Overview

In Australia approximately 34 million gift cards are sold each year. One of the commonly used terms and conditions of gift cards are expiry dates. Of the gift cards sold a certain percentage are not redeemed before they expire.

Consumers can experience the disappointment of an expired gift card. When a gift card expires before it can be used a consumer experiences the personal detriment from the loss of value on a gift card. Many recipients of gift cards are not aware of the expiry dates for gift cards they are given. In these circumstances those consumers expect their gift cards to last for a reasonable time.

This regulatory impact assessment on gift card examines the issue of gift card expiry dates and presents three options to reduce consumer detriment.