Search My Local is an independent guide to finding, checking and hiring local businesses in Australia. We publish plain-English guides in three areas: finding a business, including checking an ABN, reading reviews and understanding directories; hiring, including quotes, licences, contracts, deposits and safe payment; and your rights, including consumer guarantees, door-to-door cooling-off rules, the law on fake reviews and resolving disputes. Our free quote checker helps you compare up to three quotes side by side.
Why we exist
This web address once hosted a local business directory, which has since closed. There is no shortage of lists of businesses. What people often lack is a clear, independent explanation of how to choose between them and how to protect themselves when they hire. That's the gap we want to fill.
How we work
We write every guide in our own words. For facts about the law and government services we rely on official sources such as the Australian Business Register, the ACCC, Scamwatch, business.gov.au, Service NSW and the NSW Government. We list our sources on each page. We never invent statistics, prices, quotes or testimonials, and we don't rank or review individual businesses.
Independence
Search My Local (searchmylocal.com.au) is an independent information site. We are not a government agency, regulator or business directory, and we are not affiliated with, endorsed by or operated by any agency, business or organisation named on this site, any previous operator of this domain, or any business with a similar name.
General information only
Consumer, licensing and building rules differ between states and change over time. Our guides are general information, not legal or financial advice. For help with your situation, contact your state or territory consumer protection agency or a legal service.
Contact us
Spotted an error, or have a suggestion? Please use our contact page. We read every message, and we correct mistakes promptly.