Vorwerk Australia Pty Ltd, trading as Thermomix in Australia, has paid $79,200 in penalties after the ACCC issued it with four infringement notices.
The notices alleged Thermomix made false or misleading representations to consumers online, suggesting two of its household appliances were endorsed by the NDIS.
In a statement to Appliance Retailer, Vorwerk Australia Pty Ltd has confirmed it is a registered NDIS Provider and the ACCC wrote to Vorwerk Australia as far back as 14 February 2025 raising concerns related to the use of NDIS related statements on the Thermomix website including: ‘NDIS approved’, ‘NDIS-registered product’, ‘NDIS-consumables’, ‘NDIS-funded’, ‘NDIS assistive technology’, ‘NDIS equipment’, ‘through the NDIS’.
“While Vorwerk Australia is proud that Thermomix helps to improve the lives of Australians, including those living with disabilities, they have underestimated the complexity of being a registered NDIS provider. Vorwerk Australia has willingly cooperated with the ACCC throughout the investigation process which has now been fully resolved. Vorwerk Australia is grateful for the opportunity to address the ACCC’s concerns and rectified these immediately following that notification,” the company said.
“Vorwerk Australia would never intentionally or knowingly mislead any consumers, and we have not hesitated to take appropriate action to remedy all instances of concern raised by the ACCC. While some of the website references pre-date the acquisition of The Mix Australia Pty Ltd, we take full responsibility for communicating with all our customers in a clear and compliant manner.” said a spokesperson for Vorwerk Australia.
“The payment of this fine, and the associated media release dated 29/05/25, marks the end of a cooperative process to ensure Vorwerk Australia’s compliance with the rules and regulations that govern an NDIS relationship,” the company said.
The ACCC alleges that in November 2024 and March 2025, false or misleading representations were made on the website, promoting the Thermomix TM6 cooking product and Kobold cordless vacuum and mop as being endorsed through the NDIS or registered by an entity administering the NDIS.
This included allegedly describing the products as ‘NDIS approved’, ‘NDIS-registered product’, ‘NDIS-consumables’, ‘NDIS assistive technology’, and ‘NDIS equipment’.
ACCC chair, Gina Cass-Gottlieb said the NDIS does not provide specific approval for any particular goods or services.
“Each NDIS participant has unique needs, and what’s funded under their plan is determined individually, not through a list of approved products. There are no categories of goods or services which are automatically NDIS approved or funded for all NDIS participants,” she said.