Manage Fitness First

How to cancel your fitness first membership in australia: your rights and step-by-step guide

What fitness first membership actually costs you

Fitness First operates a tiered membership system across Australia, ranging from budget single-club Home plans to premium Black Label and Titanium offerings. Understanding the full cost structure-including hidden fees and automatic charges-is essential before you commit, and equally important when you decide to leave.

Membership tiers and weekly pricing

Fitness First publishes multiple membership options, each with different access levels and price points. Your choice depends on whether you want to use one club or access the national network.

Hidden fees that increase your real cost

Beyond the weekly membership charge, Fitness First applies additional fees that significantly affect what you actually pay each month. When you sign up, the company charges a one-off administration fee. After that, a quarterly account service fee gets added to your bill automatically.

To calculate your true monthly cost, multiply your weekly membership fee by 52, divide by 12, then add your quarterly service fees divided by 3. This gives you the real number to budget for each month.

Why you might need to cancel and when you have the strongest position

Your reason for cancelling affects which consumer protections apply to you and how quickly you can exit your contract. Stopee recognises that life circumstances change-whether due to financial hardship, injury, relocation or simple loss of interest.

Situations where you have stronger cancellation rights

Australian consumer law provides specific protections in certain circumstances. If you fall into one of these categories, your cancellation becomes simpler and cheaper.

• Within 7 business days of joining: You have an automatic cooling-off period. Fitness First must let you cancel with a full refund of fees paid (minus any services already used) within this window. No questions asked, no cancellation fees apply.
• Permanent medical incapacity: If a doctor certifies you cannot physically use the gym due to illness or injury, you can terminate early. Fitness First may require medical evidence, but you should not face full contract cancellation fees.
• Death or bankruptcy: The deceased's estate or a bankrupt member can terminate without penalty.
• Relocation beyond reasonable travel distance: If you move interstate or more than 50 km from your home club, some contracts allow early termination with reduced fees.
• Club closure: If Fitness First closes your home club and does not offer a suitable alternative within your travel area, you can cancel without penalty.

Ordinary cancellations and what they cost

If you fall outside these protected categories and want to exit before your minimum contract term ends, Fitness First applies a structured early termination fee. This fee is designed to cover the member value the company loses by releasing you early.

The exact amount depends on your contract type and how much of the minimum term remains. Stopee advises that you request a written termination quote before you formally cancel-never proceed on verbal assurance.

Your rights under australian consumer law and how to use them

Fitness First memberships are regulated by the Australian Consumer Law, administered by the ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) and supported by state-based fair trading offices. Understanding these rights puts you in a stronger position when dealing with the company.

The 7 business day cooling-off period

The law gives you 7 business days from the day you sign your Fitness First membership agreement to change your mind with no penalty. This period applies to all new memberships in Australia, regardless of membership tier or contract length.

Within these 7 business days, you can request cancellation and must receive a full refund of all fees and charges paid, except any fees for services you have actually used (such as personal training sessions or classes attended). Fitness First cannot charge administration fees, cancellation fees or early termination fees during this window.

Pro tip: Keep your membership agreement and proof of join date. Count 7 business days from the date you signed (excluding weekends and public holidays). If Fitness First tries to charge you a cancellation fee during this period, escalate to your state fair trading office immediately.

Automatic contract renewal and your right to cancel periodic agreements

Once your minimum contract term ends, your Fitness First membership automatically converts to a periodic (rolling) agreement. You then have the right to cancel on 30 days' notice in most states, or 14 days' notice in the ACT and South Australia.

Fitness First must provide you written notice of the end of your minimum term and your cancellation rights before the conversion happens. If the company fails to give you this notice and charges you beyond your minimum term, you have grounds to dispute those charges.

Misleading or hidden contract terms

If Fitness First has failed to clearly disclose fees, automatic charges, cancellation costs or contract length before you signed, the ACCC considers this misleading conduct. You may be entitled to a full refund or damages even after your cooling-off period ends.

Keep records of all marketing material shown to you, emails from Fitness First, your signed agreement and any statements from staff about costs or cancellation. These documents are your evidence if you need to lodge a complaint with your state fair trading office or the ACCC.

Methods to cancel your fitness first membership

Fitness First offers three primary cancellation channels, each with different response times and paper trails. Your choice of method affects how quickly the company processes your request and how much proof you retain.

Option 1: cancel by phone (fastest confirmation)

Calling your home club directly is the fastest way to start the cancellation process. The club receives your request in real time and you hear the staff member confirm receipt.

1. Call your home club directly on 1300 55 77 99 (Fitness First national member services line). Have your membership number ready.
2. Ask to speak with a staff member in the membership or cancellations team. Do not accept a voicemail or callback request unless you have no other option.
3. Clearly state: "I want to cancel my Fitness First membership effective [insert date or 'immediately']."
4. Listen as the staff member explains any early termination fees, refund amounts and final payment dates. Do not agree to anything you do not understand.
5. Ask the staff member to email you a written cancellation confirmation including the cancellation date, any final balance and the date your membership ends. Do not rely on verbal confirmation alone.
6. Hang up only after you have received the confirmation email or have been given a written confirmation number.

Warning: Staff may try to retain you by offering a free month, discount or Time Freeze option. Politely decline if you want to cancel. These retention offers do not stop your contract end date and may extend your billing.

Option 2: cancel in person at your home club (highest confidence)

Walking into your home club and requesting cancellation face-to-face leaves no room for misunderstanding and creates an in-person record. The staff member processes your cancellation immediately and you leave with written proof.

1. Visit your home club during business hours. Ask at reception for the membership or cancellations team.
2. Bring your membership card or written confirmation of your membership number.
3. Request a printed cancellation form. Fitness First provides a standard form for this purpose.
4. Complete the form with the cancellation date (you can request effective immediately or a future date) and any reason you wish to record.
5. Ask the staff member to explain any early termination fees, refund amounts and final payment dates in writing on the form or in an attached summary.
6. Request a printed copy of the signed cancellation form before you leave. This is your proof of cancellation.
7. Take a photo or scan of the form for your records as soon as you arrive home.

Pro tip: Visit during off-peak hours (early morning, mid-afternoon on weekdays) when staff are less rushed. This increases the chance the staff member will explain your options fully and provide clear written confirmation.

Option 3: email or online portal (paper trail, slower response)

If you prefer written communication, you can submit a cancellation request by email to your home club or via the Fitness First online member portal.

1. Log into your Fitness First member account on the official Fitness First website.
2. Navigate to Account Settings or Membership Management.
3. Select "Request Cancellation" or similar option. Complete any online form with your membership number and desired cancellation date.
4. If no online cancellation option is available, email your home club directly. Find the club email address on fitnessfirst.com.au or call 1300 55 77 99 to request it.
5. In your email, state your full name, membership number and date of birth. Write: "I am requesting immediate cancellation of my membership effective [date]."
6. Ask for written confirmation of your cancellation request, any early termination fees and your final payment date.
7. Save all emails sent and received. Screenshot the email timestamps and sender addresses as backup proof.

Warning: Email cancellation requests can disappear into support queues. Follow up by phone within 3 business days if you have not received confirmation.

Timeline and what happens after you submit your cancellation request

After you request cancellation, Fitness First follows a specific process. Understanding these steps helps you monitor the cancellation and catch any errors.

Immediate actions after your cancellation request

When you submit your cancellation request (by phone, in person or email), Fitness First should immediately:

• Confirm your cancellation date in writing (email or printed form)
• Calculate any early termination fee owed (if applicable)
• Specify your final payment date and amount
• Confirm the date your membership access ends (usually same day as cancellation date or on the last day of the billing cycle)

If Fitness First does not provide this information within 1 business day, contact your home club again and request written confirmation by email.

Final payment and refund processing

Fitness First processes your final payment using your stored payment method. Your membership access ends on the cancellation date or last day of your billing period-whichever comes first.

If you have paid in advance for weeks or months beyond your cancellation date, Stopee advises requesting a refund of unused fees. The company is legally required to refund any amount you have prepaid beyond your actual membership end date.

Allow 5-7 business days for the refund to appear in your bank account after cancellation is confirmed.

Verifying your cancellation and clearing your access card

After your cancellation date, test your access card at your home club. If the card still grants entry after your stated cancellation date, return immediately to reception and report the error. Do not continue using the gym after cancellation as you may be charged.

Request written confirmation that your access has been revoked and your membership is inactive. Keep this proof in case any billing disputes arise.

Refunds, credits and how to claim money back

Your refund eligibility depends on when you cancel and which contract protections apply to you. Stopee has helped thousands of consumers understand their refund rights in gym contracts.

Refunds within the 7 business day cooling-off period

If you cancel within 7 business days of joining, you are entitled to a full refund of all fees and charges paid, except:

• Any fees for services you have actually used (personal training, classes attended, facility passes)
• Reasonable costs Fitness First incurred in processing your membership (the company may deduct a small administrative cost, but this should be transparent)

Fitness First must process this refund within 10 business days of receiving your cancellation request.

Refunds after the cooling-off period

Once the 7 business day period expires, your refund rights depend on your situation:

• Medical incapacity or protected grounds: You are entitled to a pro-rata refund of any membership fees prepaid beyond the date of cancellation, minus a reasonable early termination fee.
• Before minimum contract term ends (ordinary cancellation): You receive a pro-rata refund of prepaid membership fees after the company deducts the full early termination fee.
• After minimum contract term ends (periodic agreement): You receive a full refund of any membership fees prepaid beyond your notice period end date. No cancellation fee applies.

Pro tip: Request your refund calculation in writing before you approve cancellation. Never assume the final amount the staff member quotes verbally-ask for a written quote showing how the refund was calculated.

How to claim a refund if fitness first delays or refuses

If Fitness First fails to process your refund within 10 business days, send the company a formal written demand. Email your home club and Fitness First customer service with the subject line: "Formal refund demand - [Your name] - Membership number [number]."

In the email, state:

• The date you requested cancellation
• The date Fitness First confirmed your cancellation
• The refund amount owed
• The date by which you expect payment (5 business days)
• A statement that you will escalate the matter to your state fair trading office or the ACCC if payment is not received

Save this email and any response. If Fitness First does not pay within 5 business days, lodge a formal complaint with your state fair trading office (links provided at the end of this guide).

Common mistakes people make when cancelling fitness first

Cancellation confusion and avoidable errors cost members money and extend billing beyond the intended date. Learning from others' mistakes puts you ahead.

Mistake 1: assuming the gym will cancel for you

Fitness First does not automatically cancel your membership when you stop attending. The company will continue charging your payment method indefinitely until you formally request cancellation in writing.

What to do: Submit a cancellation request actively. Do not wait for the company to notice you have not attended in months.

Mistake 2: cancelling verbally without written confirmation

Staff may promise your cancellation is processed, but without written proof, you have no evidence if billing errors occur later. Disputes rely on paper trails.

What to do: Always request written cancellation confirmation by email or printed form. Do not accept verbal assurance alone, no matter how confident the staff member sounds.

Mistake 3: paying your final bill before confirming the cancellation date

If you pay charges after requesting cancellation, Fitness First may interpret this as acceptance of the membership and delay your cancellation request processing.

What to do: Do not make any payments after you request cancellation. Wait for written confirmation of your cancellation date and final amount, then pay only what is listed on that confirmation.

Mistake 4: cancelling during the wrong part of your billing cycle

If you cancel mid-billing-cycle, you may owe charges for the remainder of that period. Some members believe they can cancel immediately and stop all charges the same day-but the contract may require you to pay until the end of the current billing week or month.

What to do: Ask Fitness First when your next billing date is before you cancel. Choose a cancellation date that aligns with your billing cycle end to minimise final charges.

Mistake 5: not requesting a written early termination fee quote

Early termination fees vary based on contract type, minimum term and how much term remains. Staff may quote you a fee verbally that does not match your actual contract.

What to do: Request a written quote of all cancellation fees before you agree to cancel. Get this on email or paper form signed by a staff member. Never proceed without this proof.

What to do after your fitness first membership has ended

Cancellation does not end when the company confirms your request-you need to actively verify the membership is truly gone and monitor your accounts for any billing errors.

Monitor your bank account for 60 days

Even after your stated cancellation date, watch your bank statement closely for 60 days. Billing errors are common in gym cancellations, and early detection makes disputes much easier to resolve.

If any charges appear after your cancellation date, contact your bank immediately and request a chargeback or dispute. Simultaneously, send a formal email to Fitness First stating that charges were taken after cancellation and demanding an immediate refund.

Request your final statement from fitness first

After your cancellation is complete, email Fitness First asking for a final itemised statement showing:

• Your membership start and end dates
• All fees charged (weekly membership, administration, account service fees)
• Any early termination fee deducted
• Any refund processed
• Your final balance (zero if everything is settled correctly)

Keep this statement as permanent proof your account is settled. If you are ever contacted for collection on an old Fitness First account, you can immediately provide this statement as evidence.

Check your credit file

If Fitness First claims you owe money after your cancellation date, the company may report it to a debt collection agency or credit bureau, damaging your credit score. Visit equifax.com.au and afsl.com.au (AGSM Australia) to check your credit file for any negative entries.

If you see a Fitness First debt listed after your cancellation, escalate to your state fair trading office immediately. Stopee recommends keeping all cancellation correspondence for at least 7 years as proof the debt is invalid.

How to prevent problems and protect yourself going forward

Prevention is always simpler than fixing disputes after the fact. These steps help you protect yourself before and during your Fitness First membership.

Actions to take before you join

Read your membership agreement fully before you sign. Look specifically for:

• The exact minimum contract term (3, 12, 18 or 24 months)
• The cancellation notice period after the minimum term ends (should be 30 days in most states)
• The early termination fee formula and maximum amount
• All fees listed (administration, account service, Time Freeze costs)
• Whether Time Freeze counts toward your minimum term
• Automatic renewal language and how to cancel periodic agreements

If anything is unclear, ask the staff member to explain in writing before you sign. Do not sign if you do not fully understand the contract terms.

Keep all communications from fitness first

Save every email, text, printed form and receipt from Fitness First. Organise them in a folder with your membership agreement. If any dispute arises, this archive is your strongest defence.

Stopee advises taking screenshots of your member portal showing your membership status and billing history. These screenshot provide timestamped evidence of what Fitness First showed you at any given moment.

Use your bank's payment schedule features

If Fitness First charges via direct debit, set a calendar reminder 5 days before your intended cancellation date. This reminder gives you time to cancel before the next charge is processed, minimising the final amount owed.

How stopee can support your cancellation process

Navigating gym contracts independently is challenging, especially when companies use dense contract language and vague fee structures. Stopee (stopee.com) provides clear, step-by-step cancellation guides for Australian services, including detailed advice on your consumer rights.

Our guides walk you through every major service cancellation in Australia, helping you understand your legal protections, avoid costly mistakes and recover refunds you are entitled to. Whether your issue is billing confusion, delayed refunds or contract disputes, Stopee has helped thousands of Australian consumers cancel successfully and claim the money owed to them.

Summary: your fitness first cancellation checklist

Use this checklist to ensure you have covered every step before and after your cancellation request:

Where to escalate if fitness first refuses to cancel or disputes your claim

If Fitness First ignores your cancellation request, charges you after your cancellation date or refuses to process a refund, formal escalation is your next step. Your state fair trading office has legal authority to investigate and force the company to comply.

State fair trading offices (contact by state)

Lodge a formal complaint with your relevant state office:

• New South Wales: Fair Work Ombudsman and NSW Fair Trading, fairtrading.nsw.gov.au or call 13 32 20
• Victoria: Consumer Affairs Victoria, consumer.vic.gov.au or call 1300 55 81 81
• Queensland: Queensland Office of Fair Trading, fairtrading.qld.gov.au or call 13 74 50
• Western Australia: Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety, dmirs.wa.gov.au or call 1300 30 40 54
• South Australia: South Australian Consumer and Business Services, cbs.sa.gov.au or call 13 16 50
• Tasmania: Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading Tasmania, consumeraffairs.tas.gov.au or call 1300 654 499
• ACT: ACT Gambling and Racing Commission, access.canberra.act.gov.au or call 13 22 81
• Northern Territory: NT Consumer Affairs, nt.gov.au or call 1800 019 319

Australian competition and consumer commission (ACCC)

For complaints involving misleading or deceptive conduct, unfair contract terms or systemic issues, escalate to the ACCC at accc.gov.au or call 1300 302 502. The ACCC investigates breaches of the Australian Consumer Law and can take enforcement action against companies that systematically breach consumer rights.

Your bank and payment provider

If Fitness First continues charging your card after cancellation, contact your bank and dispute the charges. Request a chargeback or reversal citing unauthorised charges on a cancelled membership. Most banks will reverse these charges within 30 days if you provide evidence of your cancellation request.

Stopee reminds you that involving your bank immediately strengthens your position and creates another official record of the dispute, which helps when escalating to fair trading offices.

Final takeaway: you have stronger rights than you may think

Fitness First members often feel trapped by long contracts and fear they will lose money if they need to leave early. In reality, Australian consumer law provides robust protections-a 7 business day cooling-off period, hardship provisions, transparency requirements and dispute resolution pathways.

The key is knowing these rights, documenting every interaction with Fitness First and being willing to escalate if the company tries to ignore you. Stopee has helped thousands of Australian consumers cancel gym memberships, claim refunds and hold companies accountable when they breach consumer law. You are not locked in permanently, and you should not let confusing contracts or retention tactics keep you paying for a service you no longer use.

Follow the step-by-step cancellation methods outlined in this guide, gather your written evidence and contact your home club today if you have decided to leave. Your home club's address and contact details are available on fitnessfirst.com.au or by calling 1300 55 77 99. Stopee is here to support Australian consumers through every cancellation process-visit stopee.com for guides on hundreds of other services you may need to cancel.