You have accepted the conditions of entry into a store if a notice asking you to display the contents of your shopping bag is:

• clearly displayed
• visible before you enter the store.

If you say ‘no’ to a bag search, the store manager may:

• ask you to leave. A store is private property, not a public place, so if the manager wants you to leave, for whatever reason, you must go
• refuse to sell you any products
• call the police, if they believe you have committed an offence such as shoplifting.

Bag search policies are not covered by the Australian Consumer Law.

If you want to dispute the store’s claim, you should seek independent legal advice.