Australians are growing frustrated with appliances designed to fail, as a new survey reveals 85% want to know the expected lifespan before buying. The Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC) reports that most people support a durability and repairability label to help compare products, similar to existing water and energy ratings.
Rowan Barr, who runs a repair cafe in Melbourne, says proprietary tools and restricted spare parts make repairs difficult. “Things used to be built to last, and now they’re built to break with short lifespans,” she says. “It’s designed that way so you will just buy new.”
The CPRC survey found that Australians deeply care about both the hip-pocket and environmental impacts of throwaway appliances. Erin Turner, the centre’s chief executive, says people want clear information on how long a product will last and whether it can be fixed.
The Productivity Commission has backed mandatory labelling in its Right to Repair and Circular Economy inquiries. A similar scheme already operates in France, where products display a repairability rating based on spare parts availability, repair manuals, and ease of disassembly.
Karen and Danny Ellis, from Mend It, Australia, have audited 1,000 appliances sent to e-waste, finding 70% in working order and 20% repairable. They say many working items end up in landfill, missing opportunities for reuse and recycling. “The federal government is all about productivity… we’re showing them at the real grassroots – and it can be scaled up,” Karen says.
Turner argues the status quo is expensive for consumers, with more waste and frequent replacements. “There are simple answers here that are being rolled out in other countries… What we need is governments to step in to disrupt this cycle.”
