Since its Australian launch in 2017, Amazon has become one of the largest online retailers in Australia. With its Prime subscription, which includes fast and free delivery as well as free streaming subscriptions, and its massive range of products, Amazon is a great place to shop for tech and appliances.
- Fast Prime delivery options
- Competitive pricing on many items
- Easy returns and customer service
- Smaller selection than US Amazon
- Prime membership required for best benefits
- Some products can sometimes be overpriced
Since it launched back in 2017, Amazon Australia has become the go-to online marketplace for tech shoppers. With a massive range of products of everything from books, gadgets and kitchen appliances, Amazon offers competitive pricing, fast delivery, and the convenience of shopping from home.
About Amazon Australia
Amazon launched its Australian operations in December 2017 and has grown into one of the country's largest online retailers, with millions of products available and fulfilment centres across the country, enabling faster delivery than ever before.
The platform operates differently from traditional retailers. Amazon.com.au is both a direct seller (items sold and fulfilled by Amazon) and a marketplace (third-party sellers using Amazon's platform). This hybrid model means you'll find both Amazon's own inventory and products from thousands of other sellers, all in one place.
Latest Amazon news
Loading news...
Quick facts:
- Launched in Australia: December 2017
- Headquarters: Global HQ in Seattle, USA; Australian operations based in Sydney
- Business Model: Direct retail + third-party marketplace
- Prime Membership: $9.99/month or $79/year for expedited shipping and streaming benefits
- Product Range: Electronics, home goods, fashion, books, groceries, and millions more items
Why shop on Amazon.com.au?
Unmatched product selection
Amazon's marketplace model means you're not limited to what one retailer stocks. Whether you're hunting for a specific model, colour, or configuration, chances are someone on Amazon has it. The search and filter tools make it easy to compare options, read reviews, and find exactly what you need.
Competitive pricing
Amazon's algorithm-driven pricing means costs fluctuate based on demand, competition, and inventory levels. You'll often find products cheaper on Amazon than at physical retailers, though prices can change daily. Third-party sellers competing for your business help keep prices sharp.
Prime membership benefits
For frequent online shoppers, Amazon Prime transforms the experience. Members get free expedited delivery (often next-day in metro areas), access to Prime Video streaming, Amazon Music, Prime Reading, and exclusive early access to Lightning Deals. At $79 annually, Prime pays for itself if you shop online regularly.
Customer reviews at scale
Amazon's review system is one of its biggest advantages. With thousands of customer reviews on popular products, you get real-world feedback that helps you make informed decisions. The "Verified Purchase" badge helps identify genuine buyers, though you should still read user-generated reviews with a critical eye.
What you can buy on Amazon.com.au
Amazon's Australian marketplace stocks virtually everything:
- Consumer electronics: Laptops, tablets, smartphones, cameras, gaming consoles, smart home devices, wearables, and accessories from all major brands.
- Home audio & entertainment: Speakers, soundbars, headphones, turntables, streaming devices, projectors, and home theatre systems.
- Computing & accessories: Desktop computers, monitors, keyboards, mice, storage drives, networking equipment, and components.
- Smart home: Amazon Echo devices, smart lights, security cameras, video doorbells, thermostats, and connected home products.
- And much more: Fashion, books, toys, sporting goods, home improvement, beauty, and countless other categories.
Amazon Prime: Is It Worth It?
Amazon Prime costs $9.99 per month or $79 per year in Australia. Here's what you get:
Delivery Benefits:
- Free expedited delivery on millions of eligible items
- Free one-day delivery in select metro areas (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and more)
- Free same-day delivery on orders $49+ in select Sydney and Melbourne postcodes
- Free international shipping from Amazon Global Store on eligible items
Entertainment:
- Prime Video streaming (movies, TV shows, Amazon Originals)
- Amazon Music Prime (100 million songs, ad-free)
- Prime Reading (rotating selection of ebooks and magazines)
- Prime Gaming (free games and Twitch channel subscription)
Shopping Perks:
- 30-minute early access to Lightning Deals
- Exclusive Prime Day deals shopping event
Is it worth it? If you order more than once a month, probably yes. Standard shipping starts at $7.99, so two orders already exceed the monthly fee. Add in the streaming benefits, and Prime offers solid value for regular Amazon users.
Be mindful that your subscription automatically renews, so if you no longer need the Prime subscription or it no longer makes sense for you financially, you'll need to actively cancel your membership.
Shipping & delivery
Standard delivery starts at $7.99 per order for items fulfilled by Amazon. Delivery times vary by location, but are typically between 3-7 business days.
For Amazon Prime customers, you can get free expedited delivery on eligible items. Look for the Prime logo when you shop, or use the filter for Prime shipping when you're browsing the store. For metro areas, delivery typically happens on the same day or the next day, depending on the location and the purchased item. Regional areas still get free expedited shipping, though it's typically 2-3 business days.
Amazon also ships products from the Amazon Global Store internationally to Australia. Prime members get free international shipping on eligible orders with no minimum spend. Non-Prime members face international shipping fees, or might get free delivery with a minimum spend.
All orders come with tracking information. You'll receive email updates when items ship and when they're out for delivery.
Returns & refunds
Amazon's return policy is straightforward but has some important details:
Standard Return Window: 30 days from delivery for most items purchased on Amazon.com.au.
Free Returns: Many items display "FREE Returns" on the product page. These can be returned at no cost using prepaid labels. For items without free returns, you may pay a return shipping fee ($7 for standard items, $50 for large items).
Return Process:
- Go to "Your Orders" and select the item
- Choose your return reason
- Select your return method (Australia Post, ParcelPoint locations, or self-ship)
- Print your label and drop off the package
Faulty Items: If an item arrives defective or damaged, Amazon covers return shipping regardless of the free returns designation. You can request a replacement or a full refund, including original delivery costs.
Important Notes:
- Original shipping fees are not refunded for change-of-mind returns
- Items must be in original condition with packaging when possible
- Third-party seller returns follow that seller's policy, though it's often similar to Amazon's policy
Customer service & support
Contact Methods:
- Live Chat: Available 24/7 through "Contact Us" in your account
- Phone Support: Request a callback through your account (available 24/7)
- Email: Response typically within 24 hours
- Help Pages: Extensive self-service documentation
Amazon's customer service is generally responsive and customer-friendly. Representatives can resolve issues quickly, often issuing refunds or replacements without requiring returns for lower-value items.
For third-party purchases, Amazon's A-to-Z Guarantee protects you if items don't arrive or aren't as described. You can file a claim if the seller doesn't respond within two business days.
Shopping on Amazon.com.au: Key Tips
Check the Seller Always verify who's selling the product. "Sold by Amazon AU" means Amazon is the seller. "Sold by [Name] and Fulfilled by Amazon" means a third party sells it but Amazon handles shipping. "Sold and shipped by [Name]" means the third party handles everything. Generally, "Fulfilled by Amazon" offers the most consistent experience.
Read Reviews Carefully Focus on "Verified Purchase" reviews and read both positive and negative feedback. Check review dates—older reviews might not reflect current product quality. Be wary of suspiciously generic five-star reviews.
Use Price Trackers Amazon prices change frequently. Browser extensions like CamelCamelCamel or Keepa track price history, helping you spot genuine deals versus artificial discounts.
Watch for Subscribe & Save Eligible items offer 5-10% discounts if you subscribe for regular deliveries. You can cancel anytime, making this worthwhile even for one-off purchases of eligible items.
Prime Student Discount Students with a valid university email get Prime for $3.99/month or $47/year during a free 6-month trial.
Amazon.com.au vs Australian retailers
Advantages of Amazon:
- Usually lower prices (though not always)
- Massive product selection unavailable elsewhere
- Customer review system for informed decisions
- Prime shipping convenience
- Easy returns process
Advantages of traditional retailers:
- Immediate in-store pickup
- Face-to-face customer service
- Easier to inspect products before buying
- Supporting Australian businesses
- Loyalty programs and local warranties
Most savvy shoppers use both. Amazon for convenience and pricing on everyday items; physical retailers when you want to see/hear a product first or need something immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Amazon AU prices in Australian dollars?
Yes. All prices on Amazon.com.au are in AUD. Be careful not to accidentally shop on Amazon.com (US site) where prices are in USD.
What about warranties?
Products sold on Amazon AU are covered by Australian Consumer Law. Most electronics include manufacturer warranties. Keep your order confirmation as proof of purchase.
Can I return Amazon Global Store items?
Yes, though international returns can be more complex. Prime members don't pay return shipping for eligible Global Store items.
Is my payment information secure?
Amazon uses encryption and secure payment processing. You can also use Amazon gift cards if you prefer not to save payment methods.
Environmental & ethical considerations
Amazon has faced criticism globally regarding warehouse working conditions, the environmental impact of packaging and shipping, and market dominance concerns. In Australia, the company has committed to:
- Reducing packaging waste
- Increasing electric delivery vehicle use in metro areas
- Renewable energy investments for fulfilment centres
Whether these efforts offset concerns is a personal judgment. Some shoppers choose to support smaller retailers when possible while using Amazon for items unavailable elsewhere.
Is it worth shopping at Amazon.com.au?
Amazon.com.au offers unbeatable convenience, selection, and usually competitive pricing. The platform excels at commodity purchases where you know what you want and value fast delivery. For tech products especially, the combination of reviews, pricing, and Prime shipping makes Amazon hard to beat.
The trade-off is shopping online without physically seeing products first, supporting a global corporation over local retailers, and navigating a marketplace where product quality can vary between sellers. For most Australians, Amazon has become an essential shopping tool. It works best as part of a broader shopping strategy, not your only option.
Our Amazon hardware Reviews
Loading reviews...