Not sure if you can return your Woolworths purchase?
Can you return an item to Woolworths? Check eligibility first
Woolworths offers a Replace & Refund Guarantee across most items: if you're unhappy with a purchase, they’ll either replace it or refund you. Under Australian Consumer Law, Woolworths must repair, replace or refund faulty goods, and its Fresh or Free Guarantee covers low-quality produce.
Key return eligibility includes:
- ✅ Faulty, damaged, expired, or missing items
- ✅ Poor-quality fresh food under the Fresh or Free Guarantee
- 🚫 Change of mind → Only exchanges, not refunds, within 30 days and only for unopened items in original condition
- ❌ Exclusions → No returns for personal care, underwear, cosmetics, opened perishables, or sale items marked “no returns” unless faulty
- 📄 Proof required → Receipt, Everyday Rewards account, or order confirmation
How to return an item to Woolworths
Returning a Woolies item? Here’s how:
- In-store purchases: Bring the item, proof of purchase, and valid ID to the Service Desk. You’ll get a refund or exchange on the spot for eligible items.
- Online orders: Go to My Orders in your account or use the app/live chat to request a return. You can also call 1300 767 969.
- Everyday Market returns: Submit a return through your account or Woolworths support. Woolworths will cover postage for faulty items or approved exchanges.
No receipt? You might still get store credit at the current selling price.
Woolworths return timeframes and item conditions
- 30-day limit: For change-of-mind exchanges, returns must be started within 30 days.
- Fresh food: Must be returned before its best-before or use-by date.
- Condition: Change-of-mind returns must be unopened, unused, with original tags/packaging.
- No receipt: You may get a gift card or store credit instead of a refund.
Woolworths does not charge restocking fees, but clearance items are final unless faulty.
Who pays for Woolworths return shipping?
- Faulty or damaged items: Woolworths covers return shipping.
- Everyday Market returns: You’ll get a prepaid return label for eligible items.
- Change-of-mind returns: You may need to pay postage, but Woolworths sometimes offers free return vouchers.
- Delivery fees: If the delivery mistake is Woolworths’ fault, they’ll often credit the delivery fee too.
Always follow the specific instructions in your return request.
Woolworths refunds after a return - how and when you’ll get your money back
- 💳 Refund method: Back to your original card/gift card, or in-store as cash/voucher if that’s how you paid.
- ⏳ Timing: Refunds take around 3–7 business days post-approval. Many customers report seeing refunds within a week.
- 🧾 No receipt? You’ll likely get store credit via a Woolworths Gift Card.
- ⚠️ Exceptions: Items like electronics may have warranty-specific processes.
Woolworths cases submitted through Ajust
Bought a cooking pot from Woolworths that claimed to work on all cooktops – but it doesn’t work on my induction. Tried using it 3 times, nothing. Took it back to the Neutral Bay store but without the receipt they refused to help. The manager wouldn’t even speak to me. Not a good look. - Pamela McLeland
Bought fresh pork chops from Woolworths with a use-by date of 29 July – opened them the next day and they reeked. So bad even my dogs wouldn’t touch it. I want a refund. I shouldn’t be paying for spoiled meat. - Arlene Webb
Returned a sandal to Woolworths after it broke – no receipt because I trusted the quality. They said it would be assessed, but I’ve heard nothing back. It’s been over a month. No feedback, no solution. - Mapula Magi
Went in to get a SodaStream refill credit and was told I had to buy a new one for each empty. A few weeks back they said I could bring one in later for credit. Why offer a return credit if you’re not going to honour it? - Chris Scott
Customer experiences with Woolworths returns
✅ Fast resolution: “I used live chat after an online order missed a few items. They refunded me instantly, with no drama.”
😬 Hit and miss in-store: A shopper tried to return spoiled cheese under Fresh or Free, but staff refused. The customer had to push back using their rights to get it resolved.
Official Woolworths Returns Resources & Links
Woolworths Return FAQs
Can I return an item to Woolworths if I just changed my mind?
Yes, but only for exchanges, no refunds for change-of-mind returns. Items must be unopened, unused, and returned within 30 days. You’ll need your receipt or proof of purchase, and some categories like underwear or cosmetics are excluded. If eligible, you can get an exchange or store credit, but not a refund.
What counts as a valid reason to return something to Woolworths?
You can return items that are faulty, damaged, expired, missing, or poor-quality fresh produce. Woolworths follows Australian Consumer Law, and their Fresh or Free Guarantee also covers subpar fresh items. You must provide proof like a receipt or account details to qualify.
How do I return something I bought online from Woolworths?
For online orders, log into your account, go to "My Orders," or use the app or live chat to request a return. You can also call 1300 767 969. Faulty items get free return shipping; change-of-mind returns may not. Refunds usually process within 3–7 business days once approved.
What if I don’t have my Woolworths receipt anymore?
You might still be eligible for store credit at the item’s current selling price. Proof like an Everyday Rewards account or order confirmation helps, but without it, you’ll likely receive a gift card instead of a full refund.
Every day you wait, your refund gets harder.
Don’t let the return window close. Let’s check if you’re still covered.