Cancellation service N°1 in Australia
Contract number:
To the attention of:
Cancellation Department – Microsoft 365
Level 27, 1 Denison Street
2060 North Sydney
Subject: Contract Cancellation – Certified Email Notification
Dear Sir or Madam,
I hereby notify you of my decision to terminate contract number relating to the Microsoft 365 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,
16/01/2026
How to Cancel Microsoft 365: Complete Guide
What is Microsoft 365
Microsoft 365 is a subscription suite that bundles productivity apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive and others), cloud storage and security features with continuing feature updates. Plans are offered for individuals, families and businesses and may include added AI features such as Copilot depending on the plan purchased. Subscriptions are sold on monthly or annual cycles and typically renew automatically unless the subscriber allows the subscription to expire or chooses an alternative at renewal.
Subscription plans and pricing at a glance
The following table reflects retail plan names and the prices as displayed for the Australia market. These amounts are the published Australian prices for Microsoft retail plans and may be subject to GST, promotions or periodic change.
| Plan | Billing option | Published price (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft 365 Personal | Annual | A$159.00/year |
| Microsoft 365 Personal | Monthly | A$16.00/month |
| Microsoft 365 Family | Annual | A$179.00/year |
| Microsoft 365 Family | Monthly | A$18.00/month |
| Microsoft 365 Basic (Outlook focused) | Annual | A$29.99/year |
| Microsoft 365 Business Basic | Per user, annual | A$9.00/user/month (paid yearly) |
Prices and plan features are documented on Microsoft’s local store pages and comparison tools. Promotional or introductory amounts may differ from ongoing pricing.
How cancellations typically work for Microsoft 365
Framework: subscriptions normally auto-renew at the end of each billing cycle. Cancellation prevents future automated charges but does not always result in immediate service removal. The subscriber’s right to continue using the service until the paid period expires is commonly preserved.
Billing cycles and effective dates: Microsoft offers monthly and annual billing. Cancelling before the next renewal generally stops future charges; the subscription term already paid usually remains available until its expiry date. Refunds are not automatic; refund eligibility depends on timing, plan type and purchase channel.
Free trial conversions: free trials commonly convert to a paid subscription at the trial end unless cancelled during the trial. If a trial converts, the timing of cancellation relative to the trial end determines whether charges occur and whether a refund is possible.
Proration and refunds: Microsoft’s guidance notes that not all cancellations lead to refunds. Prorated refunds are not guaranteed and depend on the reason for cancellation, the plan, the purchase channel and Microsoft’s refund policy for that product. If the subscription was purchased through a third party (app store, retailer or reseller), the third party’s terms control refunds for that transaction.
Data and access consequences: cancelling Microsoft 365 Personal, Basic, Family or Premium reduces OneDrive storage allowances to the free tier (usually 5 GB) and Outlook.com storage limits. If the account exceeds free storage after cancellation, upload/edit/sync functionality may be restricted; Microsoft states it may delete OneDrive data after a defined retention period if quotas are not reduced.
Customer experience with Microsoft 365 cancellations
What users report
Users on public forums and review sites report that subscription changes and refunds can be non-intuitive and that purchase-channel differences create confusion. Several Australian consumers reported finding a lower-cost “classic” plan option only after initiating a cancellation pathway, which prompted regulatory scrutiny. Paraphrased firsthand comments include descriptions of surprise at price increases and relief when a lower-cost alternative was located during the process.
Recurring issues and practical takeaways
Reported themes include unclear communication at price change, difficulty identifying which purchase channel governs refund rights, and concern about data retention after cancellation. Some users reported receiving refunds or credits in response to the public controversy, while others described delays. These reports illustrate the importance of verifying plan details, billing dates and storage usage before any change.
Legal and consumer rights that matter for Microsoft 365
Short statutory context: Australian Consumer Law (ACL) requires suppliers not to engage in misleading conduct and to provide remedies for consumers where statutory guarantees are breached. Regulators have publicly pursued matters where communication about plan options and price changes appeared misleading. Consequently, consumer remedies may be available beyond voluntary commercial refund offers.
Contractual terms and variations: subscription terms set out renewal, price change and refund clauses. In the event of a material change (for example, replacing core features or large price increases), consider whether the change was adequately disclosed and whether contractual or statutory remedies arise. Legal remedies are fact specific and depend on the particulars of the notification and the consumer’s reliance.
Documentation checklist
- Proof of purchase: retain receipts, order confirmations and the card statement entry showing the subscription charge.
- Subscription terms: keep a copy or screenshot of the terms displayed at purchase and at renewal dates where available.
- Billing history: export or save invoices and renewal notices showing dates and amounts.
- Trial records: if you used a free trial, keep the trial start and end dates and any trial confirmation.
- Data backup: backup OneDrive and important Outlook items before making a change that reduces storage allowances.
- Communication log: log the dates and content of relevant communications and any reference numbers for follow-up.
Common pitfalls and mistakes to avoid
- 1. Confusing purchase channel: buying via a third party (app store, reseller or retailer) changes which terms apply and who manages refunds.
- 2. Missing billing dates: cancelling too close to a renewal may result in an additional charge for the next period; timing matters.
- 3. Assuming immediate data deletion: although editing/uploading can be restricted after cancellation, some data retention periods apply before deletion - do not assume instant loss.
- 4. Failing to check shared subscriptions: cancelling a family plan can reduce allowances for all shared members; shared users may lose features or storage.
- 5. Overlooking trial conversion rules: free trials typically convert to paid subscriptions automatically unless actioned before the trial end.
Refunds, disputes and chargebacks
Refund eligibility depends on the original purchase terms, the timing of the cancellation and who sold the subscription. Microsoft’s guidance is that refunds are conditional and that purchases made through third parties are governed by those third parties’ refund rules.
Dispute options: where a refund is contested, consumers often raise formal disputes through their payment provider or pursue remedies under consumer protection law. Chargebacks and payment disputes can be effective but carry practical and contractual consequences; the merits depend on the evidence and the applicable terms. Keep documentary evidence to support any claim.
Regulatory developments: recent regulator action and public remediation offers demonstrate that widespread communication failures about price changes or plan options may yield redress. Where a consumer believes they were misled about plan options or price changes, they may seek assistance from the relevant consumer protection authority or a consumer legal service.
| Purchase channel | Typical refund implication | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Microsoft retail purchase | Refunds conditional; Microsoft policy applies | Refund timing and eligibility vary by plan and date of purchase. |
| App store (Apple/Google) | Subject to app store policy | App store terms and processes govern refunds; vendor terms may limit Microsoft’s direct ability to refund. |
| Third-party retailer/reseller | Subject to reseller terms | Retailer or reseller terms control transaction and remedy; policies vary widely - outcome may be "Varies". |
What to do after cancelling Microsoft 365
Monitor billing statements for at least two billing cycles to confirm that future charges have ceased and that any promised refunds have been processed. Maintain the documentation checklist described above to substantiate refund or dispute claims.
Secure your data: before changes take effect, export or synchronise critical OneDrive files and archive important Outlook items. If storage is reduced after cancellation, clear or move files to avoid disruption.
Review alternatives: evaluate alternative productivity suites or one-time licence options if ongoing subscription costs are a concern. When reassessing options, compare feature sets, storage limits and long-term costs rather than headline prices alone.
If you believe your consumer rights were affected by unclear communications or an unexpected price change, consider seeking advice from a consumer legal service or the regulatory agency that handles consumer matters. Keep precise dates, notices and transaction evidence to support any claim.
Address
- Address: Microsoft PTY Limited Postal Address: Level 27, 1 Denison Street North Sydney NSW 2060