Talk to the company and tell them why you want to stop paying their bills. If you can't fix the problem with the company, talk to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman.

If you have signed a contract for phone or internet service that you can’t use, contact the company and tell them what has happened.

If you can’t sort out the problem, talk to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO). TIO listens to complaints about telephone and internet services in Australia. You can call them on 1800 062 058.
They can help small business and residential customers by doing dispute resolution. 
Their service is free.

 

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Read
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Text based resources about this topic

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Purchasing a mobile phone

This web page has information for young people about signing a mobile phone contract. 

Owning a mobile phone

This web page has information for young people about mobile phone plans and billing.

Complaint?

This brochure tells you to call the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman to complain about your phone or internet service. The brochure is in Macedonian, Nepalese, Persian, Serbian, Somali, Spanish, Tamil, Swahili, Thai, Tigrinya, Turkish and Vietnamese.

What is the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman?

This factsheet explains what the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) is and how to use their services.

Questions to ask before signing a phone contract

This page gives a list of questions to ask before signing up to a phone contract.

Watch videos about this topic

Watch

Indigenous consumer rights

This video explains the rights Indigenous consumers have under Australian Consumer Law.

 

Mobile phone contracts

This video talks about phone contracts and hanging up on people trying to sell them

 

Out of credit

This video tells you what can happen if you sign up for a phone contract and have problems. It also tells you what to do to make things right.

 

Resources to listen to

Listen

Do you have a problem with your telephone or internet provider?

This MP3 audio tells you about the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman.

 

View graphic resources like posters and photos

Look

How to make a complaint that gets heard

This factsheet tells you how to make a complaint about your phone or internet service.

Click here to view How to make a complaint that gets heard
Phone-paku problem ngaranyi?

This Pitjantjatjara poster tells you to call the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman for help with phone and internet problems.


Dalipunbuy warwu nhuŋ u?

This Yolngu Matha poster tells you to call the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman for help with phone and internet problems.

Click here to view Dalipunbuy warwu nhuŋ u?
Problem Phone Kurlu?

This Warlpiri poster tells you to call the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman for help with phone and internet problems.

Click here to view Problem Phone Kurlu?
Phone problems? (Arrernte)

This Arrernte poster tells you to call the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman for help with phone and internet problems.

Click here to view Phone problems? (Arrernte)
Yoo gud broblum wid yor foan?

This Kriol poster tells you to call the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman for help with phone and internet problems.

Click here to view Yoo gud broblum wid yor foan?
Phone problems?

This poster tells you to call the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman for help with phone and internet problems.

Click here to view Phone problems?

Glossary: What these words mean

contract

A contract is an agreement between two or more people. People agree that they will do something in exchange for money or another favour (action). Contracts can be written down or spoken. For example, when you buy something at the store you are agreeing to pay for the things and they are agreeing to give it to you, so it is a contract.

Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO)

The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) can help you if you have a problem with your phone or internet service. They are an independent agency who work with the phone and internet providers to help you.

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