Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2022 i CHOICE

If you have diabetes, you may need an insulin pump as part of your treatment. If such a pump is provided to you as part of an episode of treatment in a hospital, and you have an appropriate hospital policy, private health insurers are required to pay benefits towards the cost of the pump, as well as the hospital accommodation fees and the doctor’s fee. Some insurers also choose to cover the cost of insulin pumps in cases where hospitalisation isn’t required – this is listed in the ‘Gold’ group of cover options. Normally, insulin pump cover only comes with expensive Gold level policies. However, if insulin pump coverage is the only aspect of top-level Gold cover you need, you could be paying more than you have to. Our CHOICE…

In some remote Northern Territory communities, almost all households experienced an energy disconnection during the 2018–19 financial year, according to a new study from the Australian National University. Nine in 10 households studied had experienced an energy disconnection, and researchers warned that prepaid energy arrangements were putting people at risk, especially on very hot days. The data was gathered from smart meters for 3300 households in 28 remote Indigenous communities. It shows that almost three in four (74%) households using prepaid electricity meters had their household power disconnected more than 10 times. “Remote Indigenous communities suffer severe energy insecurity, which worsens during extreme temperatures,” ANU’s Dr Thomas Longden says. “These households are more likely to experience disconnection from electricity on very hot or very cold days. Remote communities are not…

In Australia, we love our pets – almost seven in 10 of us own at least one. In fact, more households have a pet than dependent children, and COVID-19 has only seen an increase in dog and cat adoptions as people spend more time at home. But pets don’t always come cheap. Every year, we spend an estimated $13 billion on their care, with about 20% of ongoing costs associated with vet care. But with advances in pet medicine, more treatments on offer and some individual veterinary practices being more profit-driven than others, how do you know if you’re paying too much or receiving unnecessary treatments? Will pet insurance save you money? And how can you keep costs down if you’re on a budget? CHOICE mystery shop We decided to…

When you sign up to a BNPL provider, you’re consenting to the collection, storage and use of your information by both the provider and their third parties or partners. This is stated in their privacy policies, but not many people read these. We looked at the privacy policies and data use of some the major BNPLs to find out what data they have on you, who they’re sharing it with, and what the risks are. Data analytics Data is a valuable commodity to BNPL providers. It can be used to gain insights into customers, track spending habits, identify trends, assess the success of ad campaigns and analyse customer behaviour. The information is then used to boost revenue and profit through customisation, personalised ad content and the development of new products.…

Air conditioners, fridges, freezers and clothes dryers are some of the biggest energy guzzlers in our homes. But TVs and home entertainment systems can use a surprising amount of energy too. If you want to lower your energy bills, the good news is you don’t have to limit the number of binge worthy shows you’re watching. We look at some of the most and least energy-hungry appliances we’ve tested to find out how much you could save. TVs According to IBISWorld, Australians spend an average of two hours and 21 minutes watching TV each day. Plus, most people leave TVs permanently plugged in and on standby when not in use, which adds to their energy costs. But there are ways you can reduce the amount of electricity your TV uses.…

If you love to bake, your oven will be in regular use, so it’s important to take care of it. When we assess an oven, its ‘cleanability’ is an important part of our ease of use score and takes many factors into consideration. We check how easy it is to clean the glass (on the outside and inside), whether the glass and door can be removed, and whether the exterior surfaces are fingerprint- and smudge-resistant. We also check whether you can easily remove the shelf supports and telescopic runners and fit them into the sink (or dishwasher, if recommended) for cleaning. Plus, can you lower the grill element to clean the ceiling, and is there a smokeless grill tray to avoid splatters when grilling? But whatever the oven’s features, it…

Whipper snipper, strimmer, weed whacker, brushcutter or weed eater, whatever you call it, a line trimmer is a versatile tool that can take your lawn to the next level. They can trim long grass around trees, fences and posts, tidy up your edges, tame foliage on rocky or uneven ground where a mower isn’t suitable, and some models can take on heavy brush, shrubs and brambles. They can even completely replace the need for a lawnmower for smaller lawns. But this versatility means getting the right line trimmer for your needs is very important. Here’s what you need to consider. Petrol or electric? PETROL LINE TRIMMERS Petrol trimmers tend to be more powerful than cordless models and they’re quick to refuel, so they’re a great choice for professionals or if…

Our long-serving rogues’ gallery of dodgy ads, toe-curling typos and misadventures in marketing, as sent in by you – our tickled, angered and bewildered readers. And thanks to the timeless shonkiness of so much advertising, you’re always spoilt for choice – so keep ‘em coming. Email high quality unedited photos to hardword@choice.com.au. This month, thanks go to Tim Donkers (Into whipping?), David Marland (See us after class), Dee Watkinson (A bit fishy) and Don Weston (What’s in a name?). A BIT FISHY Look out for crumbed fillets swimming in the wild. SEE US AFTER CLASS We’re giving Woolies an F for its ‘Back to School’ section. WHAT’S IN A NAME? A lot – when it’s clearly Austria. INTO WHIPPING? Well now you can do it anywhere.…

Viagogo breached consumer law, says NSW Government Online ticket reseller Viagogo has breached the Fair Trading Act and Australian Consumer Law, according to New South Wales Fair Trading. The state body says its investigation into the ticket scalping website from last year is ongoing and has issued a fresh warning to customers not to buy from the company. “When it comes to transactions between Australia-based consumers and off-shore businesses, I urge consumers to heed our warnings and refrain from doing business with companies such as Viagogo that refuse to comply with Australian law,” Minister for Fair Trading Eleni Petinos says. Since June 2018, people have lodged 510 complaints about Viagogo with Fair Trading. Recent examples of complaints were for tickets being sold at hugely inflated prices for children’s events such…

People expect to buy goods and services that work. So when they don’t work, they should easily be able to enforce their consumer guarantee rights. But businesses currently put up barriers, which can end up costing people when they’re trying to get a repair, replacement or refund for faulty goods. This is why CHOICE and our partners made a submission to the Federal Treasury as part of its consultation on improving the effectiveness of the consumer guarantee and supplier indemnification provisions in the Australian Consumer Law. In our submission, we argued that when businesses don’t give consumers the remedy to which they’re entitled, it’s often the consumers who end up paying the costs. The stories that supporters shared helped us make it clear to the Treasury that there are real-life…

It’s been a tough couple of years for would-be travellers, many of whom have discovered that businesses seem to make up their own rules when travel plans get cancelled. Since March 2020, almost half (47%) of Australians have had to cancel travel plans due to COVID-19 risks, border closures or lockdowns. In July last year, we reported that fewer than one in five of the 4060 people we surveyed got a full refund after their trips were scuttled in 2020 due to the pandemic. Since then we’ve heard from many others who’ve also been left empty-handed and uncertain about their rights. T&Cs leave customers guessing The terms and conditions (T&Cs) that have enabled travel providers to keep people’s money were often self-serving and complicated, leaving customers both confused and out…

Q I live in rural Victoria, and have so far been unable to find a digital radio that operates in my area. How do I know if one of the digital radios you have recommended in your review can access ABC 774? A CHOICE Digital radio expertPeter Zaluzny: Digital radio isn’t available nationwide, but you can check to see if there’s coverage in your area by entering your postcode at digitalradioplus.com.au/can-i-getdigital-radio. I had a look for you and unfortunately there’s no digital radio in your area at this time. Though it may come in the future, it’s probably not likely as digital radio hasn’t become as popular as digital TV broadcasting so the rollout has more or less stopped. Apart from listening to ABC 774 on a regular AM/FM radio,…

Whether it’s switching to a better-value health insurance policy, learning how you can cool your home more efficiently or dropping some expensive habits, our CHOICE experts have crunched the numbers to show where savings can be made over a year. A hundred dollars here and there adds up, after all! 1. Switch health insurance If you haven’t reviewed your health insurance in a while, there’s no time like the present. New research from CHOICE experts shows that you could save between $550 and $1520 a year on Gold hospital cover simply by switching to a different fund. CHOICE health insurance expert Uta Mihm says, “The same cover with a different insurer can be hundreds of dollars cheaper so we encourage you to shop around to see if there is a…

In a survey by Super Consumers Australia, more than four in five pre-retirees say they find retirement planning at least moderately complex. “My wife and I found getting the information needed to make decisions about the ongoing financial security in retirement was very problematic,” retiree Robert tells us in the survey. “We went to several financial advisers including the one contracted by [our] super fund but found none wanted to know us because we did not want to purchase products from them – we just wanted advice and information about how the system worked. “The whole system should be made simpler, easier to understand with easily accessible advisers provided who can advise, explain and do the calculations for you.” As we’ll see in this article, the resources you may need…

Stick blenders, also known as hand blenders, are a convenient and versatile kitchen appliance. They’re perfect for quick jobs such as blending soup, puréeing baby food or whipping up mayonnaise. They're more compact than a regular blender, and in most cases are cheaper and easier to use, too. Many also include a small processing/chopping attachment and extra accessories such as a whisk attachment. High-end models may also have blades for shredding and slicing, making them a good alternative to a full-sized food processor. In the past, we’ve found that almost all stick blenders are excellent at blending and emulsifying, so we no longer do these tests. Instead, we test stick blenders that come with a separate chopper/processor attachment and assess these functions. Stick blenders vs benchtop blenders Benchtop blenders tend…

When it comes to thorough carpet and floor cleaning, it pays to have a barrel or upright vacuum cleaner at home. You’ll also need to decide the type of dust collector you’re after – a bin or a bag. Our peak performers tend to be the most expensive, with some setting you back more than $1000. But you can also pick up some impressive models at a fraction of the cost, so do your research before you splash your hard-earned cash. Choose wisely Think about what type of vacuum you need for your home or circumstances. Here’s what you need to consider. BARREL VACUUMS These are the most popular type, ideal for thorough cleaning of large floor areas – you pull the main unit behind you as you clean. They’re…

A good quality pressure cleaner can easily blast away years of dirt and grime that’s accumulated on your walls, fences, footpaths and so on. You’d be surprised by how nice, and new, the outside of your house can look after a little clean. But the amount of water these things use does seem somewhat environmentally unfriendly – and costly. In reality, however, they actually use far less water than the average garden hose, so used wisely, they can cut down on your water bill. Take the pressure off your cash flow Models in our test use between two and about eight-and-a-half litres of water per minute, which works out to be 120–510 litres an hour while in operation. That means you’re adding approximately $0.24–1.02 to your water bill every hour,…

In February, CHOICE made a submission to the Attorney General’s Department Review of the Privacy Act. Our recommendations to the review were underpinned by three desired outcomes. The first is to recognise the increasing value of data in the Australian economy. We want an expanded definition of ‘personal information’ that acknowledges that insights generated on consumer behaviour, sentiment and preferences are of equal use and value to traditional types of personal information, and therefore should be appropriately regulated. The second outcome we want is a digital landscape where companies (or other entities) don’t exploit so-called ‘information asymmetries’. In other words, when somebody supplies their personal information, they should expect it to be used for the express purpose of the particular good or service. They shouldn’t expect it to be used…

The Consumer Data Right is meant to give us more control over the services we use by telling us more about how we use them. In late January 2022, that right was extended to telecommunications data, following the earlier rollout of access to both banking and energy use data.“The consumer data right provides individuals and businesses with a right to efficiently and conveniently access specified data that relates to them held by businesses, and to authorise secure access to this data by accredited third parties,” the federal government said in a statement. “The consumer data right is designed to give customers more control over their information leading, for example, to more choice in where they take their business.” In other words, we can now ask our telco providers to let…

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has launched two investigations into the price gouging of COVID-19 rapid antigen tests (RATs) in NSW and Queensland in response to referrals from the ACCC. The AFP warned businesses and individuals that under the Biosecurity Act, people found to have bought RATs in a retail setting and resold them for more than a 20% markup face up to five years imprisonment. The federal government moved to designate RATs a protected item under the Biosecurity Act in January in response to widespread reports of exorbitant price gouging. The designation means RATs can’t be resold with high markups, but does nothing to regulate how much a retailer that bought from a wholesaler can charge. It comes as CHOICE continues to raise concerns about price gouging and receive…

The ACCC started court proceedings against the online book retailer Booktopia late last year for contravening a central tenet of consumer law – the right to a refund. Between January 2020 and November 2021, the regulator alleges that Booktopia informed customers on its website that they had to notify the business of a faulty, damaged or incorrect product within two days of delivery to be able to get a refund or other remedy. Worse, it said no refunds were available at all for certain products, including digital content and ebooks. Booktopia denied refunds or other remedies to 19 customers who missed the two-day time limit. “Consumers who buy digital products or buy products online have the same rights as those who shop in physical stores,” says ACCC chair Rod Sims.…

For anyone with a sweet tooth, it’s hard to go past a good block of milk chocolate, with its combination of creaminess from the milk, bitterness from the cocoa solids and just the right amount of sugar. We know that loitering in a supermarket’s confectionery aisle, trying to decide what to buy, can put unwanted stress on your willpower. So we’ve taken one for the team by taste-testing and comparing 24 milk chocolates, from brands including Cadbury, Lindt, Whittakers and Nestlé. Best tasting milk chocolate We assess milk chocolates for both taste and nutrition, and recommend those that receive a CHOICE Expert Rating of 70% or more. Of the 24 products we tested, just three make that list. Aldi Moser Roth Finest Milk Chocolate ● CHOICEExpert Rating: 81% ● Price…

If you have precious jewellery, documents and other items to protect from fire and burglars, then it can be worthwhile installing a home safe. And of course if you own firearms, a safe is a legal requirement in Australia. But do you need to spend big to get something decent, or can a cheap safe do the job? It all depends on what features you want and how secure you need the safe to be. All safes offer some degree of theft protection, but in the case of very cheap and basic models, the level of protection is pretty low. Many of these can be opened with a basic tool such as a screwdriver, hammer or even in some cases a magnet. By contrast, a high-quality safe is unlikely to…

Is your health insurance policy really giving you the best value for money? With most funds raising premiums on 1 April, now is the time to review your cover. At CHOICE, our health insurance experts have found that you can save hundreds of dollars simply by switching to a different insurer. Compare your current policy with our recommended policies. If you can afford it, prepay the full annual premium before 1 April to lock in the cheaper premium for the next 12 months. As a bonus, a number of funds also give you a discount of up to four percent if you prepay for the year, or pay by direct debit. A number of funds will increase their premium later this year: ● 1 September for Medibank, AHM and NIB…

In years gone by, an Australian family could live quite comfortably on a single income. But times have changed, and although standards of living have gone up – witness the size of the TV in your loungeroom and the cars in your garage – so too has the cost of living. These days, many households are finding it hard to make ends meet, even with all adults working fulltime. The 888 campaign The standard of living in Australia improved dramatically with the introduction of the 40-hour week. This change heralded a good balance between work and home life: eight hours a day of work, eight hours of recreation, and eight hours of rest (in some parts of the country, you can still see ‘888’ emblazoned on trade union buildings in…

As the COVID-19 era rolls ever along, air purifiers have been in the news, being promoted and purchased in their tens of thousands as an aid to keeping homes, offices and schoolrooms safe. So it’s timely to look at what an air purifier actually can do to keep indoor air clean, and what other benefits they can offer. We’ll also point out their limitations and why they’re not a magic solution to health and pollution problems. What can an air purifier do? HELP REMOVE POLLUTION SUCH AS DUST AND SMOKE A good air purifier will help clear the air inside your home of dust, pollen, smoke and smells. Most models have carbon filters, which help trap odours, and HEPA filters or ionisation filters which trap dust and smoke. A purifier…