Every iPad has Applecare (with the exception of free phone support) until at least April whether the extended warranty was purchased or not.
If the case is bent inward - probably not much Apple is going to do.
If the case is bent outward - could be a defective battery.
Although, in the location you're talking about, that is the only area where there is basically nothing inside the case.
Can only "assume" from your comment you've already visited Apple?
If not, take it in to them to have a look. Worst they can do is say no.
And with Apple, you just never know.
If they say they'll cover it, they will replace the iPad, not just the casing.
Don't even suggest to them it is some fault of the protective case. Sorry, but that is laughable. If you don't know what caused it, just tell them you don't know. They really don't care if you've kept it in 10 protective cases. Don't tell them it's never been dropped either - so you were running through the house and bumped into the kitchen counter on your way out the door and didn't notice it until some time later??? You let someone else use it while you went to the bathroom and they dropped it, saw no damage and said nothing??? Who knows? Everyone says they didn't drop it. The dent, warp, or whatever it is will tell it's own story.
Can't really help on finding a 3rd party repair center down under aside from suggesting google, the same as I'd have to do.
