Is that gift card really expired?
Most gift cards sold in Australia must last at least three years. Shops get this wrong often enough to be worth checking.
3 years
the minimum a gift card must last from the day it was supplied, with limited exceptions
What this is
Most gift cards sold to consumers in Australia must be valid for at least three years from the day they were supplied, and the expiry has to be shown. There are exceptions, including cards given away in a promotion, sold at a genuine discount, or available only for a set period. Retailers get this wrong often enough that a card treated as expired is worth a second look.
Does it apply to you?
- Anyone holding a card a shop says has expired
- Anyone about to buy gift cards as presents
- Anyone holding a card for a business in financial difficulty
How to do it
- Check the date it was bought, not only the date printed on the card.
- Ask the retailer to honour it, citing the three-year rule.
- Some cards are exempt, including ones given away in a promotion, sold at a genuine discount or available only for a set period.
- If a business that issued your card goes under, you become an unsecured creditor. Spend cards early rather than saving them.
Where people lose the money
Binning a card because the printed date has passed.
Check the supply date against the three-year rule first. The printed date is not always the lawful one.
Saving a card for a special occasion.
If the business fails you become an unsecured creditor and usually get nothing. Spend it.
Questions
Does the three-year rule apply to every card?
No. Promotional giveaways, cards sold at a genuine discount, cards available only for a set period and some charity or government cards are outside it.
Can a retailer charge me a fee for using it?
Post-supply fees on gift cards are restricted. Fees for things like a replacement card may still apply, and should be disclosed.
What if the business has gone into administration?
Gift card holders are generally unsecured creditors, which usually means little or nothing is recovered. It is the strongest argument for spending cards promptly.
Where these numbers come from
- ACCC, Gift cards and discount vouchers · read 2026-09-22
Last gone over 2026-09-22. Figures change; the link above is always the current one.