. This guide compares what JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, Officeworks, Kmart and David Jones publish, as at 23 October 2026.

Electronics return policies at a glance

Store	Change of mind	Opened items	Fees	OnePass
JB Hi-Fi	30 days, unused and unopened. Headphones must be sealed. No refunds on PC games or software	Online orders: at JB's discretion	20% restocking fee on accepted opened items, delivery not refunded	Not part of OnePass
Officeworks	30 days in store, unused and in original packaging. ID over $50	No separate rule published	None published	365 days, but tech is excluded
Kmart	60 days, unused and unassembled. Phones and modems only if unopened	Must be unused, unassembled and in original packaging	Collection fee on white goods and bulky items	365 days, exchange voucher after day 60
Harvey Norman	Online: no change of mind refunds. In store: up to each franchisee	Not stated	None published	Not part of OnePass
David Jones	30 days, but Apple products are excluded	Sealed packaging must be intact	None published for electronics	Not part of OnePass

What's the best return policy for expensive electronics?

If you're buying something expensive and might change your mind, keep it sealed until you're sure. JB Hi-Fi gives a full refund within 30 days on anything unused and unopened with the packaging in good condition. Officeworks gives 30 days in store if the item is unused, as sold and in its original packaging, and asks for ID on anything over $50. Kmart gives 60 days on the electronics it sells, but mobile phones and modems have to be unopened.

Harvey Norman is the one to be careful with. Harvey Norman Online won't refund change of mind purchases until further notice. Each Harvey Norman store is an independent franchisee and the website points you to the store for in-store purchases, so ask about change of mind before you pay.

David Jones gives 30 days on most things but excludes Apple products from change of mind returns altogether.

Open box and change of mind fees

JB Hi-Fi is the only one of these stores that publishes a restocking fee for opened electronics. Its online terms of sale say that if goods are unused but have been unpacked, JB may accept them back at its absolute discretion, charge 20% of the original price and keep the delivery charge. JB doesn't say whether stores apply the same rule to in-store purchases.

Kmart charges a collection fee if you return white goods or big and bulky products for change of mind. David Jones has a 25% restocking fee, but only when you cancel a large or bulky item. Officeworks, Harvey Norman and ALDI don't publish restocking fees.

Headphones have stricter rules. JB Hi-Fi only takes them back for change of mind if they're completely unopened, for hygiene reasons, and Kmart has the same rule for phones and modems. Software and PC games can't be refunded for change of mind at JB or Officeworks.

OnePass and electronics

OnePass gives members up to 365 days for change of mind at Kmart, Target, Officeworks and Priceline. For electronics it's less useful than it sounds. Officeworks excludes technology products from its 365-day window, and after day 60, Kmart and Target give an exchange voucher or Returns Card instead of a refund. Our OnePass returns guide covers the rest of the conditions.

When electronics are faulty

Everything above is about change of mind. If a product is faulty, the consumer guarantees under Australian Consumer Law apply at every store, whether or not it offers change of mind returns. For a major failure you can choose a refund or a replacement. For a minor failure, the store can choose to repair it.

Those rights don't end when the manufacturer's warranty does. They last for as long as is reasonable for a product of that type and price, so an expensive TV can be expected to last longer than a cheap one. The store that sold it to you is responsible. JB Hi-Fi's own staff code says staff shouldn't tell you the manufacturer is solely responsible, and it can arrange a free courier for faulty returns. JB also publishes minimum periods during which it will offer a refund, then a repair or replacement, based on the price of the product.

Our guide to faulty vs change of mind returns explains major and minor failures in more detail.

Do you need an extended warranty?

JB Hi-Fi sells Extra Care and Harvey Norman sells Product Care. Both are paid plans that sit on top of your consumer guarantee rights. They don't replace them.

Read the detail before you buy. Harvey Norman's Product Care starts only once the manufacturer's warranty ends, and it doesn't cover faults that already entitle you to a refund or replacement under consumer law. JB's Extra Care doesn't cover accidental damage, and you can cancel it within 15 days of getting your product. Neither is needed to claim a remedy for a faulty product under the consumer guarantees.

FAQs

Which Australian store has the best return policy for expensive electronics?

For change of mind on a sealed product, JB Hi-Fi and Officeworks both give 30 days, and Kmart gives 60 days on the electronics it sells, with phones and modems only if unopened. Harvey Norman Online doesn't offer change of mind refunds. For faults, every store is bound by the same consumer guarantees.

Can you return opened electronics for change of mind in Australia?

Usually not for a full refund. JB Hi-Fi, Officeworks, Kmart and Chemist Warehouse all expect change of mind returns to be unused and in their original packaging. JB may accept an opened but unused online order at its discretion, minus a 20% restocking fee.

Do Australian stores charge open box or change of mind fees?

JB Hi-Fi's online terms set a 20% restocking fee when it accepts an unpacked but unused product. Kmart charges a collection fee to return white goods and bulky items for change of mind. Officeworks, Harvey Norman and ALDI don't publish restocking fees.

Do I need an extended warranty to get a faulty TV fixed?

No. The consumer guarantees under Australian Consumer Law apply without one and can last beyond the manufacturer's warranty, for as long as is reasonable for a product of that type and price. An extended warranty adds to those rights. It doesn't replace them.

Does OnePass give 365-day returns on electronics?

Not at Officeworks, which excludes technology products from its OnePass 365-day returns. Kmart doesn't exclude tech from its 365-day window, but returns after day 60 get an exchange voucher, not a refund.

Related guides

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.