Returns Policy

We want to ensure your shopping experience with Australian Geographic is exceptional, for this reason we have a 14-day return policy, which means you have 14 days after receiving your item to request a return. Australian Consumer Law applies to all products we sell, and this Returns Policy does not seek to counter any rights you have under the Australian Consumer Law that you cannot agree to waive or change.

Eligible returns will entitle you to a store credit of the item’s purchase price or to exchange the item for another item of the same price, less a restocking fee. Your original shipping fees cannot be refunded, and all returns must be delivered to our warehouse at your own expense. Store credit will be valid for 12 months from issue.

Eligibility for Return

To be ELIGIBLE for return, your item must be:

• in the same condition as when you received it
• must be in new and resaleable condition, unused and unopened in the original box
• unworn or unused, with tags
• all packing material, instruction manuals, warranty insert, and other included accessories must be returned in original condition
• a receipt or proof of purchase from the Australian Geographic online store will be required

An item is NOT ELIGIBLE for return if:

• your return request is lodged after 14 days from delivery
• original packaging is missing, damaged or altered in any way
• the product has been used, including when we deem there are obvious signs of use, or an admission of use
• the product is a ‘clearance’, ‘sale’, ‘gift card’ or another item marked as non-returnable
• the product was not purchased through the Australian Geographic online store

Australian Geographic retains the right to refuse any returns if they do not meet our eligibility criteria. Our customer service team may request photos or videos of the product to assist with the returns process. Returns that are received and do not meet our eligibility criteria can be returned to you at your expense.

Certain types of items cannot be returned, like perishable goods (such as food, flowers, or plants), custom products (such as special orders or personalized items), and personal care goods (such as beauty products). We also do not accept returns for sale items, gift cards, hazardous materials, flammable liquids, or gases. Please get in touch if you have questions or concerns about your specific item and read individual product descriptions for any exceptions to the return policy.

*Please see our ‘Special returns process for Optical Products’ section below

Special returns process for Optical Products

All optical products (telescopes, microscopes and binoculars) are eligible for return within 14 days of delivery. Return requests after 14 days of delivery will not be accepted. Returns can only be accepted when the product remains unopened, unused and returned in its original condition so please make your purchase decision carefully and contact our staff if you have any questions.

To be eligible for a return, any optical products must be:

• in new and resalable condition, unused and unopened in the original box
• all packing material, instruction manuals, warranty insert, and other included accessories must be returned in original condition
• outer packaging must not be damaged or altered in any way
• returned to our warehouse at the customers expense and packaged appropriately to ensure the item arrives in original condition. We are not responsible for any damage caused to products in transit from the customer to the warehouse, so please ensure you package your product appropriately.
• returned to our warehouse within 10 business days of lodging your return request

All change of mind and exchange returns for optical products are subject to a restocking fee. Our customer service team may request photos or videos of the product to assist with the returns process. Please consider your product purchase carefully and contact our customer service team if you have any questions.

Returns Process

If an item you want to return meets our eligibility requirements, the first step is for you to contact us at [email protected]. We will send you a return form to complete and may request photos or videos of the product to assist with the returns process. If we agree that your return meets our eligibility requirements, we will provide you with instructions on how and where to send your package. Please note that we will not accept an Item for return unless you work through the return process we’ve outlined above.

You can always contact us for any return questions at [email protected].

Restocking Fees

Restocking fees will be charged for change of mind or exchange returns. For all products excluding optical products, the restocking fee is $5.50 + 2% of your order value. Optical product returns attract a restocking fee up to $29.95 + 2% of your order value. We will deduct these amounts from the store credit we give you.

Why do we charge a restocking fee? This fee covers warehouse and admin costs we incur when we receive items back if you change your mind about a purchase or want to return it. Consistent with our mission to donate all profits we make to the Australian Geographic Society, we need to cover costs arising from additional services we provide our customers.

Damages and Issues

Please inspect your order upon receipt and contact us immediately if the item is defective, damaged, or if you receive the wrong item. We will repair, replace or refund your product as per the conditions set out under the Australian Consumer Law.

In cases where we cannot determine if a product is faulty via correspondence with you, you will need to return the product to us at your own expense. You may be eligible to receive a store credit to the value of your return shipping if we assess the product as defective after we inspect it.

Processing times for returns

Returns are processed within 5-10 business days of our warehouse receiving them. Optical product returns require more detailed inspection and therefore may take up to 15-20 business days to be processed. Please ensure you ship your return with a delivery service that allows your parcel to be tracked. This will let you see when we receive your delivery and can assist our warehouse if for any reason your parcel is delayed. Failure to supply any requested material may result in us considering your return as ineligible.

If your delivery is to somewhere outside Australia, shipment times may take longer than expected.

Return to sender

If your order cannot be delivered and is marked as return to sender due to you providing an incorrect address, refusing delivery, not collecting your delivery in time or other similar reasons, we will let you know and work with you to agree on next steps. A return fee will be charged. You will also be responsible to pay for any additional freight charges if you wish for the product to be resent. To avoid disappointment, please ensure you double-check all delivery addresses.

European Union 3 day cooling off period

In addition to the return processes above, if you are in the European Union, you have the right to cancel or return your order for a full refund, for any or no reason, within 3 days of placing your order. To be eligible, if your item has already been shipped, you must return it to us in the same condition as you receive it, unworn or unused, with tags, and in its original packaging. You will also need the receipt or proof of purchase.