Manage Github Copilot

How to cancel GitHub copilot in australia: your step-by-step guide

What is GitHub copilot and why you might cancel

GitHub Copilot is an artificial intelligence coding assistant that integrates with popular code editors to suggest completions, generate code snippets, and provide conversational coding help. GitHub offers tiered plans ranging from Free to Enterprise, each with different model access, usage limits, and management features.

You might cancel if you've finished a trial, switched to a workplace plan that includes Copilot, decided the subscription doesn't fit your workflow, or simply want to reduce software costs. Whatever your reason, cancelling promptly prevents unexpected charges and ensures you retain control of your billing.

GitHub copilot pricing in australia

GitHub prices Copilot in US dollars, but your bank or payment processor will convert charges to Australian dollars. The approximate AUD costs below reflect current mid-market exchange rates and may differ slightly depending on your financial institution.

Conversion rates fluctuate daily. Your actual charge may be slightly higher or lower depending on exchange rates at the time GitHub processes your payment. Always check your billing settings for the exact amount you'll be charged.

When cancelling makes sense

You should cancel if your trial period is ending and you haven't decided to keep the subscription, if you're moving to a workplace account with built-in Copilot access, or if you're no longer using the tool regularly enough to justify the cost. Cancelling within your current billing cycle prevents the next charge from processing.

Your consumer rights in australia

Australian Consumer Law protects you when cancelling subscriptions and seeking refunds. Understanding these rights empowers you to resolve disputes quickly.

What the australian consumer law says

The Australian Consumer Law, enforced by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), requires that digital services be supplied with due care and skill, and that you receive clear information about cancellation terms before purchasing. If GitHub Copilot does not match what was promised, or if you're charged for a service you cancelled, you have the right to a refund or remedy.

When you cancel, GitHub should stop charging you immediately or at the end of your current billing cycle, depending on their policy. If you've been charged after cancellation, you have strong grounds to request a refund under Australian Consumer Law.

Your cancellation and refund rights

You have the right to cancel your GitHub Copilot subscription at any time. If you cancel mid-cycle, GitHub may apply a prorated refund for the unused portion of your billing period, though this depends on their terms and the specific circumstances. If you're charged in error or after you've cancelled, you should contact GitHub's support team immediately to dispute the charge.

The ACCC website (accc.gov.au) provides detailed guidance on digital subscription cancellations and refund disputes. If GitHub does not respond to your refund request within a reasonable timeframe, you can lodge a complaint with the ACCC or contact your state's consumer affairs office.

How to cancel your GitHub copilot subscription

The cancellation process differs depending on whether you're an individual user or part of an organisation. Stopee recommends documenting each step with screenshots to confirm your cancellation was processed.

Cancelling as an individual user

Individual GitHub accounts manage Copilot subscriptions through the account settings page. Follow these steps to cancel immediately and securely.

1. Sign in to your GitHub account at github.com using your email and password.
2. Click your profile photo in the top right corner and select Settings.
3. In the left sidebar, locate and click Billing and licensing (or Plans and usage, depending on your GitHub version).
   • If you don't see this option, scroll down the Settings menu to find it.
4. Find the GitHub Copilot section on the page.
5. Click Cancel subscription or Manage, then select the cancellation option.
   • Pro tip: GitHub may offer a brief survey asking why you're cancelling. This feedback helps improve the product, but you can skip it.
6. Confirm the cancellation when prompted. GitHub will display a confirmation message on screen.
7. Check your email for a cancellation confirmation from GitHub within a few minutes.
   • Warning: If you don't receive an email confirmation within 1 hour, refresh your billing page to verify the cancellation was processed.

Your access to GitHub Copilot will stop immediately or at the end of your current billing cycle, depending on when you cancel. If you cancel on the day your next charge is due, you may still be charged; to avoid this, cancel at least 24 hours before your renewal date.

Cancelling for organisations

If you manage a GitHub organisation with multiple Copilot seats, you'll disable Copilot access through the organisation's billing settings rather than your personal account.

1. Sign in to GitHub as an organisation owner or person with billing permissions.
2. Navigate to the organisation page by clicking your profile photo, then selecting Your organisations.
3. Click the organisation name to open its settings.
4. In the left sidebar, click Billing and licensing.
5. Locate the Copilot section and click Manage or Manage Copilot seats.
6. Remove all assigned Copilot seats by deselecting team members or clicking Remove access next to each user.
   • Disabling all seats effectively cancels your organisation's Copilot subscription.
7. Confirm the changes. GitHub will show a summary of removed seats and the date access expires.
8. Verify the cancellation by refreshing the page and confirming that no seats are assigned.

Organisation cancellations are immediate; all team members will lose Copilot access once you remove their seats. Notify your team before disabling Copilot to prevent confusion or lost productivity.

Refunds and billing after cancellation

GitHub's refund policy determines whether you receive money back when you cancel mid-cycle. Stopee encourages you to understand these rules before cancelling so you know what to expect.

Will you receive a refund?

GitHub offers prorated refunds in specific situations. If your personal Copilot plan is automatically cancelled because you've been assigned a business or enterprise seat through your employer, GitHub will refund the unused portion of your current billing cycle. If you manually cancel your subscription, GitHub's policy on refunds is less transparent; many users report that refunds are handled on a discretionary basis by support staff.

To maximise your chances of receiving a refund for an early cancellation, contact GitHub support immediately after cancelling and explain your situation. Provide timestamps of your cancellation request and any evidence of miscommunication or unexpected charges. Stopee recommends requesting a refund within 7 days of your cancellation.

When you'll stop being charged

If you cancel before your next billing date, GitHub will not charge you again. Your access may continue until the end of your current billing cycle, but no new charge will appear on your card. If you cancel after a charge has already been processed, contact GitHub to dispute the charge and request a refund.

Pro tip: Check your billing settings 48 hours before your renewal date to confirm your cancellation went through. If the subscription still shows as active, contact support immediately to prevent an unwanted charge.

If you're charged after cancelling

If GitHub charges you after you've cancelled, this is a breach of your consumer rights under Australian law. Immediately gather evidence: take screenshots of your cancellation confirmation, your billing page showing the cancellation, and your bank statement showing the unexpected charge. Contact GitHub support with these documents and request a refund. Most charges are reversed within 3 to 5 business days if the error is clear.

If GitHub refuses to refund you or does not respond within 14 days, lodge a dispute with your bank or credit card provider. They have the authority to reverse charges and investigate billing fraud. You can also report the issue to the ACCC at accc.gov.au if you believe GitHub has engaged in unfair contract terms or misleading billing practices.

Common mistakes when cancelling

Cancelling should be straightforward, but many users stumble at small details that result in unwanted charges or lost refunds. Stopee wants you to avoid these pitfalls.

Mistakes that cost you money

One frequent error is confusing the cancellation of a trial with the cancellation of a paid subscription. If you're on a free trial and do nothing before the trial ends, GitHub will automatically charge you for a paid plan on day 31. To prevent this, cancel your trial at least 2 days before expiry; don't wait until the last day.

Another costly mistake is cancelling but failing to verify the cancellation was processed. Some users report that their cancellation page reload showed the subscription as still active, leading to unexpected charges. Always take a screenshot of your cancellation confirmation and check your email for a receipt from GitHub within 1 hour of cancelling.

A third error is cancelling on the exact day your next billing cycle begins. If your renewal date is tomorrow and you cancel today, GitHub may have already processed or scheduled your next charge. To be safe, cancel at least 2 business days before your renewal date to ensure the charge does not go through.

Errors in the cancellation process

Some users accidentally click Manage instead of Cancel subscription, thinking they're cancelling but actually opening a settings panel. Read every button label carefully before clicking. If you see options like "Change plan," "Pause," or "Downgrade," you have not yet started the cancellation process.

Another trap is not confirming the final cancellation prompt. GitHub will ask you to confirm your cancellation after you click the cancel button. If you close that dialog without confirming, your subscription remains active. Always complete the confirmation step and wait for the success message.

What happens after you cancel

Cancellation is just the beginning of the process. Understanding what changes after you hit the cancel button helps you avoid confusion and ensures your account transitions smoothly.

Access after cancellation

Your GitHub Copilot access will stop on your cancellation date or at the end of your current billing cycle, whichever applies to your situation. After that date, Copilot suggestions will no longer appear in your code editor, and you'll no longer be able to submit requests to Copilot.

If you have a GitHub Free plan, you can still use GitHub without Copilot. Your code repositories, pull requests, and collaboration features remain unchanged; only the AI coding assistance is disabled. If you later decide you want Copilot again, you can resubscribe at any time and your account will be restored.

Your billing page after cancellation

Once cancelled, your Billing and licensing page will no longer show GitHub Copilot under active subscriptions. You may see a message like "No active subscription" or "Manage Copilot" where the cancel button used to be. This confirms your subscription has been removed. Keep this page bookmarked so you can check it monthly to confirm you're not being charged.

Pro tip: Set a reminder on your phone to check your billing page once a month for the next 3 months after cancelling. This catches billing errors early if they occur.

Reactivating copilot later

If you change your mind and want to reactivate GitHub Copilot, return to your Billing and licensing page and click Enable Copilot or Subscribe to Copilot. You'll be charged immediately if you reactivate mid-cycle. Your previous settings and preferences may be restored, but you'll start a fresh billing cycle from the reactivation date.

Checklist for cancelling GitHub copilot

Use this checklist to ensure you've completed every step and won't face billing issues or forgotten cancellations.

Comparing GitHub copilot to similar tools

If you're cancelling because Copilot doesn't meet your needs, you may want to explore alternative AI coding assistants. Stopee suggests comparing features and pricing before switching to ensure the new tool is a better fit.

Each tool has different strengths. Before cancelling, test a free alternative to confirm it suits your workflow better than GitHub Copilot. Stopee recommends trialling alternatives for at least 2 weeks before making a final decision.

Contact information and next steps

If you encounter issues during cancellation or need to escalate a billing dispute, here's how to reach the right support teams.

GitHub support channels

For cancellation-related questions, visit GitHub's support portal at support.github.com. Select "Billing and payments" from the help categories and describe your issue. Response times vary from a few hours to 2 business days. For urgent billing errors, request expedited support when opening your ticket.

You can also reach GitHub support directly through your account by clicking "Contact support" on the Billing and licensing page. This method attaches your account details automatically, speeding up resolution.

Australian consumer protection agencies

If GitHub does not resolve a billing dispute within 14 days, contact the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) at accc.gov.au or call 1300 302 502. You can also lodge a complaint with your state or territory consumer affairs office, which is often faster for local resolution.

Provide the ACCC with copies of your cancellation confirmation, billing screenshots, and any correspondence with GitHub support. Document every interaction with timestamps.

Bank or payment provider

If you've been charged after cancelling and GitHub has not responded, contact your bank or credit card provider immediately. Request a dispute or chargeback for the unauthorised charge. Most financial institutions reverse disputed charges within 5 to 10 business days if the evidence is clear.

Final takeaway

Cancelling GitHub Copilot takes just a few minutes if you follow the steps above and verify your cancellation was processed. Remember to check your billing page 48 hours later and keep your cancellation confirmation email as proof of the action you took. If you're charged after cancellation, use your documentation to dispute the charge with your bank or the ACCC. Stopee has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions and recover refunds, and you can too. Take control of your billing today, document every step, and don't accept unexpected charges. Your money and peace of mind are worth the effort.