Consumer advocate CHOICE has handed out its annual Shonky Awards for 2026, targeting companies it says are continuing to treat Australians poorly at a time when household budgets are already under pressure. Appliance maker Hisense, airline Virgin Australia, and ticketing giants Ticketek and Ticketmaster are among the biggest names to receive gongs at the 21st iteration of the awards, announced on Wednesday.
CHOICE chief executive Monique Perry said the volume of contenders showed no improvement in corporate behaviour. "At a time when most consumers are doing it tough, you'd think that companies might give us all a break," Perry said. "Unfortunately, consumers continue to be treated badly by businesses across Australia, so there was no shortage of contenders."
The 25-hour washer-dryer that games the energy rating system
Hisense drew particular attention for its Series 8i washer-dryer combo, which was advertised as achieving an eight-star energy efficiency rating for drying and a five-star rating for washing. The catch, according to CHOICE, is that those ratings are only achievable using a specific Eco setting, not the standard modes most households would reach for on a typical laundry day.
Running both the washing and drying functions back-to-back on Eco mode takes more than 25 hours to launder a single load. CHOICE noted that the drying cycle alone exceeds 13 hours under this setting, making it impractical for most homes.
Perry said the issue was not unique to Hisense but reflected a broader flaw in how energy ratings are determined. "Manufacturers get to nominate their own program for energy ratings and it's usually one that produces the best energy-efficiency outcome, rather than one households would actually use," she said, describing the practice as "gaming a broken system."
Hisense responded by noting that some customers do choose to run cycles overnight to take advantage of off-peak electricity pricing, while others prioritise speed and capacity over efficiency.
It is worth noting that washer-dryer combo units generally take longer than standalone appliances. CHOICE singled out the Hisense model specifically because of the gap between what its advertised ratings imply and what consumers might reasonably expect when buying the product.
Fleecing fans: Ticketek and Ticketmaster hit with Shonky Awards
Both major ticketing platforms received awards over what CHOICE described as "tricky ticket tactics," pointing to the growing use of dynamic pricing in Australia. Under dynamic pricing, ticket costs fluctuate based on demand, a practice already common in markets like the United States but increasingly adopted here.
Perry cited two specific examples. John Farnham tribute concert tickets sold through Ticketek reportedly reached $1,650 due to inflated pricing, while NRL supporters buying tickets through Ticketmaster in 2026 reported "In Demand" seats priced at $50 more than a regular seat located just one row and one bay away.
Ticketek argued that dynamic pricing is the most effective tool for reducing scalping by third-party resellers. Ticketmaster said event organisers set prices for sought-after seats closer to market value and may adjust them over the sales period, adding that prices do not automatically rise simply because more fans join a queue. For fans frustrated by the experience, it is a debate that shows no sign of resolving soon, as explored in our coverage of fans going to extraordinary lengths for live experiences.
Virgin Australia and expired COVID credits
Virgin Australia also received a Shonky for its handling of flight credits issued to customers whose travel was cancelled during the COVID-19 pandemic. CHOICE pointed to figures indicating the airline retained $75 million in credits that expired after it imposed a deadline requiring customers to book travel by 30 June 2026, with a further deadline attached for the actual travel itself.
CHOICE's criticism centres on customers who received the credits involuntarily due to flight cancellations during a period of global disruption, only to later find those credits had an expiry attached.
Perry's overarching message for this year's Shonkys was pointed: Australian consumers deserve better, and the range of winners across appliances, travel and entertainment suggests the problem spans the entire economy.
