Cancellation service N°1 in Australia
Contract number:
To the attention of:
Cancellation Department – New Scientist
58 Gipps Street
3066 Collingwood
Subject: Contract Cancellation – Certified Email Notification
Dear Sir or Madam,
I hereby notify you of my decision to terminate contract number relating to the New Scientist service. This notification constitutes a firm, clear and unequivocal intention to cancel the contract, effective at the earliest possible date or in accordance with the applicable contractual notice period.
I kindly request that you take all necessary measures to:
– cease all billing from the effective date of cancellation;
– confirm in writing the proper receipt of this request;
– and, where applicable, send me the final statement or balance confirmation.
This cancellation is sent to you by certified email. The sending, timestamping and integrity of the content are established, making it equivalent proof meeting the requirements of electronic evidence. You therefore have all the necessary elements to process this cancellation properly, in accordance with the applicable principles regarding written notification and contractual freedom.
In accordance with the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and data protection regulations, I also request that you:
– delete all my personal data not necessary for your legal or accounting obligations;
– close any associated personal account;
– and confirm to me the effective deletion of data in accordance with applicable rights regarding privacy protection.
I retain a complete copy of this notification as well as proof of sending.
Yours sincerely,
17/01/2026
How to Cancel New Scientist: Step-by-Step Guide
What is New Scientist
New Scientist is a weekly science and technology magazine that offers a mix of print issues, digital editions and website content together with app access and thematic guides. The title provides news, features and analysis on developments across the sciences and is distributed internationally; Australian readers typically subscribe to either digital-only, print plus digital or multi-issue packages sold through the publisher, app stores and third-party resellers.
Subscription models observed for New Scientist include single-issue purchases, multi-issue bundles and annual subscriptions sold through magazine retailers and app platforms. Third-party sellers list 6-, 12- and 24-month packages and digital bundles; the App Store lists in-app subscription price points for monthly and annual access.
Customer experiences with New Scientist cancellation
What users report
Public reviews and forum threads show a mix of positive feedback about editorial content and recurring complaints about the post-sale subscription experience. Several reviewers report successful cancellations but note delays in confirmation, while others report repeated or unexpected renewal charges after they believed cancellation had been processed. Trustpilot and similar consumer review platforms contain multiple examples of payment disputes and slow resolution of account queries.
Recurring issues and practical takeaways
Users commonly identify these patterns: unclear renewal timing, differences between purchase channels (publisher, app stores, resellers), and variable refund outcomes where trials or cooling-off periods have elapsed. Experienced subscribers recommend preserving transaction evidence and watching the billing date around the renewal window. Practical observations below reflect aggregated user feedback.
How cancellations typically work for New Scientist subscriptions
Framework: New Scientist subscriptions are generally sold as fixed-term or auto-renewing products. Auto-renewal clauses are commonly applied to digital subscriptions and trials; the existence of a trial or promotional rate does not always alter the renewal mechanics. App-store purchases also use subscription tokens managed by the store and may show different renewal dates and prices.
Notice periods and billing cycles: Subscriptions typically operate on weekly, monthly or annual billing cycles depending on the plan chosen. Renewal charges usually occur on or immediately after the end of the paid term. Contracts and terms will specify whether the renewal is automatic and whether the supplier will notify renewal in advance. Expect renewal to coincide with the original purchase date or the end of any trial period.
Proration and refunds: Pro-rata refunds for unused portions of an auto-renewed magazine subscription are not guaranteed. Some magazine suppliers and resellers state no change-of-mind refunds once a term has started; others allow refunds only within a defined cooling-off or trial window. Historical publisher material referencing New Scientist offers has mentioned a 14-day cooling-off period on certain promotional packages, but the availability of any post-purchase refund depends on the specific terms that applied at the time of sale. Always check the precise terms attached to the transaction.
Cooling-off periods: Consumer law provides specific protections for unsolicited agreements and certain door-to-door or telemarketing sales, but not all online subscriptions are covered by a statutory cooling-off right. Separately, New Scientist promotional material and reseller terms have at times offered a voluntary cooling-off or trial window (for example, references to a 14-day trial period appear in past offer documents). Where a supplier offers a voluntary cooling-off period, the supplier’s published terms determine the remedy available.
Disputes and chargebacks: If post-cancellation charges occur, consumers have options including disputing the transaction with their card issuer under the chargeback scheme and lodging complaints with consumer protection agencies. Documentation showing when you cancelled, what you were charged and the relevant terms will materially strengthen any dispute. Several user reports show chargeback steps were necessary when supplier responses were slow.
Subscription plans and pricing for New Scientist
| Source / purchase route | Typical plan | Representative AUD price |
|---|---|---|
| Third-party magazine retailer (example: iSubscribe) | 12 months / 51 issues (print) | A$320 (example promotional price) |
| Third-party magazine retailer (digital bundle) | Digital 51 issues | A$240 (example) |
| App store (in-app purchases) | Monthly / Annual in-app subscriptions | A$9.99 per month (example); annual levels vary. |
| Readly (aggregated app) | Access via multi-magazine subscription | A$14.99 per month (access to many titles) |
Notes: Prices vary by offer, geographic edition and sales channel. The table reflects representative Australian AUD prices shown on reseller and app-store listings at the time of review. Confirm exact pricing on your purchase confirmation.
Comparison of plan features for New Scientist
| Feature | Digital | Print + digital | App-store subscription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to website archive | Often included | Included | May be included depending on tier |
| Offline reading | Yes (app) | Yes | Yes |
| Delivery delay | None | Physical delivery lead time | None |
| Auto-renew | Common | Varies | Managed by app-store |
Service-specific detail: sellers and the publisher have historically operated multiple distribution channels, which results in different refund and renewal mechanics depending on whether the sale was made through the publisher, an app store or a magazine reseller.
Documentation checklist
- Purchase confirmation: retain the original invoice or order number.
- Terms snapshot: keep a copy or screenshot of the terms page that applied when you bought the subscription.
- Payment records: bank or card statements showing the purchase and the date of any renewal charge.
- Cancellation acknowledgement: any written confirmation or reference provided by the supplier after you cancelled.
- Correspondence log: dates and short notes of any contacts or complaint references for future dispute handling.
Common pitfalls and mistakes to avoid when cancelling New Scientist
- 1. Assuming cancellation is immediate without confirmation - retain proof that cancellation was acknowledged.
- 2. Ignoring the renewal date - many complaints arise from charges taken on the renewal date.
- 3. Overlooking channel differences - an app-store subscription may renew under the store’s rules rather than the publisher’s.
- 4. Missing trial windows - promotional trials can convert automatically to paid plans once the trial ends.
- 5. Not preserving the original terms - terms can change and the version at purchase governs your rights.
Legal rights and obligations relevant to New Scientist subscriptions
Regulatory framework: Australian Consumer Law sets out consumer guarantees and specific rules about unsolicited agreements and cooling-off rights. Those statutory protections operate alongside any contractual terms in the subscription agreement. Where a voluntary cooling-off period is offered by a supplier, that supplier’s terms set the practical remedy in addition to the law.
Contractual obligations: The contractual relationship will be governed by the terms accepted at purchase, which typically include renewal clauses, refund policy, and the supplier’s liability limitations. Where a contract conflicts with non-excludable statutory consumer guarantees, the statutory rights prevail. Keep both the terms and statutory provisions in mind when assessing remedies.
What to expect after cancelling New Scientist
Access and billing: After a valid cancellation you should expect the subscription to remain active until the end of the paid period unless the terms specify otherwise. Renewal charges should cease after the effective cancellation date but users report cases where charges were taken despite cancellation, requiring follow up. Monitor billing statements for at least one full billing cycle.
Refunds and rectification: If a refund is contractually available or required by statute, processing times vary. Many commercial refund policies indicate a processing window; statutory remedies can be pursued if the supplier refuses an otherwise lawful refund. Document any losses or erroneous charges to support disputes.
Escalation options: If a cancellation or refund dispute cannot be resolved, consumer protection agencies and your payment provider offer escalation routes. A chargeback via the card issuer is commonly used for unauthorised or incorrectly billed renewals, and regulators can be asked to intervene where systemic breach of consumer law is suspected.
Address
- Address: New Scientist, 58 Gipps Street, Collingwood, Victoria 3066, Australia