Introduction agent industry breaches and penalties

Introduction or dating agents must obey a range of laws and regulations, including:

This page provides information about the penalties that apply for breaching laws that relate to the introduction agencies.

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These penalties relate to your conduct as an introduction agent.

Offence Maximum penalty
Employing someone who is under 18 $32,260
Having clients who are under 18 $32,260
Not conspicuously displaying your licence where you do business $32,260
Not displaying your licence on all communications with actual or potential clients $32,260
Not following the law about restrictions on payments $32,260
Failure to give a full refund as required $32,260
Making false representations (this also applies to your employees and any associated people) $87,102

Inspectors have the legal authority to make sure you don't break the law. You must follow their lawful directions or risk a fine. Read about inspections of introduction agents.

These offences relate to non-compliance with inspectors.

Offence Maximum penalty
Obstructing an inspector or someone helping an inspector in the exercise of powers $32,260 or 1 year imprisonment
Failure to comply with an inspector's information request $32,260 or 1 year imprisonment
Failure to comply with an inspector's request for personal details $8,065
Failure to comply with an inspector's request to produce a document $32,260
Knowingly giving an inspector false or misleading information or a document containing false or misleading information $32,260 or 2 years imprisonment

Unlicensed or disqualified work as an introduction agent is against the law.

We will cancel your licence if you're convicted of a disqualifying offence.

These penalties relate to unlicensed or disqualified work.

Offence Maximum penalty
Working as an introduction agent while unlicenced or disqualified $32,260
Failing to return your licence to the Office of Fair Trading within 14 days after being convicted of a disqualifying offence and having your licence cancelled  $3,226