Terms and Conditions

By signing the Parent Information Form you agree to the Following Terms and Conditions:-

1. Service Agreement

By engaging the services of Babysitters on the Coast ("the Agency"), clients agree to abide by all Terms & Conditions outlined below.

2. Bookings & Confirmation

• Bookings require a minimum of 24hrs notice to allow time for staff allocation.
• Current and new clients will receive a text message one day prior to the booking.

A booking is only confirmed once Babysitters on the Coast sends written confirmation via text or email. Verbal enquiries, social media messages do not secure a booking.

Important:
“Definite,” rostered, or planned dates still require written confirmation.

Babysitters on the Coast is not responsible for holding unconfirmed bookings under any circumstances.

2.2 Booking Forms

New clients must complete a full Babysitting Information Form before their first session.  Regular clients must complete an updated form if: 

• Additional children are added, 
• Contact or personal details change, 
• Medical, behavioural or routine information changes, 
• The Agency requests an updated form for safety compliance. 

All Babysitting Information Forms (new or updated) must be submitted at least 48 hours before the booking.

• Bookings will not be held for new clients until all required forms and any applicable payment have been received.
• Failure to complete required forms may result in cancellation, and any booking fee already paid may be forfeited. 

2.3 Charges

2.3A Booking Fee (New & Non-Regular Clients)

A $25 booking fee per babysitter, per booking applies to all new and non-regular clients.

This fee:

• Must be paid at the time of booking.
• Secures the babysitter for the session.
• May be transferred in accordance with Clause 2.3B below

Note: The booking fee is seperate from the session fee. For regular clients (see Clause 2.4) may have this fee waived at the Agency's discretion.

2.3B Booking Fee Transfers & Rescheduling

A booking fee may be transferred to a new booking date once only if:

• At least 24 hours' notice of cancellation is provided; and
• A new booking date is selected and confirmed at the time of cancellation.

If the rescheduled booking is subsequently cancelled, no further transfer, credit, or refund will be available and the booking fee will be forfeited.

Cancellations made with less than 24 hours' notice will result in the booking fee being forfeited.

Approval of any transfer remains at the Agency's discretion.

Rebookings requested by text message are considered confirmed and locked in once the babysitter has confirmed availability and confirmed the booking with the client by text message

2.3C Session Fee 

Note: The session fee is the charge for the booked babysitting hours and is separate from the booking fee. It must be paid in full on or before the booking date. If cancellation notice is received less than 24 hours before the booking start time, the full session fee remains payable in accordance to Clause 3

2.4 Regular Clients

A regular client is defined as:

• A family who has booked and completed at least one session within the past 2 consecutive months, and
• Books a minimum of 3 hours per session. 

Regular-client status and booking-fee waivers are granted at the Agency’s discretion.

2.5 Advanced Bookings for Regular Clients

For pre-booked or recurring dates:

• A confirmation text will be sent one week prior. 
• Clients must confirm within 24 hours. 
• If no reply is received, the booking is automatically released and made available to other families.

2.6 Session Timing

• Bookings are charged based on the reserved time. 
• Returning early does not reduce the session fee. 
• Additional time beyond the reserved period is charged and payable on the night.

2.7 Additional Booking Hours

 Clients may add additional hours using the Add-On option when selecting their service. 

 3. Cancellation Policy

• Cancellations or changes to the booking made with less than 24 hours' notice do not remove the client's obligation to pay the full session fee. The booking fee is forfeited, and any unpaid amount remains due by either the payment due day stated on the Invoice. Overdue amounts may be managed under clause 11.2. 
• Where at least 24 hours' notice is provided, clients may request to transfer their booking fee or deposit accordance with Clause 2.3B.
• Booking fees are not refundable unless the Agency cancels the booking. 

4. Babysitter Assignments

The Agency will make reasonable efforts to allocate a suitable babysitter based on experience, availability and client needs. Specific babysitter requests cannot be guaranteed. 

5. Babysitter Conduct

Babysitters must uphold professional standards including:

• Punctuality. 
• Reliability. 
• Appropriate conduct.
• Maintaining a safe, positive environment. 

Clients must report concerns to the Proprietor in writing.

6. Child Safety and Security

Babysitters are required to:

• Follow safety protocols. 
• Adhere to household rules. 
• Maintain appropriate supervision. 
• Be provided with relevant child information (allergies, medical needs, routines). 

Clients must provide accurate, up-to-date information.

7. Liability

The Agency will take reasonable steps to provide suitable babysitting services. To the extent permitted by law, the Agency is not responsible for loss or damage arising from:

• inaccurate or incomplete information provided by the client;
• unsafe or unsuitable conditions at the client's premises;
• the client's failure to provide required equipment, instructions or information; or
• events outside the Agency's reasonable control.

This clause does not limit any rights or responsibilities that cannot legally be excluded.

8. Client & Babysitters Responsibilities

 8.1  Clients must provide:

• Meals and snacks. 
• Sunscreen, hats, water bottles. 
• Swimwear/towels (if applicable). 
• Properly fitted car seats. 
• Accurate child information. 
• A safe and reasonably hazard-free environment suitable for children.

Babysitters are not responsible for supplying food or equipment unless agreed in advance.

8.2 Transportation

Babysitters may only transport children if:

• The vehicle is insured, registered and agency approved. 
• Babysitter holds a valid licence. 
• The client or babysitter must provide an age-appropriate, legally compliant child restraint. The babysitter will check that the restraint is correctly installed before transporting the child. 
• A per-kilometre fee applies to agreed transportation.

8.3 Sun Safety

To ensure children are protected during outdoor activities, the following sun-safe requirements apply:

• Clients must provide appropriate sun protection, including sunscreen (SPF suitable for the child), hats, and sun-protective clothing. 
• Clients must supply water bottles to ensure children stay hydrated during outdoor play. 
• Babysitters will apply sunscreen and implement sun-safe practices according to the client’s instructions and the child’s needs. 
• If adequate sun-protection items are not provided, outdoor activities may be limited or avoided for the child’s safety.

8.4 Water Play & Swimming Supervision

For water play (swimming pools, beaches, water parks):

• Clients must inform babysitters of the child’s swimming ability and any safety concerns.
• Clients must provide necessary equipment (swimwear, towels, flotation devices). 
• Babysitters must maintain constant visual supervision and be prepared to intervene at any time. 
• Clients should clearly state all water safety rules before the session or outing. 

The Agency prioritises safety and expects clients to disclose all relevant information to protect the child.

8.5 Cameras & Home Surveillance Policy

To ensure a safe,transparent and respectful environment for both babysitters and children, clients must comply with the following:

• All cameras and surveillance devices must be disclosed to the Agency prior to the commencement of a booking. This includes indoor cameras, outdoor cameras, security systems, baby monitors, doorbell cameras, and any device capable of video or audio recording.
• Cameras must not be located in private areas where a babysitter or child may reasonably expect privacy, including:
  • Bedrooms 
  • Bathrooms 
  • Nappy-changing areas 
  • Any private changing areas 

To protect the child’s dignity and comply with Australian privacy and child-safety laws, children must never be recorded while partially undressed or during nappy changes. 

• Hidden or undisclosed cameras are strictly prohibited.
• Audio recording must not be used to record a babysitter's private conversations without the required consent.
• Babysitters reserve the right to decline or discontinue a session if undisclosed cameras are present or if surveillance is used in a way that breaches privacy or creates discomfort.
• If a session is discontinued for privacy or surveillance concerns, no refund will be issued for the booking.

8.5A Photos

• Where a client or parent/legal guardian requests or consents to photos, the babysitter may take photos of the child during the session for the agreed purpose, including providing reassuring updates to the parent.
• Photos of children may only be sent to the parent or authorised legal guardian for the agreed purpose. They must not be posted online, used for advertising, or shared with any third party without seperate permission.
• Children must not be photographed whilst undressed or during nappy changes and bathing/showering.

 9. Confidentiality

•  The "Agency" respects the privacy of all families. The agency and babysitters may share relevant client information with each other were reasonably necessary to arrange or provide safe and appropriate babysitting services.
• Babysitters otherwise are required to maintain confidentiality regarding personal, sensitive, or private information obtained during their duties.
• Information may be shared with the client's permission, where required by law, or where necessary to protect a child's safety. General or de-identified information may be shared where no individual can reasonably be identified.

10. Feedback and Complaints: The Agency welcomes feedback from clients regarding our services. Any complaints or concerns should be addressed promptly to the Proprietor at info@babysittersonthecoast.com.au

10.1. Testimonials & Reviews

The Agency may request client feedback or display publicly available reviews or posts made by clients about the Agency, including Google Reviews or social media posts. Where a client has publicly posted a review, testimonial or social media post about the Agency under their own name, The Agency may display or repost that content, including the clients name as shown in the original post. The Agency will not add or disclose identifying information about a child without a separate consent. Clients may request that publicly shared content be removed at any time.

11. Payment & Outstanding Balances

Note: The Agency does not hold customer accounts

11.1 Payment

• Full payment is required before or at the commencement of the booking unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Agency. In these circumstances, an invoice may be issued and paymnet is due immediately upon receipt of the invoice. All invoices are issued and managed through Square, our secure invoicing platform, which provides invoice delivery and status tracking to assist us in managing invoices, outstanding balances and payment follow-up. 
• Additional hours, travel charges and any approved extras are payable immediately upon completion of the booking. 
• The Agency reserves the right to charge any payment method used previously by the client for outstanding amounts in accordance with these Terms and Conditions. 

11.2 Overdue Accounts
If an invoice remains unpaid after the due date, the Agency reserves the right to:

• issue payment reminders through the Square platform, post, email, SMS or telephone. 
• suspend or decline any future bookings until all outstanding amounts have been paid in full.
• refer the outstanding debt to a debt-collection agency.
• make an application to QCAT or another appropriate court or tribunal.
• report suspected fraud or other unlawful conduct to the Queensland Police Service or another relevant authority.
• the Agency may seek full recovery of reasonable costs incurred in recovering overdue amounts, including debt-collection fees, legal costs and tribunal or court filing fees, to the extent permitted by law or awarded by the relevant tribunal or court.
• Interest on overdue amounts: If an amount remains unpaid after the final payment day, the Agency may charge simple interest at 8.35% per annum, calculated daily on the outstanding balance from the day after the due date until payment is received. Interest will not be compounded and will only be charged to the extent permitted by law.

11.3 Client Responsibility
The client agrees to pay all fees owing under this agreement together with any recoverable costs permitted by law that are reasonably incurred in recovering an overdue debt.

11.4 Default
Failure to pay an invoice by the due date constitutes a breach of these Terms and Conditions.

12.  Safety, Environment & Behaviour Policy

Babysitters on the Coast is committed to providing safe, appropriate care at all times.
For this reason:

Babysitters may refuse or discontinue a session if:

• The environment is unsafe or unsanitary 
• A child’s behaviour poses a serious safety risk 
• Unauthorised or unknown adults enter the home and create a safety concern.
• A parent/guardian appears intoxicated or unable to safely care for the child

No refunds apply where a session is discontinued because of unsafe conditions or conduct attributable to the client or household, no refund is payable.

12.1 Parent Handover and Safety

If a parent or authorised guardian appears intoxicated or unable to safely care for the child at the end of a session, the babysitter will not hand the child over if doing so may place the child at risk. The babysitter will contact the Agency and attempt to contact another authorised person listed by the client. If no safe arrangment can be made, or the child is in immediate danger, emergency services will be contacted on 000. Child Safety may also be contacted where there is a concern that the child is at risk of harm.

13. Illness & Health Policy

To protect all children and babysitters:

• Children who are unwell, contagious, feverish, vomiting, or displaying symptoms of illness may not be cared for by our babysitters. If a child becomes ill during the session, the babysitter will contact the parent or guardian and request that they return immediately..
• Babysitters on the Coast reserves the right to cancel or refuse a booking if a child is sick at the commencement of or during a session.
• Parents must disclose any medical conditions, recent illnesses, medications, or health concerns prior to the booking. 
• Babysitters may contact emergency services if the child’s health declines and the parent/guardian cannot be reached.
   

No refunds will be issued for bookings cancelled due to illness if adequate notice is not provided.