Bedding retailer, Bedshed, has paid a fine of $39,600 after receiving two infringement notices from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for allegedly making false or misleading representations. 

The company had represented certain products it sold as being evaluated or approved by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

The ACCC alleged that the company advertised some of its mattresses, furniture and bedding accessories as ‘NDIS approved’ and ‘NDIS permitted’ on its website and Google Ads. 

“The NDIS does not approve any specific goods or services and to suggest otherwise is misleading and risks taking advantage of vulnerable consumers,” said ACCC chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb.

“Targeting consumers experiencing vulnerability or disadvantage with misleading advertising is particularly concerning, and we are continuing to investigate companies making similar claims,” she said. 

This comes after the ACCC began closely investigating problematic advertising that targeted NDIS participants last November. 

“We swiftly undertook a review of search, website terms and marketing materials, and whilst limited, we updated any meta-data and copy to ensure that the terms ‘NDIS approved products’ were not in use and ‘NDIS accredited provider’ was updated to NDIS registered provider,” said Bedshed MD Gavin Culmsee.

“We are committed to supporting our customers with a range of products tailored to their individual needs, ensuring that we offer appropriate solutions to a diverse customer base, including those who may require NDIS support. 

“Any stores that become a registered NDIS providers do so voluntarily, as part of their local commitment to better serve the needs of their communities, rather than as part of a broader corporate strategy focused on NDIS marketing. 

“Bedshed will support stores with an initial understanding of the NDIS, focusing on the information provided by NDIS, and all registration is done directly between the store and the NDIS,” said Culmsee.