Guide · Furniture and bedroom
How long should a sofa last in Australia?
A sofa bought for around $1,500 should last about 7 years or more.
A sofa should last years. If the frame cracks or the seat collapses well before that, it’s usually the shop’s job to fix it, whatever the box warranty said.
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 a sofa 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 $1,500:
- Under 4 years: very likely covered.
- 4 years to 7 years: borderline, so worth asking.
- Over 7 years: harder, but it isn’t a cut-off.
These are guides, not law.
Signs it’s a fault
- The frame cracks, creaks badly or a leg splits
- The seat or back sags into a dip much sooner than you’d expect
- Stitching or seams split in normal use
What usually isn’t covered
- Fading, scuffs or pet scratches from everyday living
- Stains and burns
- 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 a sofa 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 a sofa
Photograph the sag or crack with a tape measure beside it. A sofa is hard to carry back, so ask the shop to inspect it at your place.
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 a sofa last?
By our guide, a sofa bought for around $1,500 should last about 7 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 a sofa 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 a sofa 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 a sofa 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 mattress last?
- How long should a bed frame last?
- How long should an electric blanket last?
- How long should outdoor furniture last?
- See all guides