Vorwerk Australia Pty Ltd, operating as Thermomix in Australia, has faced penalties totaling $79,200 after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) issued four infringement notices. These notices were a result of allegations that the company made false or misleading representations regarding its products, specifically suggesting that the Thermomix TM6 cooking product and Kobold cordless vacuum and mop were endorsed by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

The ACCC's scrutiny began in November 2024, when it alerted businesses about problematic advertising practices aimed at NDIS participants. Following this, the ACCC has taken compliance and enforcement actions against several companies. The allegations against Thermomix include claims made on its website that described its products as 'NDIS approved', 'NDIS-registered product', and other misleading terms.

ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb emphasized that the NDIS does not provide specific approvals for goods or services, highlighting that each participant's funding is determined individually based on their unique needs. Misleading advertising that targets vulnerable consumers is a significant concern for the ACCC, which is committed to taking appropriate action against such practices.

The Australian Government's NDIS Taskforce, which includes the ACCC, was established to address potential breaches of Australian Consumer Law, particularly in relation to NDIS participants being charged unfairly for goods and services. Consumers who believe they have encountered false or misleading advertising related to NDIS endorsements are encouraged to report these issues to the ACCC.

Vorwerk Australia is the sole distributor of Thermomix products in Australia and operates TheMix Shop, an ecommerce platform for its products. The company recently completed an acquisition of The Mix Australia Pty Ltd, which previously held the license to distribute Thermomix appliances in Australia. The ACCC has also taken action against other businesses for similar misleading claims regarding NDIS endorsements.