Australia paid 45 percent more for Office, sued, and won refunds
Microsoft 365 prices jumped up to 45% in Asia-Pacific with Copilot bundled
One of only 20 things they have ever fully walked back.
The market's verdict: -4.5% on MSFT in the week after.
What actually happened
Starting mid 2024, Microsoft raised consumer Microsoft 365 prices across Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia by as much as 45 percent, with Copilot bundled in and no opt-out, renewals hitting from August. It was the dress rehearsal for the global hike of January 2025, except this audience had a regulator. Australia's ACCC sued in October 2025, alleging some 2.7 million customers were misled, and by November Microsoft had agreed to refunds and cheaper classic plans for around three million Australians. The same hike, shipped worldwide a few months later, met no such referee.
This one is well documented.
They did it more than once
Australia was the dress rehearsal. Everyone else got the same show without a regulator.
Links
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Impact
- CNET (publication)
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Context
- The Guardian (publication)
↳ caused by APAC Microsoft 365 price increases (2024)
Timeline
- Dec 27, 2024 Announced Microsoft announced it.
- Nov 6, 2025 Walked back Refunds and classic plans for ~3 million Australians after the ACCC case.