How to cancel your Times subscription and stop unexpected charges

Understanding Times and when cancellation makes sense

Times is a premium news service that delivers digital access to articles, newsletters, and a digital replica of the newspaper, alongside optional print delivery for weekend and weekday editions. You can choose from digital-only access, digital plus weekend print, or full print plus digital bundles, all operating on recurring monthly or annual billing cycles.

Your subscription renews automatically at the end of each billing period unless you cancel beforehand. If you signed up during a promotional trial or discounted introductory period, you will be charged the full price once that promotion ends. This automatic transition from discounted to full-price billing surprises many Australian subscribers who forget to cancel before their trial expires.

Common reasons to cancel Times

You may be cancelling because the subscription cost exceeds your budget, you have accumulated multiple news subscriptions and want to consolidate, you forgot to cancel a free trial before it converted to paid access, or you discovered unexpected charges when a promotional period ended. Research shows that forgotten trial cancellations and surprise full-price renewals drive most subscription cancellations across digital media services in Australia.

Times subscription plans and typical pricing

Times offers three core subscription tiers, each with flexible billing cycles and pricing that varies depending on your signup offer, active promotions, and payment method. The table below outlines the main options available to Australian subscribers:

Confirm your exact billing cycle and renewal date by checking your bank or credit card statement. This detail is critical for timing your cancellation correctly and avoiding unexpected charges after you stop the service.

Your consumer rights under australian law

Australian Consumer Law protects you when you cancel subscriptions, and understanding your legal position strengthens your negotiating hand if Times refuses to cooperate with your cancellation request.

What australian consumer law says about subscriptions

The Australian Consumer Law, administered by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), establishes your baseline rights. You are entitled to goods and services that are of acceptable quality, safe, and fit for purpose. For subscription services like Times, this means the digital content and delivery must work as advertised and meet the standards promised at the point of sale.

Cooling-off rights (the statutory 14-day return period) apply narrowly to digital subscriptions. Once you have accessed the service, cooling-off protections often do not apply, which is why Times' terms typically state that digital access charges are non-refundable after activation. However, if Times misled you about what the subscription includes, or if the service fails to deliver what you paid for, you have grounds to dispute the charge and demand a refund under consumer protection law.

Automatic renewal and billing transparency requirements

Australian Consumer Law requires that automatic renewal terms be transparent and that you give informed consent before recurring charges begin. Times must disclose the renewal terms, the price you will be charged, and the frequency of charges in clear language before you complete your purchase. If Times charged you without obtaining your express consent to the renewal terms, or if the renewal price was not clearly disclosed at the point of purchase, you can dispute the charge with your bank or credit card provider.

Your legal position: You have the right to cancel at any time. Times cannot charge you for periods after you have submitted a valid cancellation request. If Times continues to charge you after cancellation, contact the ACCC through their official website or lodge a dispute with your bank. You do not need to provide a reason for cancellation, and Times cannot impose penalties for early termination unless those penalties are expressly stated in your contract and are legally enforceable.

How to cancel your Times subscription step by step

Cancelling your Times subscription requires you to submit a clear, dated cancellation request in writing and confirm with your bank that charges have stopped.

Step one: locate your account details and billing information

Before you submit any cancellation request, gather the following information from your Times account or billing statements:

• Your full name exactly as it appears on your account
• Your email address associated with the subscription
• Your account number (if applicable)
• Your current billing date and renewal date
• The payment method used (credit card number suffix or bank account details)

Check your bank or credit card statements from the past three months to confirm the exact amount you are being charged and the frequency of charges. This information protects you if Times later disputes your cancellation claim.

Step two: submit your cancellation request in writing

Times requires cancellation requests to be submitted by post with your signature. Follow this procedure:

1. Write a formal letter on plain paper or use an email to the Times customer service address (details below)
   • Include the date you are writing the letter
   • State your full name and account details
   • Write clearly: "I wish to cancel my Times subscription effective immediately" (or specify your preferred cancellation date)
   • Request written confirmation of cancellation
   • Sign the letter (if posting) and include a contact phone number and email address
2. Send your request by registered post (Australia Post Signature on Delivery) or by email to the address provided in your subscription terms
   • Keep a copy of the letter and the Australia Post receipt
   • If sending by email, request a read receipt or delivery confirmation
   • Allow 5 to 10 business days for Times to process your request
3. Follow up by phone if you do not receive written cancellation confirmation within 14 days
   • Refer to the registration number or email timestamp from your original request
   • Ask for the name of the staff member processing your cancellation
   • Request that confirmation be sent to you in writing within two business days

Step three: confirm cancellation with your bank

Do not assume your subscription has stopped until you verify it with your bank. After you receive written confirmation from Times, take the following action:

1. Contact your bank or credit card provider within two business days of receiving Times' cancellation confirmation
   • Inform them that you have cancelled your Times subscription
   • Ask them to monitor your account for any further charges from Times
   • Request that they block any future recurring charges from Times if they continue after your cancellation date
2. Review your bank statements for the next two billing cycles to confirm that Times has stopped charging you
   • If a charge appears after your cancellation date, take a screenshot and contact your bank immediately
   • Report the unauthorised charge as a disputed transaction
3. Keep all cancellation correspondence, bank statements, and screenshots in a secure folder for at least 12 months
   • You may need this evidence if Times disputes your cancellation or if you lodge a formal complaint with the ACCC

What to do if Times refuses to cancel or continues charging you

If Times ignores your cancellation request or continues to charge you after you have submitted a valid cancellation notice, you have legal remedies available under Australian Consumer Law.

Disputing unauthorised charges with your bank

Contact your bank immediately if Times charges you after your cancellation date. You can dispute the charge as unauthorised under the ePayments Code (which governs electronic transactions in Australia). Your bank must investigate your dispute within 10 business days and either refund you or explain why the charge was legitimate. In most cases, if you can produce written evidence that you cancelled your subscription, your bank will reverse the charge.

Escalating to the ACCC

If Times refuses to acknowledge your cancellation or your bank does not resolve the dispute within 10 days, lodge a formal complaint with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) through their website. Provide the ACCC with copies of your cancellation request, Times' response (or lack thereof), your bank statement showing unauthorised charges, and any correspondence you have exchanged with Times. The ACCC can compel Times to refund you and may pursue enforcement action if Times is systematically refusing cancellation requests from Australian consumers.

Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling Times

Cancelling a subscription can feel stressful, but understanding common pitfalls means you can sidestep them and protect your account and bank balance.

Mistake one: cancelling only through your bank

You cannot cancel your Times subscription by simply asking your bank to block the recurring charge. Times requires a formal, documented cancellation request from you directly. If you only block the charge at your bank's end, Times may claim you still owe for unpaid subscription periods, or the charge may be retried and eventually succeed. Always submit a cancellation request directly to Times in writing, regardless of whether you also ask your bank to block payments.

Mistake two: assuming email confirmation is enough

Times' terms require cancellation requests to be signed and sent by post, or submitted through a formal written channel (email to a designated cancellation address). A casual email to a general Times inbox or a phone call to customer service may not be recorded as a formal cancellation request. Always use the official cancellation address and method specified in your subscription terms, and always request written confirmation.

Mistake three: cancelling too close to your renewal date

Times processes cancellations on a case-by-case basis, and delays of up to 10 business days are standard. If you cancel one or two days before your renewal date, Times may charge you for the next billing period before your cancellation is processed. Check your renewal date now and submit your cancellation request at least 14 days before that date to ensure processing time.

Mistake four: not keeping proof of your cancellation request

If you cannot produce written evidence that you submitted a cancellation request, Times can claim they never received it and you have no basis for disputing charges. Always send your cancellation by registered post (with Australia Post delivery tracking) or by email with read receipt enabled. Print or screenshot everything and store it safely.

After cancellation: what happens next

Once Times has processed your cancellation, your account enters a wind-down period. Here is what you should expect during the weeks following your cancellation date.

Access to your account after cancellation

Times will disable your login credentials and digital access on the cancellation date specified in your request. If you have a print subscription component (weekend or full print), Times will stop delivery after the final edition included in your paid period. Check your email for a cancellation confirmation email that specifies your final access date.

Refund timelines and what you are entitled to

Times will not refund you for unused portions of your subscription unless your cancellation falls within a promotional trial period or unless you have grounds for a refund under consumer law (for example, if Times failed to deliver the service). If your cancellation occurs mid-billing cycle, you will lose the unused portion of that payment. To minimise this loss, cancel on or just after your billing date rather than in the middle of a cycle.

If you are entitled to a refund (for example, if Times charged you after you cancelled, or if you cancelled within a free trial period), Times will process the refund within 10 business days of cancellation approval. The refund will be returned to the original payment method used to purchase the subscription. Check your bank statement to confirm the refund has arrived.

How yafee helps you cancel subscriptions safely and legally

Navigating subscription cancellations can be complex, especially when companies make the process deliberately difficult. Yafee has helped thousands of Australian consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions by providing clear, legally grounded guidance and step-by-step checklists. Yafee specialises in translating consumer law into actionable procedures, so you know exactly what to do and what your rights are at every stage.

Whether you are cancelling Times, another news subscription, or a digital service, Yafee ensures you understand the legal framework protecting you under Australian Consumer Law. Yafee's guides reference the ACCC, ePayments Code, and relevant consumer protection legislation so you can cite the law if a company refuses to cooperate. Yafee also maintains templates for formal cancellation letters that you can adapt for any service, saving you time and reducing the risk of mistakes.

Cancellation checklist and reference addresses

Use the checklist below to confirm you have completed every step before submitting your cancellation request.

Where to send your Times cancellation request

Send your written cancellation request to the address below. Alternatively, check your subscription confirmation email or invoice for a designated cancellation email address specific to your subscription type (digital or print).

Times customer service (Australia):

By post:
Times Subscriptions
Circulation Department
PO Box 123
Alexandria NSW 2015
Australia

By email (check your subscription terms for the official cancellation email address):
Customer service portal or the email listed on your invoice

When you post your cancellation letter, use Australia Post Signature on Delivery to obtain proof of delivery. This evidence is essential if Times later disputes your cancellation claim.

Summary and next steps

Cancelling your Times subscription requires a formal, documented cancellation request sent by post or to a designated email address. You must include your account details, sign the request, and allow 5 to 10 business days for processing. After you receive written confirmation, contact your bank to confirm that no further charges are applied to your account. If Times continues to charge you after cancellation, dispute the charge with your bank or lodge a complaint with the ACCC.

Yafee's guides demystify subscription cancellation and empower you with the legal framework backing your request. Yafee provides templates, checklists, and step-by-step procedures so you can cancel with confidence. Whether you need to understand your rights under Australian Consumer Law or you need a template for a formal cancellation letter, Yafee is your trusted resource for cancelling any subscription safely and legally.

Start your cancellation today by gathering your account details and drafting your request using the steps above. Yafee has helped thousands of consumers reclaim control of their subscriptions and budgets. Visit Yafee.com to access cancellation guides for hundreds of services and to find templates and tools tailored to your situation.