[5][6] It is a multi-faceted business with a staff of 80, which includes the scientists and technicians who test the products, policy specialists who devise campaigns, lobby politicians and speak on issues, as well as the journalists who write for CHOICE magazine.

[1][7] CHOICE also campaigns on behalf of consumers and is a representative on many national and state-based government committees, councils and independent bodies related to consumer rights and issues including food regulation and labelling, health and financial services, telecommunications and digital technology, standards codes, ecologically sustainable development and the environment.

[10] Following World War II, the economy and population of Australia was booming, but it was becoming clear that consumers did not have much guidance or protection.

[3] Ruby Hutchison, the first woman to be elected to the Western Australian Legislative Council,[11] had been receiving complaints from her constituents about the quality and value for money of goods.

[12] She knew of overseas consumer organisations in the US and UK, so she found out how they worked with a goal of creating something similar in Australia.

[28] The organisation publishes several products including: CHOICE also holds the annual "Shonky Awards" that highlight dubious or dishonest behaviour from companies.

[9][2] "Shonky" is Australian slang meaning "unreliable, unsound, dishonest, poor or of dubious quality; shoddy".

Finalist Coles Complete Cuisine cat food was referred on for misleading labelling and contradictory claims in the small print.

Also, finalist Nature's Way (Pharmacare Laboratories) Kids Smart Vita Gummies was referred on for potentially misleading consumers about the supplement's health benefits for children and failing to list the amount of sugar contained in each serving.