How to cancel GitHub Copilot in australia and avoid unexpected charges
What GitHub Copilot is and why cancellation matters
GitHub Copilot is an AI-powered coding assistant that integrates with popular code editors to suggest code completions, generate code snippets, and provide conversational assistance as you write. GitHub offers subscription tiers ranging from a free plan to enterprise arrangements, each with different model access and usage allowances.
You might decide to cancel if your trial period ends, your workplace now provides Copilot access, the tool no longer fits your development workflow, or you want to reduce software subscription costs. Cancelling promptly prevents recurring charges and ensures you retain full control of your billing account.
When cancellation makes sense
Cancellation becomes the right choice when your free trial concludes and you've decided not to subscribe, when you move to an employer-provided plan that includes Copilot access, or when you realise the monthly cost doesn't justify your usage patterns. Cancelling within your current billing cycle stops the next charge from processing, protecting your budget.
GitHub Copilot pricing in australia and your billing options
GitHub prices Copilot in US dollars, but your bank or payment processor converts charges to Australian dollars at the exchange rate active on the payment date. The approximate AUD figures below reflect current mid-market rates and may vary slightly depending on your financial institution's conversion fees.
| Plan |
Billing cycle |
Approx AU$ per month |
Best suited for |
| Free |
Ongoing (no charge) |
A$0 |
Open source contributors and casual learners |
| Pro |
Monthly or yearly |
A$15.00 |
Individual developers wanting unlimited completions |
| Pro+ |
Monthly or yearly |
A$58.50 |
Developers needing access to advanced models |
| Business |
Monthly or yearly |
Custom pricing |
Teams and organisations needing seat management |
Exchange rates fluctuate daily. Your actual charge may be slightly higher or lower depending on the rate GitHub's payment processor applies at the moment they process your payment. Always verify the exact amount in your account settings before your billing date arrives.
Understanding GitHub's billing cycles
GitHub charges you on the anniversary of your subscription start date if you selected monthly billing, or once per year if you chose annual billing. If you cancel mid-cycle, GitHub's refund policy determines whether you receive a prorated refund for the unused portion of your current billing period. Most paid plans allow cancellation immediately, with no further charges after your current cycle ends.
Your consumer rights under australian consumer law
Australian Consumer Law protects your rights when you cancel subscriptions and pursue refunds for services that fail to meet your expectations.
What australian consumer law requires of GitHub
The Australian Consumer Law, enforced by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), requires that digital services like GitHub Copilot be supplied with due care and skill. GitHub must provide clear information about cancellation terms, charges, and your rights before you purchase. If Copilot fails to perform as promised, or if GitHub charges you after you cancel, you have the right to a refund or remedy under this legislation.
In accordance with the ACCC's Digital Subscription guidance, GitHub must stop charging you immediately upon cancellation or at the end of your current billing cycle, whichever applies under their published terms. If a charge appears on your account after you cancel, you have strong legal grounds to dispute it and claim a refund.
Your legal position on cancellation and refunds
You hold the right to cancel your GitHub Copilot subscription at any time, for any reason. If you cancel mid-cycle, GitHub may offer a prorated refund for the unused portion, though this depends on their specific cancellation policy and the circumstances of your subscription. If you're charged in error or after you've already cancelled, contact GitHub's support team immediately to dispute the charge and request reversal.
Should GitHub fail to respond to your refund request within a reasonable timeframe (generally 10 to 20 business days), you can lodge a complaint with the ACCC at accc.gov.au. The ACCC maintains detailed guidance on digital subscription disputes and enforces consumer rights on behalf of Australian customers.
How to cancel GitHub Copilot on your individual account
Cancellation requires you to access your GitHub account settings and disable your subscription through the billing section. Follow these steps carefully to ensure cancellation takes effect immediately.
Step 1: sign in to your GitHub account
Open your web browser and navigate to github.com. Click the sign-in link in the top right corner and enter your GitHub username or email address and password. If you use two-factor authentication, complete that step as well. Ensure you're signed in to the account associated with your Copilot subscription.
Step 2: access your account settings and billing section
Click the profile icon in the top right corner of the GitHub interface. Select "Settings" from the dropdown menu. On the left sidebar, locate and click "Billing & licensing" or "Plans and usage," depending on your account's interface version. This section displays all active subscriptions tied to your account.
Step 3: find and select the GitHub Copilot section
Scroll down to the Copilot section within the billing page. You will see your current plan name (Pro, Pro+, or Business), your billing cycle frequency (monthly or yearly), and the renewal date. Next to this information, you should see a "Cancel subscription" button or link.
Step 4: initiate the cancellation process
Click the "Cancel subscription" button. GitHub will display a confirmation screen asking you to confirm that you want to cancel. Read the confirmation message carefully. It will clarify whether your access ends immediately or at the end of your current billing cycle. Select the option to confirm cancellation.
Step 5: confirm cancellation and verify removal
After you click confirm, GitHub displays a message stating that your subscription has been cancelled. Make a note of the cancellation date shown on screen. Return to your billing settings within 2 to 3 minutes to verify that the Copilot section now shows "No active plan" or "Free plan only." This confirms that cancellation has taken effect in GitHub's system.
Cancelling GitHub Copilot for your organisation or team
If you manage Copilot subscriptions for an organisation, you must disable assigned seats rather than cancel individual subscriptions. Organisation administrators follow a different process than individual subscribers.
Step 1: log in with organisation administrator credentials
Sign in to GitHub using an account with owner or administrator privileges for your organisation. Navigate to your organisation's main page by clicking the organisation name in the top left corner of GitHub.
Step 2: access organisation settings and Copilot billing
Click "Settings" in the organisation menu. On the left sidebar, select "Billing & licensing." Scroll down to the "Copilot" section. You will see the number of assigned Copilot seats and the total cost for your organisation's plan.
Step 3: disable assigned Copilot seats
Click "Manage Copilot" or the equivalent option within the Copilot section. You will see a list of organisation members who currently have Copilot access. Select the members you wish to remove from Copilot, then click "Remove" or "Disable access." Repeat this process until all members are removed from the plan.
Step 4: confirm full cancellation
Once all seats are disabled, GitHub will allow you to cancel the organisation's Copilot subscription. Click "Cancel subscription" and confirm. Your organisation will no longer incur charges for Copilot after the current billing cycle ends.
What happens after you cancel GitHub Copilot
Understanding the post-cancellation timeline helps you avoid confusion and catch any billing errors quickly.
Immediate changes to your access
Upon cancellation, your access to Copilot features depends on GitHub's cancellation policy. If you cancelled at mid-cycle, you typically retain access until the end of your current billing period. If you cancelled close to your renewal date, access may end immediately. Check your billing settings to confirm your access end date.
Monitoring your account after cancellation
Review your billing statement 5 to 7 days after your cancellation to confirm that no new charges have appeared. If GitHub charged you after your cancellation date, contact their support team immediately with proof of cancellation. Keep the confirmation screen or email from your cancellation as evidence. Request a refund for any unauthorised charges and escalate to the ACCC if GitHub refuses.
Refund eligibility and timelines
If you cancel within 14 days of purchasing a paid plan, you may be eligible for a full refund under Australian Consumer Law's cooling-off period, provided you did not substantially use the service. For cancellations after 14 days, GitHub may apply a prorated refund if you cancelled mid-cycle. Check GitHub's cancellation policy for their specific refund terms. Yafee recommends keeping all documentation of your cancellation and any refund communications for your records.
Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling GitHub Copilot
Cancellation is straightforward, but small mistakes can lead to unexpected charges or lost refund opportunities. Stay alert to these pitfalls and protect your budget.
Confusing account settings with billing settings
Many users navigate to general account settings and look for a cancellation option there. Cancellation always lives in the "Billing & licensing" or "Plans and usage" section, not in general account preferences. If you cannot find the cancellation button, verify that you are in the correct billing section of your account.
Cancelling without checking your renewal date
If you cancel one day before your subscription renews, GitHub may still charge you for the next cycle depending on their system processing time. Cancel at least 3 to 5 days before your renewal date to ensure the cancellation processes before the charge. Your renewal date appears clearly in the billing section.
Assuming cancellation has taken effect without verification
Always return to your billing settings after cancellation and confirm that Copilot no longer shows as an active subscription. Do not assume the cancellation worked based on the initial confirmation screen alone. Yafee has helped thousands of customers avoid unexpected charges by verifying cancellation in their account settings.
Failing to dispute unauthorised charges promptly
If a charge appears after you cancel, dispute it with GitHub's support team within 14 days of the charge date. The sooner you report the error, the faster GitHub can process a refund. If you wait longer than 30 days, you may lose the opportunity to dispute the charge through your bank or payment method.
Refunds and dispute resolution if you're charged after cancellation
If GitHub charges you after you cancel, you have clear legal remedies under Australian Consumer Law to recover the money.
Step 1: contact GitHub support with proof of cancellation
Email GitHub support or use their support portal to report the unauthorised charge. Include the following information:
- Your GitHub username and email address
- The date you cancelled your subscription
- A screenshot of your billing settings showing no active Copilot plan
- The date and amount of the charge you dispute
- Your bank or credit card statement showing the charge
Request that GitHub reverse the charge and provide written confirmation of the cancellation. GitHub typically responds to refund requests within 5 to 10 business days.
Step 2: escalate if GitHub doesn't respond or refuses
If GitHub does not respond within 10 business days or refuses to refund the charge, contact your bank or credit card provider and lodge a dispute or chargeback claim. Provide your bank with the same documentation you sent GitHub, including the cancellation confirmation and evidence of the unauthorised charge.
Step 3: escalate to the ACCC if the issue remains unresolved
If your bank's dispute process does not result in a refund, lodge a complaint with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. Visit accc.gov.au and use their online complaint form. Include all documentation: your cancellation confirmation, GitHub's response (or lack thereof), your bank's response, and copies of the disputed charges. The ACCC investigates complaints and can compel GitHub to refund unauthorised charges. Yafee recommends documenting every communication in this process.
Quick checklist for cancelling GitHub Copilot
Use this checklist to ensure you've completed every step correctly and protected yourself from unexpected charges.
| Task |
Status |
| Signed in to your GitHub account with correct credentials |
☐ |
| Navigated to Billing & licensing or Plans and usage section |
☐ |
| Located Copilot section and clicked Cancel subscription |
☐ |
| Confirmed cancellation on the confirmation screen |
☐ |
| Verified that Copilot no longer shows as active in billing settings |
☐ |
| Saved the cancellation confirmation screen or email |
☐ |
Keep or cancel: comparing GitHub Copilot to free alternatives
Before cancelling, consider whether a free alternative might suit your needs. This table compares GitHub Copilot with other coding assistance tools available in Australia.
| Tool |
Cost in AUD |
Best for |
Limitations |
| GitHub Copilot Pro |
A$15/month |
Professional developers |
Requires paid subscription |
| GitHub Copilot Free |
Free |
Open source contributors |
Limited monthly completions |
| TabNine |
Free to A$12/month |
Developers wanting customisation |
Smaller community than Copilot |
| Codeium |
Free to A$20/month |
Developers wanting privacy control |
Newer tool, smaller user base |
| Amazon CodeWhisperer |
Free to A$19/month |
AWS developers |
Best integrated with AWS services |
| JetBrains AI Assistant |
A$18/month |
JetBrains IDE users |
Limited to JetBrains products |
If cost is your primary concern, GitHub's free plan and alternative free tiers may satisfy your coding assistance needs. Yafee recommends testing these alternatives before cancelling your paid subscription, ensuring you won't regret the decision later.
How yafee helps you cancel services and protect your consumer rights
Cancelling subscriptions involves navigating unfamiliar system interfaces, understanding cancellation policies, and protecting yourself from billing errors. Yafee specialises in helping Australian consumers cancel unwanted services by breaking down complex procedures into clear, actionable steps grounded in consumer law.
When you use Yafee, you gain access to verified cancellation guides that reference your legal rights under Australian Consumer Law and identify the specific enforcement bodies you can contact if a company refuses to honour your cancellation. Yafee has helped thousands of consumers cancel subscriptions ranging from streaming services to software licenses, recovering thousands of dollars in unauthorised charges and refunds.
Whether you're cancelling GitHub Copilot or any other subscription service, Yafee provides step-by-step guidance, refund templates, and escalation paths to the ACCC if disputes arise. Visit yafee.com today to explore cancellation guides for other services, access refund demand templates, and learn your rights under Australian Consumer Law. Yafee empowers you to take control of your subscriptions and your budget.