1. UNDERSTANDING
COSTS & CONTRACTS
Developed by

2. Buying and/or connecting a service
When you:
 Connect a landline/home phone
 Buy and connect a mobile phone
 Connect to the internet

3. Agreement with company
The company will want you to agree to pay them
for the service.

4. This agreement is called a
CONTRACT
The contract may be paperwork that you have to sign.

5. It may be a verbal agreement, one that you talk about

6. Some contracts can be both in writing AND
a verbal agreement
+

7. Contracts can be made with a company on the phone or
mobile phone.
They will ask you questions which you have to answer.

8. Contracts can be made by filling in information
on the internet and agreeing to questions

9. Fine Print
Fine Print is small writing on contracts.
Often this says what extra money you have
to pay for services that you may not know
you have agreed to.
Often this writing tells you extra money you
may have to pay that you did not know you
had to.

10. Before buying a mobile phone, connecting to a landline/
home phone or connecting to the internet there are lots of
things to
UNDERSTAND AND THINK ABOUT.

11. Ask an expert to help you.

12. DO NOT sign any paperwork unless you understand it

13. Do Not agree to contracts that you do not
understand.
Do not be afraid to say NO

14. DON’T BE PRESSURED by salespeople whether
in a shop or at your door into signing paperwork.

15. DO NOT AGREE to any contract on the phone
or mobile phone that you do not understand.

16. DO NOT fill in anything or tick any boxes on the
internet that you do not understand.

17. People who can help you
Settlement Workers
Case Workers
Community Legal Centres - http://www.naclc.org.au/
Financial Counsellors - 1800 007 007
http://www.financialcounsellingaustralia.org.au/
Telecommunication Industry Ombudsman –
Phone: 1800 062 058
Write to: PO Box 276
Collins Street West Vic 8007
Visit: Level 3, 595 Collins Street, Melbourne
Online: www.tio.com.au
TTY1800 675 692
National Relay Service133 677 or www.relayservice.com.au
Fax our consumer complaint form to1800 630 614