Buying Applecare+ in Australia from 2021
The way AppleCare+ is purchased in Australia has changed and is different to any other territory. Customers who have purchased hardware from Apple in the past will find that an extra step is now required to secure this insurance product which is no longer available at the point of sale.
CHANGES TO AUSTRALIAN CONSUMER LAW
Recent amendments to consumer law in Australia have necessitated the way Apple sells AppleCare+ in Australia and the way consumers can purchase it. Up to April 2021 insurance policies for new products could be offered at the point of sale. From April this was not allowed by law and could be sold only after four days had passed.
Apple’s response was to sell hardware which later qualifies for AppleCare+ with a complimentary week of coverage, after which the purchaser could elect to pay to continue the coverage or to have the free week of AppleCare+ expire. In the latter case the purchaser would have a period of up to sixty days after the purchase date of the hardware in which to buy AppleCare+ coverage.
PURCHASING APPLECARE+ ONLINE
ON A MAC
AppleCare+ can be purchased on a Mac by utilising ‘About this Mac’ in the Apple menu bar item, identifying the serial number of the computer (and saving it to the clipboard), and then clicking on the Support tab. Here will be displayed the status of AppleCare+ and if the free week has expired the days remaining to purchase AppleCare+ will be stated. The offer is withdrawn after the sixtieth day.
The offer to purchase AppleCare+ will be visible in the Support tab when the complimentary week has passed - but not before. Clicking on the AppleCare+ offer will provoke Safari to navigate to a part of Apple’s online store where the purchaser will use their Apple ID to sign in, identify their device with the serial number, then use their method of payment to complete the purchase.
ON AN iOS DEVICE
On an iOS device AppleCare+ can be bought in the same way but by navigating to Settings > General > About. Under the warranty statement will be the offer for AppleCare+
TELEPHONE OR IN-PERSON PURCHASE OF APPLECARE+
AppleCare+ can be purchased by calling Apple Australia on 1300 321 456 - this requires an online diagnostic from Apple, or at an Apple store with your device for inspection and proof of purchase. The Apple representative will complete the purchase for you.
PROOF OF PURCHASE
After the purchase of AppleCare+ the buyer will receive a tax invoice and documentation of proof of purchase. One of these documents is the terms of sale. Note that one of the terms states, “This plan is offered and valid only in Australia.”
MORE DETAILS
Further details are provided by Apple Australia on the webpage called ‘Service and support from the people who know your Apple products best.’
