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| CHOICE (Australia) | |
|---|---|
| Name | CHOICE |
| Formation | 1959 |
| Type | Non-profit consumer advocacy group |
| Headquarters | Melbourne, Victoria |
| Region | Australia |
| Leader title | CEO |
| Leader name | Alan Kirkland |
CHOICE (Australia) is an Australian consumer advocacy and product testing organisation founded in 1959. It operates as an independent membership-funded non-profit that evaluates products, services, and standards to inform everyday decisions for households across Australia. CHOICE engages in public interest campaigns, test purchasing, investigative journalism, and policy submissions to influence regulation at federal and state levels.
CHOICE traces its origins to post-war consumer movements and international precedents such as the Consumers' Association and the Which? model in the United Kingdom. Early activity in the 1960s involved comparative tests of household appliances and advocacy aligned with figures associated with the Australian Council of Trade Unions, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, and consumer-oriented sections of the Commonwealth Public Service. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s CHOICE expanded reporting on pharmaceuticals linked to the Therapeutic Goods Administration and financial products interacting with institutions like the Reserve Bank of Australia and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. In subsequent decades CHOICE campaigned on issues relating to telecommunications involving Telstra, energy retailing tied to the Australian Energy Regulator, and food labelling connected to the Food Standards Australia New Zealand. Notable legal and policy interactions have involved the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, litigation referencing precedents from the High Court of Australia, and coordinated consumer action alongside groups such as the Australian Consumers' Association and international organisations like Consumers International.
CHOICE's mission emphasizes independent testing, research, and advocacy to protect and inform consumers in matters of marketplace transparency, safety, and value. Its activities encompass laboratory testing relevant to manufacturers such as Apple Inc., Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, and Sony Corporation; financial product analysis involving providers like Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Westpac Banking Corporation, and Macquarie Group; and policy submissions to regulators including ACCC and ASIC. CHOICE undertakes campaigns targeting corporate practices by firms such as Woolworths Group, Coles Group, Qantas Airways, and Optus while engaging with parliamentary inquiries in the Australian Parliament and liaising with consumer bureaux across states like Victoria and New South Wales.
CHOICE operates as an incorporated association with governance mechanisms including a board of directors, membership voting, and an executive management team led by a chief executive. The board interacts with external advisory groups, technical panels and legal counsel, and collaborates with academic institutions including University of Melbourne, Monash University, and University of Sydney for specialised expertise. It conforms to reporting frameworks required by regulators such as the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission and complies with obligations under instruments like the Privacy Act 1988 when handling membership data. CHOICE participates in networks with peers including Which?, Consumers Union, and BEUC for cross-jurisdictional advocacy.
CHOICE employs standardized testing protocols using independent laboratories and blind or double-blind methodologies to evaluate product performance, safety and durability. Tests often reference international standards from bodies such as ISO and ASTM International and draw upon scientific techniques utilised in collaborations with institutions like the CSIRO and tertiary research centres. Methodological transparency is maintained through published test criteria, statistical analysis, and repeatability checks; areas tested range from household appliances and automotive safety—drawing on crash-test frameworks similar to those used by ANCAP—to chemical analysis in concert with food science units at institutions such as Deakin University. The organisation adheres to quality controls comparable to those promoted by International Organization for Standardization guidelines.
CHOICE leads public campaigns on issues including forced arbitration clauses, subscription traps, misleading advertising, product safety recalls, and energy pricing reform. Campaigns have confronted practices by multinational firms such as Amazon (company), Facebook, Google LLC, and Samsung and addressed digital consumer rights tied to legislation like the Privacy Act 1988 and regulatory action by the ACCC. CHOICE has mobilised collective complaints, supported test litigations before tribunals including the Federal Court of Australia, and partnered with grassroots groups and policy think tanks such as the Grattan Institute to amplify consumer voices in parliamentary inquiries and policy consultations.
CHOICE publishes a flagship magazine and online portal featuring product reviews, investigative reports, and buying guides referenced by media outlets including the Australian Financial Review, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, and the ABC. It produces special reports on sectors such as banking, telecommunications, and food safety, and utilises multimedia formats including podcasts and video tests distributed via platforms like YouTube and partnerships with broadcasters such as the SBS. CHOICE editorial content often informs coverage by consumer affairs programs and is cited in academic journals and policy analyses produced by institutions like ANU and Griffith University.
CHOICE is primarily funded by individual memberships, subscriptions, and sales of testing publications, supplemented by limited philanthropic grants and bequests. It maintains strict editorial independence by prohibiting commercial advertising linked to entities under test, and publishes governance statements to disclose potential conflicts of interest with donors such as foundations and philanthropic organisations. Membership benefits include access to full test data, legal and consumer advice resources, and opportunities to participate in community consultations and member ballots that influence organisational priorities.
Category:Consumer organisations in Australia