Manage Solidworks

How to cancel your SolidWorks subscription in australia

Understanding SolidWorks and why you might cancel

SolidWorks is a professional 3D CAD platform used by engineers, designers and product teams to create and collaborate on complex models. The service operates through multiple delivery models: cloud-connected 3DEXPERIENCE named-user subscriptions, traditional desktop-installed licences with annual subscription services, and reseller-managed annual plans priced in Australian dollars. If you're considering cancellation, you're not alone-many Australian users find the investment no longer aligns with their project needs, budget constraints or team structure.

The good news: cancelling SolidWorks is achievable when you know the process, your rights and the specific timeframes that apply. At Stopee, we've helped thousands of consumers navigate subscription cancellations like this one, and we know the common obstacles you'll face. This guide walks you through every step, from checking your agreement to submitting your cancellation and pursuing refunds under Australian Consumer Law.

Why australians typically cancel

You might be cancelling because a project has ended, your team has downsized, or you've found a more cost-effective design tool. Others cancel after discovering the automatic renewal charged before they had a chance to stop it. Whatever your reason, understanding your cancellation window and refund eligibility is the first step toward a smooth exit.

The annual cost and renewal cycle

SolidWorks subscriptions in Australia typically renew on an annual or quarterly billing cycle. A single-user 3DEXPERIENCE Standard subscription can cost around A$5,424 per year through local resellers-a significant commitment. When automatic renewal triggers without clear warning, an unexpected charge can catch you off guard. Stopee's research shows that timely cancellation prevents unwanted renewals and protects your budget.

Your consumer rights under australian law

The australian consumer law and cooling-off periods

The Australian Consumer Law provides you with protection when purchasing subscriptions and digital services. If you bought SolidWorks directly from the vendor, you have a right to cancel within 14 days of purchase if the service hasn't been delivered or substantially performed. This cooling-off period gives you a genuine opportunity to assess whether the product meets your needs.

However, this right does not apply if you specifically requested early supply of the service before the 14 days elapsed. Most professional software vendors, including SolidWorks resellers, will make you acknowledge this request during checkout-which removes your cooling-off protection once you've accessed the licence.

Refund eligibility and what the law says

Under the Australian Consumer Law, goods and services must be of acceptable quality and fit for purpose. If SolidWorks fails to perform as described or advertised, you have grounds to demand a refund, regardless of any vendor refund policy. Stopee recommends documenting any failures or misrepresentations immediately-screenshots, error logs and communication records strengthen your case.

For cancellations outside the 14-day window or after you've accessed the service, refund eligibility depends on the vendor's stated policy and any reseller terms. SolidWorks publicly lists a 15-day money-back window for new purchases, but this is narrower than the legal cooling-off period and may not apply if purchased via a reseller under different contract terms.

Reseller purchases and contract complexity

If you bought your SolidWorks licence through a reseller rather than directly from Dassault Systèmes or the official 3DEXPERIENCE platform, your cancellation rights may be governed by the reseller's contract, not solely the vendor's policy. Reseller agreements often include minimum term clauses, automatic renewal language, or non-refundable renewal periods. Check your invoice and original purchase email to confirm whether you bought direct or through a reseller.

Checking your SolidWorks agreement before you cancel

Key contract clauses that affect cancellation

Before you submit a cancellation request, review your agreement for these critical terms. Each one changes what you can demand and when.

• Automatic renewal clause: Note the exact date renewal triggers, any notice period the vendor promises, and whether you can disable auto-renewal in advance.
• Refund window: Identify any explicit money-back period (SolidWorks states 15 days for qualifying new purchases) and whether it applies to your purchase type.
• Minimum term: Check whether you're locked into a minimum contract period-some reseller plans require 12 months with no mid-term exit.
• Proration policy: Confirm whether the vendor will refund unused subscription time on a pro-rata basis if you cancel mid-year.
• Licence type and delivery: Clarify whether you hold a named-user cloud subscription, an installed licence with subscription services, or a perpetual licence with optional support renewals.
• Reseller or direct: Your invoice should state whether Dassault Systèmes, an official reseller, or a third-party vendor issued the licence.

Where to find your agreement

Your original purchase confirmation email contains links to the terms. Search your email inbox for "SolidWorks", "3DEXPERIENCE", "Dassault" or the reseller name. Older agreements may be archived-check your email spam folder and archived mail. If you cannot locate the original terms, contact the vendor's support team and request a copy of your licence agreement and purchase contract. At Stopee, we advise keeping copies of all subscription agreements in one folder for fast reference when you need to cancel.

How to cancel your SolidWorks subscription

Cancellation via the 3DEXPERIENCE platform (online method)

The most direct route is cancelling through the online portal where you manage your account. This method works for cloud-connected 3DEXPERIENCE subscriptions and provides an instant record of your cancellation request.

1. Open your web browser and go to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform login page (typically at 3dexperience.dassault-systemes.com).
2. Sign in using your registered email address and password.
   • If you've forgotten your password, select "Forgot password" and follow the reset email sent to your inbox.
3. Navigate to My Account or the Dashboard section-usually accessible from a profile menu or account icon in the top-right corner.
4. Select Subscriptions or Licences from the left-hand menu.
5. Locate the SolidWorks subscription you wish to cancel and select Manage or Options.
6. Choose Stop Renewal, Cancel Subscription, or Do Not Renew-the exact label varies by account type.
   • Do not select "Pause" unless you intend to resume later; "Stop Renewal" or "Cancel" permanently ends the subscription.
7. Confirm your cancellation request and take a screenshot of the confirmation page showing the date and cancellation reference number.
8. Refresh your subscriptions page after 5 minutes to verify the cancellation status has updated to "Cancelled" or "Will not renew".

Pro tip: If you cancel before the renewal date, the system usually stops any pending charge and preserves your access until the current billing period ends. If renewal has already occurred, proceed to the refund section below.

Cancellation by contacting support (when online cancellation fails)

If you cannot locate cancellation controls online, your account may be managed by a reseller or held under a legacy licence agreement. In this case, contact SolidWorks support or your reseller directly to request manual cancellation.

1. Locate the support contact details on your original invoice or purchase confirmation email. Look for a reseller name, account manager email, or SolidWorks support phone number for Australia.
2. Compose an email to the support address with the subject line: "Cancellation request for SolidWorks subscription [your licence number]".
3. Include in your email:
   • Your full name and registered email address
   • Your SolidWorks licence number or 3DEXPERIENCE account ID
   • Current subscription plan (e.g., "3DEXPERIENCE Standard" or "SolidWorks Premium")
   • Requested cancellation date
   • A clear statement: "I request immediate cancellation and no further renewals of this subscription effective [date]"
4. Send the email and retain a copy in your records.
5. Allow 2 to 3 business days for a response. If you do not receive confirmation, send a follow-up email after 3 days.
6. Once you receive written confirmation of cancellation, verify your next billing statement does not include a charge for the cancelled subscription.

Warning: If you communicate by phone only, follow up immediately with a written email restating your cancellation request. A phone conversation alone may not create a documented record if the company later disputes your cancellation date or disputes a refund claim.

Cancellation via reseller or account manager

If your licence is managed by a value-added reseller (VAR) or an account manager, contact them directly rather than the vendor. Resellers often have faster access to your account and can issue credits directly.

1. Retrieve the reseller or account manager's contact details from your latest invoice or the email address that sends your renewal reminders.
2. Call or email with your cancellation request, including your licence number and renewal date.
3. Ask for written confirmation of the cancellation and any refund eligibility in writing.
4. Request that they confirm the cancellation to SolidWorks on your behalf and provide you with a reference number.
5. Monitor your email for a confirmation message from the reseller or vendor within 5 business days.

Timeline and what happens after you cancel

Immediate effects on your access

When you cancel before renewal, SolidWorks typically grants you access until the end of your current billing period. This "run-out period" allows you to save your work, export models, and transition to another tool without abrupt interruption. If you cancel after renewal has already charged, your access may end immediately or within 24 hours-check your cancellation confirmation for the specific cutoff time.

Preventing accidental access loss

Back up all your SolidWorks projects and data before the access end date arrives. Export models in neutral formats (STEP, IGES, or PDF) that other CAD tools can open. Stopee advises downloading any cloud-stored files or design revisions to a secure local drive or external storage device. After your subscription ends, you will not be able to log in or access files stored exclusively in the 3DEXPERIENCE cloud.

Timeline expectations for refunds

Refunds are processed on different timelines depending on your purchase channel and the reason for the refund:

• 14-day cooling-off refund: 5 to 10 business days after the vendor processes your request, typically back to your original payment method.
• Pro-rata refund for unused subscription time: 7 to 14 business days if the vendor has agreed to proration.
• Refund for defective service: 10 to 20 business days if you've invoked Australian Consumer Law protections and the vendor acknowledges the fault.
• Reseller refund: 5 to 15 business days after the reseller processes the request; some resellers issue store credit instead of refunds.

Track the refund by checking your bank statement and credit card statement after 10 business days. If the refund does not appear, contact the vendor's finance team with your cancellation reference number and payment method used.

Pursuing a refund for your cancelled SolidWorks subscription

Refund eligibility: when you can claim one

Your refund rights depend on the reason for cancellation and the vendor's stated policy. At Stopee, we've seen vendors deny refunds incorrectly-knowing your grounds strengthens your negotiating position.

How to request a refund

Submit your refund request in writing, even if you've already cancelled. A written record protects you if the vendor later disputes whether you asked for one.

1. Compose an email to the support or billing address with the subject: "Refund request for cancelled SolidWorks subscription [licence number]".
2. Include:
   • Cancellation reference number and date of cancellation
   • Original purchase date and invoice number
   • Amount charged (in AUD)
   • Reason for cancellation and refund claim (e.g., "Cancellation within 15-day money-back window")
   • Refund destination (credit card used, bank account, or store credit)
3. Attach a copy of your original invoice and the cancellation confirmation screenshot.
4. Send and keep a copy in your records.
5. Allow 5 to 7 business days for a response. Most vendors acknowledge refund requests within this window.

Pro tip: If the vendor's first response is a refusal, do not accept it as final. Move to the escalation steps below.

Escalating a denied refund

If the vendor refuses your refund claim outside the 14-day cooling-off window, you have escalation options under Australian Consumer Law.

1. Request a detailed explanation: Reply to the refusal email asking the vendor to cite the specific clause in their terms that denies your refund. Many vendors cite incorrect policies or overreach their own stated conditions.
2. Reference the Australian Consumer Law: In your follow-up, write: "Under the Australian Consumer Law, I am entitled to a refund if the service has not been provided with due care and skill, or is not fit for purpose. Please reconsider this claim in light of these statutory rights." Include your specific grounds (service failure, misrepresentation, or unmet specifications).
3. Contact the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC): If the vendor fails to respond within 10 business days of your escalation email, lodge a complaint at accc.gov.au. The ACCC investigates vendor misconduct and can issue compliance notices.
4. File a dispute with your bank or credit card provider: If you paid by credit card or debit card, contact your bank and file a chargeback dispute citing the vendor's refusal and your Consumer Law rights. Your bank has 6 years to investigate and recover funds if the vendor's conduct was improper.
5. Seek free advice from a consumer law centre: Your state's Consumer Law Centre (e.g., Consumer Affairs Victoria, Office of Fair Trading NSW) offers free guidance on escalating vendor disputes.

Stopee has documented cases where vendors reversed initial refusal decisions after consumers formally cited Australian Consumer Law. Persistence and written evidence are your strongest tools.

Common mistakes to avoid during cancellation

Cancelling a subscription should be straightforward, but vendors often rely on your uncertainty to delay or deny your request. You deserve clarity and fair treatment-here are the pitfalls that trap thousands of Australian consumers each year.

Cancellation delays and missed renewal charges

Many users assume cancelling online is instant, only to discover a renewal charge on their next bank statement. The delay between clicking "Stop Renewal" and the system updating can be 24 to 48 hours. If renewal occurs first, you've lost the opportunity to prevent that charge-though you can still demand a refund under the Australian Consumer Law or your vendor's money-back guarantee.

Mistake: Cancelling too close to the renewal date. Fix: Cancel at least 5 to 10 business days before renewal. Check your cancellation confirmation to confirm the status shows "Will not renew" or "Cancelled", not "Pending cancellation".

Ignoring reseller agreements and minimum terms

If you bought through a reseller under a value-added reseller agreement, that contract may lock you in for 12 months with no early exit clause. Attempting to cancel online through the 3DEXPERIENCE platform will fail because the reseller, not the vendor, controls your account. You'll waste time before realising you must contact the reseller instead.

Mistake: Assuming all SolidWorks accounts are managed identically. Fix: Check your invoice to confirm whether you bought direct or via reseller. If via reseller, contact them first and ask whether you're under a minimum term clause.

Failing to document your cancellation

Without written proof of your cancellation request, the vendor can claim you never asked to cancel if a renewal charge reappears. Screenshots fade, emails get lost, and memory is unreliable. Your only protection is a written record you control.

Mistake: Cancelling by phone and trusting the support agent's verbal promise. Fix: Always follow up phone cancellations with a written email restating the request, date and reference number. Save the confirmation screenshot to your computer with today's date as the filename.

Not checking your statement after cancellation

Even after cancellation confirmation arrives, always verify your next bank statement. Occasionally the vendor's system fails to halt a pending renewal charge, or a manual cancellation gets lost in their queue. Catching this within 30 days of the charge allows you to dispute it via your bank's chargeback process.

Mistake: Assuming no charge means the cancellation worked. Fix: Check your bank and credit card statements for 2 to 3 months after cancellation. If an unwanted charge appears, report it to your bank immediately with your cancellation confirmation as evidence.

Cancellation checklist for SolidWorks

Use this checklist to stay on track and avoid oversights that delay your cancellation or refund.

• Retrieve and review your original purchase invoice and contract terms.
• Confirm your purchase was direct (via vendor) or through a reseller.
• Note your licence number, subscription plan, and next renewal date.
• Calculate the time remaining in your subscription to assess refund eligibility.
• Log into the 3DEXPERIENCE platform and attempt online cancellation if you bought direct.
• Screenshot the cancellation confirmation page, including the date and reference number.
• Back up all SolidWorks files and export models in neutral formats before access ends.
• If online cancellation fails or you bought via reseller, send a written cancellation email to support or the reseller.
• Allow 5 to 7 business days for a written cancellation confirmation response.
• If eligibility exists, submit a written refund request with invoices and proof of cancellation.
• Check your bank statement and credit card statement for 2 to 3 months to verify no renewal charges appear.
• If a refund is denied, escalate by referencing the Australian Consumer Law and consider filing a complaint with the ACCC.

Comparing your options: keep or cancel SolidWorks

Before you commit to cancellation, consider whether downgrading or pausing might better serve your situation. Some vendors offer flexibility-SolidWorks may not, but the comparison clarifies your best path.

What to do after your SolidWorks cancellation

Post-cancellation access and data preservation

Cancellation is not complete until you've secured your files and confirmed no future charges will occur. Most users feel relief after submitting a cancellation request-but the real work is protecting your data and verifying the vendor has truly ended your subscription.

Export all your SolidWorks models immediately after cancelling. Use standard file formats (STEP, IGES, DWG, or PDF) that other CAD applications can open. Do not rely on cloud storage alone; download a local copy of every file to an external hard drive or secure cloud service you control (Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox). Once your subscription access expires, you will not be able to retrieve cloud-stored files through the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.

Monitoring for unwanted renewal charges

Check your bank and credit card statements every week for the first month after cancellation. Set a reminder on your phone for the day before your old renewal date to manually review your statements. If an unexpected charge appears within 30 days, contact your bank immediately and file a dispute citing your cancellation confirmation. Your bank can reverse the charge and investigate the vendor's conduct.

Documenting your cancellation for future reference

Create a folder on your computer or in a note-taking app (e.g., OneNote, Notion) with the following documents:

• Original invoice and purchase agreement
• Cancellation confirmation email and screenshot
• Any refund confirmation or refund tracking number
• Bank statements showing the refund or lack of renewal charge
• Exported SolidWorks files and file-conversion logs

Keep these records for at least 2 years. If a dispute arises later (e.g., the vendor attempts to collect an outstanding balance, or a renewal charge reappears), you'll have complete evidence to support your position and claim with your bank or the ACCC.

Key takeaways and your next steps

Cancelling your SolidWorks subscription is achievable, and your Australian Consumer Law rights protect you if the vendor behaves unfairly. The process hinges on three factors: understanding your contract (reseller vs. direct, renewal date, refund window), cancelling in writing well in advance, and verifying no unwanted charges follow. At Stopee, we've guided thousands of Australian consumers through subscription cancellations, and we know that clarity and persistence overcome vendor resistance.

Your immediate action: retrieve your SolidWorks invoice, confirm whether you bought direct or via reseller, and note your next renewal date. Then log into your 3DEXPERIENCE account (or contact your reseller) and initiate cancellation today. Follow up with a written email for documentation, and monitor your statements for 2 to 3 months.

If the vendor denies your refund claim, remember your rights under the Australian Consumer Law and escalate to the ACCC. Stopee has helped thousands of consumers cancel subscriptions successfully-you have leverage, you have legal protection, and you have a clear path forward. Take control of your software budget today.

Support and escalation contacts for australia

• Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC): accc.gov.au - lodges formal complaints and investigates vendor conduct.
• Your state consumer affairs office: Search "[Your state] Consumer Affairs" for free advice and dispute resolution.
• Your bank or credit card provider: Contact the disputes team to file a chargeback for unwanted renewal charges.
• SolidWorks support: support@solidworks.com or your reseller's account manager for direct cancellation assistance.

Stopee is your trusted guide for every subscription cancellation. Whether you're facing a difficult vendor, unsure of your rights, or simply need clarity on next steps, visit stopee.com for detailed, actionable advice tailored to your situation. We've helped thousands of Australian consumers cancel confidently-now it's your turn.