The safest way to buy event tickets is through the authorised ticketing agencies for the event.
Tickets purchased from somewhere else:
- might not be genuine
- may not be provided at all
- may be cancelled by the event organiser if they have been re-sold.
It's against the law to:
- sell a ticket to a sporting or entertainment event in SA at a price that is more than 110% of the original supply cost of the ticket - this applies to tickets with a re-sale restriction
- a re-sale restriction is a term or condition that limits the circumstances in which a ticket may be resold or prohibits the re-sale of the ticket
- original supply cost is the amount that the ticket was first sold to a purchaser by an authorised seller, excluding any transaction costs
- use 'ticket bots' or other software to buy tickets in a way that goes against the terms and conditions of the authorised ticket seller's website
- make the supply of tickets dependent on other purchases.
Re-sold tickets
Tickets can be resold, so long as:
- the price isn't more than 110% of the original ticket price
- the advertising requirements outlined below are met.
The seller can't accept a price that is more than 110% of the original supply cost, even if potential buyers offer a higher amount. The buyer also risks their ticket being cancelled by the venue if they pay a higher price.
You can report an advertisement, where the asking price is too high, to the ticketing website by sending them an email. They must remove any advertisement that's illegal.
Advertising requirements
Any ticket re-sale advertisement must include:
- the original supply cost
- details of the allocated location to view the event - eg bay, row or seat number of the ticket.
It's illegal for an advertising publication - eg website, newspaper or magazine - to publish an advertisement to sell tickets for an amount that's more than 110% of the original supply cost of the ticket.
Fundraising
Tickets sold for fundraising purposes - eg auctioned at a charity or community event - are exempt from the above requirements where all the net proceeds from the sale are applied to one or more of the following approved purposes:
- religious, educational, charitable or benevolent purpose
- providing medical treatment or promoting the interests of someone who has a particular physical, mental or intellectual disability
- establishing, running or improving a community centre
- promoting the interests of a local community or group
- sport, recreation or amusement
- promoting animal welfare
- conserving resources or preserving the environmental, historical or cultural heritage of South Australia
- promoting the interests of students or education staff
- a political purpose
- promoting the common interests of people connected to a business, trade or industry.
If an event doesn't go ahead
If an event is cancelled or is dramatically different from what was advertised, you can ask for a refund. Contact the ticketing agency first. If you have difficulty getting a refund, and you paid by credit card, check with your bank about chargeback options.
Refunds offered by official ticketing agencies or event organisers will be paid to the first purchaser of the ticket, not to consumers who bought a re-sold ticket. Check the re-seller's website to see if you're covered for event cancellations.
