Guide · Furniture and bedroom
How long should an office chair last in Australia?
An office chair bought for around $400 should last about 3 years or more.
An office chair is made for daily use. A gas lift that sinks, a base that cracks or arms that loosen within a few years is usually covered.
That’s our guide, and plenty last longer.
The law doesn’t set a fixed number. Goods have to last as long as a reasonable person would expect, given what they are and what you paid. If it fails sooner through no fault of yours, the shop that sold it has to put it right, even when the maker’s warranty has run out.
Takes a minute. It works out where you stand and what to say.
Is mine still covered?
Our guide to how long an office chair should last, by price:
| Price paid | Should last about |
|---|---|
| Up to $500 | 3 years |
| $500 to $2,000 | 7 years |
| Over $2,000 | 10 years |
For one bought around $400:
- Under 22 months: very likely covered.
- 22 months to 3 years: borderline, so worth asking.
- Over 3 years: harder, but it isn’t a cut-off.
These are guides, not law.
Signs it’s a fault
- The gas lift sinks or won’t hold its height
- The base, castors or tilt mechanism cracks or fails
- The seat foam collapses or the upholstery splits early
What usually isn’t covered
- Use well above the rated weight
- Fraying from pets or a bag strap
- A change of mind, misuse, or a fault you knew about when you bought it.
What to do
- Find your proof of purchase. The receipt is best. A bank or card statement, an order email or a warranty registration also works.
- Go back to the shop you bought it from. Not the maker. The shop is responsible, and it can’t send you to the manufacturer instead.
- Say what’s wrong and what you want. For a minor problem, the shop can choose to repair it first. For a major one (it’s unsafe, or you wouldn’t have bought it if you’d known), you choose a refund or a replacement.
- If they say no, go up a step. Ask again politely, in writing if you can, and keep copies. Then contact your state or territory consumer protection agency. If you need to, your state tribunal is the next step.
What to say at the counter
“I bought an office chair here on [date]. [What’s wrong.] It hasn’t lasted as long as I’d reasonably expect for what I paid, so it isn’t of acceptable quality under the Australian Consumer Law. I’d like it repaired, replaced or refunded.”
A tip for an office chair
A sinking gas lift can be dangerous. Stop using the chair if the base or lift fails, and photograph the damage.
Check yours
It's Stuffed works out where you stand, helps you find your proof of purchase and writes what to say. It also keeps your receipts and warranties in one place, so you’re not hunting for them next time.
Common questions
How long should an office chair last?
By our guide, an office chair bought for around $400 should last about 3 years or more, and plenty last longer. The law doesn’t set a fixed number. Goods have to last as long as a reasonable person would expect, given what they are and what you paid.
Does the consumer guarantee still apply to an office chair after the warranty ends?
Yes. They’re separate from the maker’s warranty and from any extended warranty, and they don’t have an end date. What matters is whether it lasted as long as a reasonable person would expect for what it was and what it cost.
Who do I go to if an office chair fails, the shop or the maker?
The shop that sold it. The shop is responsible for putting it right under the consumer guarantees, and it can’t send you to the manufacturer instead.
Do I need the receipt to take an office chair back?
You need proof of purchase, but not the original receipt. A bank or card statement, an order email or a warranty registration can do the job.
More guides
- How long should a sofa last?
- How long should a mattress last?
- How long should a bed frame last?
- How long should an electric blanket last?
- See all guides