Trying to cancel

Australian Financial Review

? Avoid the runaround.

The Australian Financial Review (AFR) lets you cancel at any time, with a few important conditions depending on how you subscribed.

• No standard lock-in: Most AFR digital and print subscriptions can be cancelled whenever you choose.
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• Cancellation is handled via customer support: AFR generally requires cancellation to be arranged through their support team (not a one-click online cancel button).
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• Telemarketing sign-ups may include a cooling-off period: If you joined via a promotional phone offer, you may have a 10-business-day cooling-off period from the start date where you can cancel without penalty.
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• Annual prepaid subscribers and refunds: If you paid annually upfront, you may be eligible for a pro-rata refund for unused time when more than one month remains in the term. If only a short time remains, you usually won’t receive a refund.
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• App Store / Google Play subscriptions: If you subscribed via Apple App Store or Google Play, you generally must cancel through Apple/Google subscription settings (AFR can’t cancel in-app billing for you).
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• Print + digital bundles: If you’re cancelling mainly due to travel or temporary needs, you may have the option to pause/suspend print delivery rather than cancel completely.

AFR cancellations are typically quickest by phone, but you also have a written request option.

Option 1: Cancel by phone (fastest)

1. Call AFR Subscriber Services.
2. Tell the representative you want to cancel your subscription (or cancel auto-renewal).
3. Have your account details ready (email address used for the subscription, name, and any subscriber/account reference from billing emails).
4. If offered a discount or incentive to stay, decline if you still want to cancel.
5. Ask for written confirmation (email) or a reference number for the cancellation.

Option 2: Submit an online cancellation request

1. Go to the AFR Help Centre.
2. Use the “Submit a request” form and choose the subscription/cancellation category.
3. Provide your subscriber details and clearly state you want to cancel and stop renewal.
4. If you don’t receive a response within a few business days, follow up by phone to ensure it’s been processed.

Option 3: If you subscribed via Apple App Store / Google Play

Cancel directly in your Apple/Google subscription settings. Your access usually continues until the end of the paid period, then stops.

After cancellation: AFR usually keeps your access active until the end of your current billing period, then it won’t renew.

Timing matters most for avoiding another charge.

• 72-hour notice rule: AFR generally requires at least 72 hours (3 days) notice before your next billing date to ensure cancellation is processed in time.
• Effective at end of current billing period: If you cancel mid-cycle, you usually keep access until the end of that paid period (monthly or annual), then it stops.
• Print delivery changes also need lead time: For print subscriptions, changes (including cancellation or pause) may take up to 72 hours to take effect in delivery systems.
• Cooling-off period (some phone offers): If you signed up via telemarketing, cancelling within the 10-business-day cooling-off window can help avoid charges or enable a full reversal of initial charges (depending on the offer terms).

Best practice: Mark your renewal date and start cancellation at least 3–5 days before the next charge so you’re not cutting it fine.

• No early cancellation fee: AFR does not typically charge a separate “termination fee” for cancelling.
• You may still pay for the current period: If your next billing has already processed (or you missed the 72-hour notice window), you might be charged for the upcoming period and the cancellation will apply from the following cycle.
• Monthly subscriptions usually aren’t refunded mid-cycle: If you’ve paid for the month and cancel mid-month, you’ll usually keep access until the month ends rather than receiving a partial refund.
• Annual prepaid subscriptions may be partially refundable: If you cancel an annual prepaid plan with more than one month remaining, AFR may provide a pro-rata refund for unused time (check the exact calculation with support).
• No surprise “admin fees”: Most final amounts are just normal subscription charges already incurred or due to notice timing.