The parent company of Thermomix, Vorwerk, has responded to the fine issued by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) regarding the use of NDIS related statements to help sell its machines.
In a statement supplied to Appliance Retailer, Vorwerk provided further information regarding the background to the ACCC prosecution and the relationship the business has with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Vorwerk Australia Pty Ltd has confirmed it is a registered NDIS Provider and the ACCC wrote to Vorwerk Australia as far back as 14 February 2025 raising concerns related to the use of NDIS related statements on the Thermomix website including: ‘NDIS approved’, ‘NDIS-registered product’, ‘NDIS-consumables’, ‘NDIS-funded’, ‘NDIS assistive technology’, ‘NDIS equipment’, ‘through the NDIS’.
“While Vorwerk Australia is proud that Thermomix helps to improve the lives of Australians, including those living with disabilities, they have underestimated the complexity of being a registered NDIS provider. Vorwerk Australia has willingly cooperated with the ACCC throughout the investigation process which has now been fully resolved. Vorwerk Australia is grateful for the opportunity to address the ACCC’s concerns and rectified these immediately following that notification,” the company said in a statement.
“Vorwerk Australia would never intentionally or knowingly mislead any consumers, and we have not hesitated to take appropriate action to remedy all instances of concern raised by the ACCC. While some of the website references pre-date the acquisition of The Mix Australia Pty Ltd, we take full responsibility for communicating with all our customers in a clear and compliant manner.” said a spokesperson for Vorwerk Australia.
“The payment of this fine, and the associated media release dated 29/05/25, marks the end of a cooperative process to ensure Vorwerk Australia’s compliance with the rules and regulations that govern an NDIS relationship,” the company said.
German-based Vorwerk International & Co completed an acquisition of The Mix Australia Pty Ltd in November 2024 and the company has since been renamed as Vorwerk Australia Pty Ltd.