Terms and Conditions

1. Introduction

Welcome to AussieStart (the "Platform"). These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the Platform, including any content, functionality, and services offered through the Platform.

AussieStart is owned and operated by AussieStart Pty Ltd, an Australian company registered in Sydney, New South Wales, with ABN 12 345 678 901. no real adress - coming soon

By accessing or using our Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not access or use the Platform.

2. Definitions

Throughout these Terms, the following definitions apply:

• "AussieStart", "we", "us", or "our" refers to AussieStart Pty Ltd.
• "Platform" refers to the AussieStart website, mobile applications, and any other online services provided by AussieStart.
• "User", "you", or "your" refers to any person who accesses or uses the Platform.
• "Job Seeker" refers to users who use the Platform to search for and apply to jobs.
• "Employer" refers to users who use the Platform to post job listings and hire job seekers.
• "Accommodation Provider" refers to users who list accommodations on the Platform.
• "Content" refers to all information, text, graphics, photos, videos, or other materials uploaded, downloaded, or appearing on the Platform.

3. Account Registration and Security

3.1 Registration Requirements

To access certain features of the Platform, you must register for an account. When registering, you must provide accurate, current, and complete information. You agree to update your information to keep it accurate, current, and complete.

3.2 Identity Verification

As part of our commitment to creating a safe and trustworthy community, all users are required to verify their identity by uploading a government-issued ID (passport, driver's license, or national ID card). This information is securely stored and used only for verification purposes.

3.3 Account Security

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activities that occur under your account. You agree to:

• Create a strong password and keep it confidential
• Restrict access to your account
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your account
• Log out of your account at the end of each session

3.4 One Account Per Person

You may not create more than one personal account. If you choose to use different aspects of our Platform (e.g., as both a job seeker and an accommodation provider), you should use the same account with the appropriate role settings.

4. Services and Features

4.1 Platform Description

AussieStart is a platform designed to help backpackers and travelers in Australia find jobs, accommodation, and connect with other travelers. Our services include:

• Job listings and application tools
• Accommodation listings and booking services
• Community features for connecting with other travelers
• User profiles and verification services

4.2 Free vs. Premium Services

AussieStart offers both free and premium services:

• Free services include basic access to the Platform, ability to create a profile, access to a limited number of job listings, and basic search functionality.
• Premium services include unlimited job applications, priority listings, advanced search filters, premium support, and access to exclusive community features.

4.3 Service Limitations

While we strive to provide high-quality services, AussieStart does not guarantee:

• The accuracy or completeness of job or accommodation listings
• That you will receive job offers or accommodation bookings
• Continuous, uninterrupted, or secure access to our services
• That bugs or errors in the Platform will be corrected

5. Subscription and Payments

5.1 Subscription Plans

AussieStart offers the following subscription plans:

• Free Plan: Basic access with limited features
• Premium Plan: €9.99/month for full access to all features
• Business Plan: Custom pricing for employers and accommodation providers

5.2 Payment Terms

By subscribing to a Premium plan, you agree to the following payment terms:

• All payments are processed securely through our payment processor
• Subscription fees are charged at the beginning of each billing cycle
• Subscriptions automatically renew unless canceled before the renewal date
• Prices are quoted in Euro (€) and include applicable taxes
• We may change our subscription fees with 30 days' notice

5.3 Commission Structure

AussieStart charges a €1 commission per successful job placement or accommodation booking. This commission is payable when:

• A job seeker is hired through our Platform
• An accommodation booking is confirmed through our Platform

5.4 Refund Policy

Our refund policy is as follows:

• Premium subscriptions may be refunded within 7 days of purchase if no premium features have been used
• Commission fees are non-refundable once a job placement or accommodation booking has been confirmed
• Refund requests must be submitted in writing to our support team

5.5 Cancellation

You may cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings or by contacting our support team. Upon cancellation:

• You will continue to have access to premium features until the end of your current billing period
• No refund will be provided for the unused portion of your current billing period
• Your account will revert to the Free plan at the end of your billing period

6. User Conduct and Restrictions

6.1 General Conduct

When using the Platform, you agree to act responsibly and ethically. You agree not to:

• Violate any applicable laws or regulations
• Impersonate any person or entity
• Harass, abuse, or harm another person
• Collect or store personal data about other users without their consent
• Interfere with or disrupt the Platform or servers
• Upload or transmit viruses or other malicious code

6.2 Job Listings and Applications

For job-related activities, you agree not to:

• Post false, misleading, or deceptive job listings
• Post jobs that discriminate based on race, gender, age, disability, or other protected categories
• Apply for jobs with false credentials or information
• Use the Platform to engage in illegal work practices

6.3 Accommodation Listings and Bookings

For accommodation-related activities, you agree not to:

• List accommodations that you do not have the legal right to rent
• Misrepresent the condition, location, or features of an accommodation
• Engage in price gouging or discriminatory pricing practices
• Make bookings with no intention of staying at the accommodation

6.4 Community Interactions

When interacting with other users, you agree not to:

• Share offensive, inappropriate, or harmful content
• Engage in bullying, harassment, or intimidation
• Share personal contact details to bypass the Platform's messaging system
• Arrange payments outside the Platform to avoid commission fees

7. User Content

7.1 Content Ownership

You retain ownership of any content you submit, post, or display on the Platform, including profile information, job listings, accommodation listings, reviews, and messages. However, by posting content, you grant AussieStart a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, and distribute your content for the purpose of providing and promoting our services.

7.2 Content Responsibility

You are solely responsible for any content you post on the Platform. You represent and warrant that:

• You own or have the necessary rights to share the content
• The content does not infringe upon the rights of any third party
• The content complies with these Terms and all applicable laws

7.3 Content Monitoring

AussieStart reserves the right, but not the obligation, to monitor, edit, or remove content that we determine, in our sole discretion, to be unlawful, offensive, threatening, libelous, defamatory, pornographic, obscene, or otherwise objectionable or in violation of these Terms.

7.4 Reviews and Feedback

Users may have the ability to leave reviews or feedback about employers, job seekers, or accommodation providers. All reviews must be honest, factual, and relevant. AussieStart reserves the right to remove reviews that are fraudulent, abusive, or violate these Terms.

8. Intellectual Property Rights

8.1 AussieStart Intellectual Property

The AussieStart Platform, including its name, logo, trademarks, software, design, and content created by AussieStart, is protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. You may not use, reproduce, modify, or distribute our intellectual property without our express written permission.

8.2 Limited License

Subject to these Terms, we grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, and revocable license to access and use the Platform for its intended purposes. This license does not include the right to:

• Scrape, data mine, or extract data from the Platform
• Modify, reverse engineer, or create derivative works of the Platform
• Remove copyright, trademark, or other proprietary notices
• Frame or mirror any part of the Platform

8.3 Copyright Infringement

If you believe your copyrighted work has been used on the Platform in a way that constitutes copyright infringement, please contact our designated copyright agent at copyright@aussiestart.com with the following information:

• A description of the copyrighted work
• The location of the allegedly infringing material on our Platform
• Your contact information
• A statement that you have a good-faith belief that the use is not authorized
• A statement, under penalty of perjury, that the information provided is accurate and that you are the copyright owner or authorized to act on their behalf

9. Account Termination

9.1 Termination by Users

You may terminate your account at any time by following the instructions in your account settings or by contacting our support team. Upon termination:

• Your profile will be deactivated and removed from public view
• You will lose access to all services and features of the Platform
• Any pending job applications or accommodation bookings may be canceled
• Your subscription will be canceled as per Section 5.5

9.2 Termination by AussieStart

AussieStart reserves the right to suspend or terminate your account at any time for any reason, including, but not limited to:

• Violation of these Terms
• Engaging in fraudulent or illegal activities
• Providing false or misleading information
• Extended periods of inactivity
• Non-payment of fees

9.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination of your account, these Terms will no longer be in effect, except for the provisions that, by their nature, survive termination. We are not responsible for any loss or damage resulting from the termination of your account.

9.4 Data Retention

After account termination, we may retain certain information as required by law or for legitimate business purposes. We will retain and use your information as necessary to comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements.

10. Limitation of Liability

10.1 Disclaimer of Warranties

THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT ANY WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT.

10.2 Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, AUSSIESTART SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS OR REVENUES, WHETHER INCURRED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, OR ANY LOSS OF DATA, USE, GOODWILL, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES, RESULTING FROM:

• YOUR ACCESS TO OR USE OF OR INABILITY TO ACCESS OR USE THE PLATFORM
• ANY CONDUCT OR CONTENT OF ANY THIRD PARTY ON THE PLATFORM, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY DEFAMATORY, OFFENSIVE, OR ILLEGAL CONDUCT OF OTHER USERS OR THIRD PARTIES
• ANY CONTENT OBTAINED FROM THE PLATFORM
• UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS, USE, OR ALTERATION OF YOUR TRANSMISSIONS OR CONTENT

10.3 Maximum Liability

IN NO EVENT SHALL AUSSIESTART'S TOTAL LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ALL CLAIMS EXCEED THE AMOUNT PAID BY YOU TO AUSSIESTART, IF ANY, IN THE PAST SIX MONTHS.

10.4 Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless AussieStart, its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, and agents, from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable legal fees and costs, arising out of or in any way connected with your access to or use of the Platform, your violation of these Terms, or your violation of any third-party rights.

11. Disputes and Governing Law

11.1 Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of New South Wales, Australia, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

11.2 Dispute Resolution

Any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Platform shall be resolved as follows:

1. Informal Resolution: We encourage you to contact us first to seek an informal resolution.
2. Mediation: If the dispute cannot be resolved informally, the parties shall attempt to resolve the dispute through mediation in Sydney, Australia.
3. Legal Action: If mediation is unsuccessful, either party may bring legal action in the courts of New South Wales, Australia.

11.3 Time Limitation

You agree that any cause of action arising out of or related to the Platform must be commenced within one (1) year after the cause of action accrues. Otherwise, such cause of action is permanently barred.

12. Changes to Terms

AussieStart reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time. We will provide notice of significant changes in the following ways:

• Posting the updated Terms on the Platform
• Sending an email notification to registered users
• Providing a notification when you next log in to the Platform

Your continued use of the Platform after the changes take effect constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms. If you do not agree to the revised Terms, you must stop using the Platform and terminate your account.

13. Contact Information

If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us at:

• Email: legal@aussiestart.com
• Postal Address: AussieStart Pty Ltd, 123 Market Street, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia / no real adress - coming soon
• Phone: coming soon

For general inquiries or support, please contact:

• Email: support@aussiestart.com
• Phone: coming soon