Review of the Unclaimed Goods Act 1987

Consultation has concluded. Thanks for your contributions.

Have your say on proposed changes to the Unclaimed Goods Act 1987.

What's being decided?

We are seeking feedback on ways the Unclaimed Goods Act 1987 could be improved and updated.

Goods can be ‘unclaimed’ when they are left with a business for repair or other service, are left with others to look after, in buying/selling, or when they are abandoned on private premises.

Changes could make the process of selling/disposing of unclaimed goods easier, while maintaining important protections for owners.

You can read the changes we are proposing in the discussion paper.

Background

The Unclaimed Goods Act 1987 sets out a process that people need to follow to sell or dispose of goods that are abandoned or that have not been collected by the owner (‘unclaimed goods’).

In South Australia goods are considered ‘unclaimed’ if:

  • the owner fails to collect them within the agreed time period
  • the goods are unable to be delivered as per an agreement (after reasonable attempts)
  • after requesting the owner collect the goods, the owner refuses or fails to collect them within 42 days of the request.

The current legislation requires people to wait for three months before disposing of or selling goods that are ‘unclaimed’ according to the Act. They need to follow a set process, depending on the value of the goods. Feedback suggests this process could be improved, to avoid unnecessary costs and inconvenience.

Get involved

Find out more:

Have your say by:

  • participating in a short survey
  • email a submission to LLPSubmissions@sa.gov.au including if you'd like to keep your submission confidential and the reason for this.

Please be aware that unless you make a request for confidentiality, we may refer to publicly or publish the information contained in any submission. Any material identified as ‘confidential’ is still subject to the Freedom of Information Act 1991. While we will make efforts to keep the material confidential, in some circumstances we might disclose it under the Freedom of Information Act 1991. Where disclosure of information may identify you, we will attempt to consult with you under the Freedom of Information Act 1991 before we disclose the documents.

What are the next steps?

We will consider your feedback on ways to improve the Unclaimed Goods Act before making recommendations to the Attorney-General about reforms.

Have your say on proposed changes to the Unclaimed Goods Act 1987.

What's being decided?

We are seeking feedback on ways the Unclaimed Goods Act 1987 could be improved and updated.

Goods can be ‘unclaimed’ when they are left with a business for repair or other service, are left with others to look after, in buying/selling, or when they are abandoned on private premises.

Changes could make the process of selling/disposing of unclaimed goods easier, while maintaining important protections for owners.

You can read the changes we are proposing in the discussion paper.

Background

The Unclaimed Goods Act 1987 sets out a process that people need to follow to sell or dispose of goods that are abandoned or that have not been collected by the owner (‘unclaimed goods’).

In South Australia goods are considered ‘unclaimed’ if:

  • the owner fails to collect them within the agreed time period
  • the goods are unable to be delivered as per an agreement (after reasonable attempts)
  • after requesting the owner collect the goods, the owner refuses or fails to collect them within 42 days of the request.

The current legislation requires people to wait for three months before disposing of or selling goods that are ‘unclaimed’ according to the Act. They need to follow a set process, depending on the value of the goods. Feedback suggests this process could be improved, to avoid unnecessary costs and inconvenience.

Get involved

Find out more:

Have your say by:

  • participating in a short survey
  • email a submission to LLPSubmissions@sa.gov.au including if you'd like to keep your submission confidential and the reason for this.

Please be aware that unless you make a request for confidentiality, we may refer to publicly or publish the information contained in any submission. Any material identified as ‘confidential’ is still subject to the Freedom of Information Act 1991. While we will make efforts to keep the material confidential, in some circumstances we might disclose it under the Freedom of Information Act 1991. Where disclosure of information may identify you, we will attempt to consult with you under the Freedom of Information Act 1991 before we disclose the documents.

What are the next steps?

We will consider your feedback on ways to improve the Unclaimed Goods Act before making recommendations to the Attorney-General about reforms.

  • Unclaimed Goods Act 1987 Review Survey

    Thank you for your participation in this survey, which will help inform future changes to the Unclaimed Goods Act 1987. This survey will take approximately two to three minutes to complete. 


    Before completing this survey, we encourage you to read the discussion paper. In addition to completing this survey, you may also choose to email a submission to LLPSubmissions@sa.gov.au


    Consultation has concluded. Thanks for your contributions.