Before you buy gift cards or vouchers, make sure you check the terms and conditions so you can answer these key questions. You can often find the terms and conditions on the card or voucher itself, or if purchased online, in the email.

Gift card frequently asked questions

Is there an expiry date?

If there is, tell the recipient so it does not sit there unspent until it is too late.

From March 2026, there are new rules that require the expiry date on a gift card to not be less than 3 years after the date of sale. You can find more on gift card expiry dates below (including which gift cards are covered by the new rules).

If you have bought a voucher online, such as from a daily deal site, there are often limits on when and how the voucher can be used. Be sure to read the terms and conditions carefully.

What happens if the expiry date has passed?

If the gift card or voucher is now expired, the store does not have to honour it. You could try and take the card into the store and ask if they will still let you use it.

Is there an activation or transaction fee?

Check the terms and conditions about this, and let the recipient know if there is a fee.

Can I get change if I only spend part of the amount on the card?

The store might not offer change on a gift card or voucher so a $20 and a $10 might be a better option than a $30.

What happens if I lose my card?

If you lose your gift card or voucher, the store does not have to honour it. Register the card in the store's system if you can – that way if it is lost the money is not.

What about if the store has gone out of business or changed ownership?

If the issuer goes out of business it is possible the gift card will be unusable. This may also be the case if the business is sold to another owner. So spend it as quickly as possible.

Gift card expiry date guidance

The Fair Trading (Gift Card Expiry) Amendment Act 2024 (Act) amended the Fair Trading Act (FTA) to prohibit the selling of gift cards with an expiry date of less than 3 years after the initial sale date.

Summary

  • The expiry date on a gift card must not be less than 3 years.
  • Some gift cards are excluded from this new requirement (please refer to full list below).
  • The expiry date must appear prominently on gift cards.
  • The new law comes into effect in March 2026.

A gift card expiry date must not be less than 3 years

A person must not sell a gift card with an expiry date that is less than 3 years after the date of sale of the gift card.

If a gift card is sold without this condition, it will be considered void, and the expiry date is then to be taken to be 3 years after the date of sale.

Definition of gift card

A gift card is broadly defined as a card or voucher in any form (such as a physical or digital card) that is redeemable for goods or services.

Gift cards that are excluded in this new requirement

The changes to gift cards do not include -

  • a card or voucher supplied in substitution for goods returned to the supplier of the goods
  • a prepaid card or voucher redeemable only for telecommunication services, public transport, or electricity, gas, or water services
  • a debit card, credit card, prepaid travel card, or other similar card that allows cash withdrawals
  • a card or voucher supplied as part of a customer loyalty programme (other than a card or voucher supplied in exchange for a reduction in customer loyalty points)
  • a card or voucher redeemable only for goods or services available at a time-limited event (such as a festival, concert, or similar event)
  • a card or voucher sold principally to raise funds for a charitable purpose.

Note that open loop cards such as Prezzy Cards are included in this law change.

Expiry date must appear prominently on all gift cards

The Act requires that a gift card states prominently when it is no longer redeemable with one of the following:

  • the expiry date
  • the month and year the gift card is no longer redeemable
  • the date the gift card is sold and a statement that identifies the period during which the gift card is redeemable
  • the words “no expiry date” or words to that effect.

New gift card requirements date of effect

The new requirements will come into effect on 16 March 2026. This provides a transition period before the new legislation applies. This allows businesses to prepare their systems to implement the changes and/or to sell existing stocks of gift cards with pre-printed dates.

Current gift cards remain the same

The new rules are not applied retrospectively. The expiry date that is included in any current gift card, or one that is issued up until 16 March remains the same.

Consequences of not complying with the new Regulations

Failure to comply with the Regulations is against the law because it breaches the Fair Trading Act.

The Commerce Commission may issue an infringement notice to a trader requiring payment of a $1,000 infringement fee per offence. For serious non-compliance, the Commission may choose to prosecute, and companies may be fined up to $30,000 for each offence. Individuals can be fined up to $10,000 for each offence.