Guide · Clothes, shoes and bags
How long should school shoes last in Australia?
School shoes bought for around $70 should last about 6 months or more.
School shoes are bought to last a term or more. A sole that splits in weeks is usually a fault, even on a cheaper pair.
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 school shoes should last, by price:
| Price paid | Should last about |
|---|---|
| Up to $80 | 6 months |
| $80 to $300 | 18 months |
| Over $300 | 3 years |
For one bought around $70:
- Under 4 months: very likely covered.
- 4 months to 6 months: borderline, so worth asking.
- Over 6 months: harder, but it isn’t a cut-off.
These are guides, not law.
Signs it’s a fault
- The sole splits, peels or wears through in weeks
- The stitching or upper fails early
- A buckle, strap or velcro fails quickly
What usually isn’t covered
- Normal wear from daily school use
- Damage from sport or play the shoes weren’t made for
- 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 school shoes 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 school shoes
Take them back as soon as you see the fault. The sooner you ask, the clearer the case.
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 school shoes last?
By our guide, school shoes bought for around $70 should last about 6 months 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 school shoes 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 school shoes 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.
Is it worth the bother if school shoes was cheap?
Yes. Cheap things are covered too, with no minimum price. A quick, polite ask at the service desk is usually the way to go. You’ll still need proof you bought it. A receipt, a bank or card statement or an order email will do.
More guides
- How long should jeans or everyday clothes last?
- How long should shoes or boots last?
- How long should a jacket or coat last?
- How long should a bra last?
- See all guides