{"id":"qld:act-2001-059","name":"Introduction Agents Act 2001","slug":"introduction-agents-act-2001","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"qld","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"59 of 2001","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":93282,"registerId":"qld-act-2001-059-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"pt.1","sectionType":"part","heading":"Preliminary","content":"# Preliminary","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"sec.1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Short title","content":"### sec.1 Short title\n\nThis Act may be cited as the Introduction Agents Act 2001 .","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"sec.2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Commencement","content":"### sec.2 Commencement\n\nThis Act commences on a day to be fixed by proclamation.","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"sec.3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Purpose","content":"### sec.3 Purpose\n\nThe purpose of this Act is to provide for fair trading within the introduction agency industry by—\nestablishing a licensing system for introduction agents; and\nestablishing methods for disqualifying unsuitable people from the industry; and\nsetting minimum standards for carrying on the business of an introduction agent; and\nimproving the provision of information to consumers about introduction services and the prices for services; and\nensuring representations about introduction services include accurate details of the services provided; and\npromoting sound business practices within the industry in order to protect consumers.\n- (a) establishing a licensing system for introduction agents; and\n- (b) establishing methods for disqualifying unsuitable people from the industry; and\n- (c) setting minimum standards for carrying on the business of an introduction agent; and\n- (d) improving the provision of information to consumers about introduction services and the prices for services; and\n- (e) ensuring representations about introduction services include accurate details of the services provided; and\n- (f) promoting sound business practices within the industry in order to protect consumers.","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"sec.4","sectionType":"section","heading":"This Act’s interaction with other laws","content":"### sec.4 This Act’s interaction with other laws\n\nThis Act does not limit any other law.\nThe Criminal Code , sections 12 to 14 include some of the provisions that apply the criminal law of Queensland to particular acts or omissions occurring outside Queensland.\ns 4 amd 2010 No. 54 s 67 sch","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"sec.4A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Relationship with Fair Trading Inspectors Act 2014","content":"### sec.4A Relationship with Fair Trading Inspectors Act 2014\n\nThe Fair Trading Inspectors Act 2014 (the FTI Act ) enacts common provisions for this Act and particular other Acts about fair trading.\nUnless this Act otherwise provides in relation to the FTI Act , the powers that an inspector has under that Act are in addition to and do not limit any powers the inspector may have under this Act.\nIn this section—\ninspector means a person who holds office under the FTI Act as an inspector for this Act.\ns 4A ins 2014 No. 8 s 121\n(sec.4A-ssec.1) The Fair Trading Inspectors Act 2014 (the FTI Act ) enacts common provisions for this Act and particular other Acts about fair trading.\n(sec.4A-ssec.2) Unless this Act otherwise provides in relation to the FTI Act , the powers that an inspector has under that Act are in addition to and do not limit any powers the inspector may have under this Act.\n(sec.4A-ssec.3) In this section— inspector means a person who holds office under the FTI Act as an inspector for this Act.","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"pt.2","sectionType":"part","heading":"Interpretation","content":"# Interpretation","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"pt.2-div.1","sectionType":"division","heading":"Definitions","content":"## Definitions","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"sec.5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Definitions","content":"### sec.5 Definitions\n\nThe dictionary in schedule 2 defines particular words used in this Act.","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"sec.6","sectionType":"section","heading":"Notes in text","content":"### sec.6 Notes in text\n\ns 6 om 2014 No. 8 s 123","sortOrder":9},{"sectionNumber":"pt.2-div.2","sectionType":"division","heading":"Associated persons","content":"## Associated persons","sortOrder":10},{"sectionNumber":"sec.7","sectionType":"section","heading":"Meaning of associated person and effective control","content":"### sec.7 Meaning of associated person and effective control\n\nAn associated person of an applicant for a licence or a licensee is a person who is not an applicant for a licence or a licensee but nevertheless is, or would be if the licence were granted, in effective control of the applicant’s or licensee’s business.\nA person who is in effective control of a business includes a person who—\nis regularly or usually in charge of the business; or\nregularly directs staff of the business in their duties; or\nis in a position to control or influence substantially the business.\nIf an applicant for a licence or a licensee is a corporation, an executive officer of the corporation is taken to be an associated person of the applicant or licensee.\n(sec.7-ssec.1) An associated person of an applicant for a licence or a licensee is a person who is not an applicant for a licence or a licensee but nevertheless is, or would be if the licence were granted, in effective control of the applicant’s or licensee’s business.\n(sec.7-ssec.2) A person who is in effective control of a business includes a person who— is regularly or usually in charge of the business; or regularly directs staff of the business in their duties; or is in a position to control or influence substantially the business.\n(sec.7-ssec.3) If an applicant for a licence or a licensee is a corporation, an executive officer of the corporation is taken to be an associated person of the applicant or licensee.\n- (a) is regularly or usually in charge of the business; or\n- (b) regularly directs staff of the business in their duties; or\n- (c) is in a position to control or influence substantially the business.","sortOrder":11},{"sectionNumber":"pt.2-div.3","sectionType":"division","heading":"Introduction agent, business, service or agreement","content":"## Introduction agent, business, service or agreement","sortOrder":12},{"sectionNumber":"sec.8","sectionType":"section","heading":"Meaning of introduction agent and carry on the business of an introduction agent","content":"### sec.8 Meaning of introduction agent and carry on the business of an introduction agent\n\nAn introduction agent is a person who—\ncarries on a business of providing, or offering to provide, an introduction service; or\nholds himself, herself or itself out in any way as carrying on the business of an introduction agent; or\nis entitled to share in the income of the business of an introduction agent.\nSubsection (1) applies—\nwhether the head office or principal place of business of the person is in Queensland or elsewhere; or\neven if the person does not have an established place of business in Queensland.\nA person mentioned in subsection (1) (a) , (b) or (c) is taken to carry on the business of an introduction agent .\nDespite subsections (1) (c) and (3) , a person is not an introduction agent, and is not to be taken to carry on the business of an introduction agent, only because the person is entitled to share, as a shareholder, in the income of the business of an introduction agent that is a corporation.\n(sec.8-ssec.1) An introduction agent is a person who— carries on a business of providing, or offering to provide, an introduction service; or holds himself, herself or itself out in any way as carrying on the business of an introduction agent; or is entitled to share in the income of the business of an introduction agent.\n(sec.8-ssec.2) Subsection (1) applies— whether the head office or principal place of business of the person is in Queensland or elsewhere; or even if the person does not have an established place of business in Queensland.\n(sec.8-ssec.3) A person mentioned in subsection (1) (a) , (b) or (c) is taken to carry on the business of an introduction agent .\n(sec.8-ssec.4) Despite subsections (1) (c) and (3) , a person is not an introduction agent, and is not to be taken to carry on the business of an introduction agent, only because the person is entitled to share, as a shareholder, in the income of the business of an introduction agent that is a corporation.\n- (a) carries on a business of providing, or offering to provide, an introduction service; or\n- (b) holds himself, herself or itself out in any way as carrying on the business of an introduction agent; or\n- (c) is entitled to share in the income of the business of an introduction agent.\n- (a) whether the head office or principal place of business of the person is in Queensland or elsewhere; or\n- (b) even if the person does not have an established place of business in Queensland.","sortOrder":13},{"sectionNumber":"sec.9","sectionType":"section","heading":"Meaning of introduction service","content":"### sec.9 Meaning of introduction service\n\nAn introduction service is a service the purpose of which is to introduce a person to 1 or more other persons who might be interested in having a personal relationship, or in attending a social outing, with the person, by—\ngiving a name or other identifying details of the other person to the person; or\ngiving a document containing names or other identifying details of the other person to the person; or\narranging for the person to attend a meeting with the other person.\nFor subsection (1) , it does not matter whether—\nthe intended introduction is direct or indirect; or\nthe personal relationship is intended to be for a long or short time.\n(sec.9-ssec.1) An introduction service is a service the purpose of which is to introduce a person to 1 or more other persons who might be interested in having a personal relationship, or in attending a social outing, with the person, by— giving a name or other identifying details of the other person to the person; or giving a document containing names or other identifying details of the other person to the person; or arranging for the person to attend a meeting with the other person.\n(sec.9-ssec.2) For subsection (1) , it does not matter whether— the intended introduction is direct or indirect; or the personal relationship is intended to be for a long or short time.\n- (a) giving a name or other identifying details of the other person to the person; or\n- (b) giving a document containing names or other identifying details of the other person to the person; or\n- (c) arranging for the person to attend a meeting with the other person.\n- (a) the intended introduction is direct or indirect; or\n- (b) the personal relationship is intended to be for a long or short time.","sortOrder":14},{"sectionNumber":"sec.10","sectionType":"section","heading":"Meaning of introduction agreement","content":"### sec.10 Meaning of introduction agreement\n\nAn agreement is an introduction agreement if it is an agreement to provide an introduction service or part of an introduction service to a person (the client ) and—\nthe introduction service or part of the introduction service is provided, or proposed to be provided, to the client in Queensland; or\nthe agreement is executed in Queensland by or for a party to the agreement; or\nthe client ordinarily resides in Queensland.\n- (a) the introduction service or part of the introduction service is provided, or proposed to be provided, to the client in Queensland; or\n- (b) the agreement is executed in Queensland by or for a party to the agreement; or\n- (c) the client ordinarily resides in Queensland.","sortOrder":15},{"sectionNumber":"pt.2-div.4","sectionType":"division","heading":"Persons who are not introduction agents","content":"## Persons who are not introduction agents","sortOrder":16},{"sectionNumber":"sec.11","sectionType":"section","heading":"Persons carrying out activities with a community purpose","content":"### sec.11 Persons carrying out activities with a community purpose\n\nA person is not an introduction agent only because the person carries on an activity that has some of the features of an introduction service if—\nthe activity is carried out for a community purpose; and\nany net proceeds from the activity are solely applied, or are to be solely applied, to furthering the community purpose.\nIn this section—\ncommunity purpose means—\na philanthropic or benevolent purpose, including the promotion of art, culture, science, religion, education, medicine or charity; or\na sporting or recreational purpose, including the benefiting of any sporting or recreational club or association.\n(sec.11-ssec.1) A person is not an introduction agent only because the person carries on an activity that has some of the features of an introduction service if— the activity is carried out for a community purpose; and any net proceeds from the activity are solely applied, or are to be solely applied, to furthering the community purpose.\n(sec.11-ssec.2) In this section— community purpose means— a philanthropic or benevolent purpose, including the promotion of art, culture, science, religion, education, medicine or charity; or a sporting or recreational purpose, including the benefiting of any sporting or recreational club or association.\n- (a) the activity is carried out for a community purpose; and\n- (b) any net proceeds from the activity are solely applied, or are to be solely applied, to furthering the community purpose.\n- (a) a philanthropic or benevolent purpose, including the promotion of art, culture, science, religion, education, medicine or charity; or\n- (b) a sporting or recreational purpose, including the benefiting of any sporting or recreational club or association.","sortOrder":17},{"sectionNumber":"sec.12","sectionType":"section","heading":"Persons carrying out non-profit activities","content":"### sec.12 Persons carrying out non-profit activities\n\nA person is not an introduction agent only because the person carries on an activity that has some of the features of an introduction service if the activity—\ndoes not have a significant commercial purpose or character; and\ndoes not primarily seek to make a profit for the person or any other person.\n- (a) does not have a significant commercial purpose or character; and\n- (b) does not primarily seek to make a profit for the person or any other person.","sortOrder":18},{"sectionNumber":"sec.13","sectionType":"section","heading":"Publishers of advertisements","content":"### sec.13 Publishers of advertisements\n\nA person is not an introduction agent only because the person—\npublishes, or makes available, details of persons who might be interested in having a personal relationship, or in attending a social outing, with 1 or more other persons—\nin a newspaper, magazine or similar publication that is readily available to members of the public; or\nin a television, radio or similar broadcast that is readily accessible to members of the public who have the necessary equipment to access the broadcast; and\nprovides a way of enabling persons seeing or hearing the details to make contact with the persons supplying the details.\nSubsection (1) applies even if—\na member of the public must pay to obtain the publication or broadcast; and\na person using the way mentioned in subsection (1) (b) must pay a fee of not more than the amount prescribed under a regulation or, if no amount is prescribed, of not more than $100 for using the way.\n(sec.13-ssec.1) A person is not an introduction agent only because the person— publishes, or makes available, details of persons who might be interested in having a personal relationship, or in attending a social outing, with 1 or more other persons— in a newspaper, magazine or similar publication that is readily available to members of the public; or in a television, radio or similar broadcast that is readily accessible to members of the public who have the necessary equipment to access the broadcast; and provides a way of enabling persons seeing or hearing the details to make contact with the persons supplying the details.\n(sec.13-ssec.2) Subsection (1) applies even if— a member of the public must pay to obtain the publication or broadcast; and a person using the way mentioned in subsection (1) (b) must pay a fee of not more than the amount prescribed under a regulation or, if no amount is prescribed, of not more than $100 for using the way.\n- (a) publishes, or makes available, details of persons who might be interested in having a personal relationship, or in attending a social outing, with 1 or more other persons— (i) in a newspaper, magazine or similar publication that is readily available to members of the public; or (ii) in a television, radio or similar broadcast that is readily accessible to members of the public who have the necessary equipment to access the broadcast; and\n- (i) in a newspaper, magazine or similar publication that is readily available to members of the public; or\n- (ii) in a television, radio or similar broadcast that is readily accessible to members of the public who have the necessary equipment to access the broadcast; and\n- (b) provides a way of enabling persons seeing or hearing the details to make contact with the persons supplying the details.\n- (i) in a newspaper, magazine or similar publication that is readily available to members of the public; or\n- (ii) in a television, radio or similar broadcast that is readily accessible to members of the public who have the necessary equipment to access the broadcast; and\n- (a) a member of the public must pay to obtain the publication or broadcast; and\n- (b) a person using the way mentioned in subsection (1) (b) must pay a fee of not more than the amount prescribed under a regulation or, if no amount is prescribed, of not more than $100 for using the way.","sortOrder":19},{"sectionNumber":"sec.14","sectionType":"section","heading":"Information providers","content":"### sec.14 Information providers\n\nA person is not an introduction agent only because the person ( information provider ) operates an information service if—\na person can obtain details of persons who might be interested in having a personal relationship, or in attending a social outing, with 1 or more other persons from the information service without the need to speak to, or to otherwise communicate personally and directly with, the information provider or an employee of the information provider; and\na person who gives information to the information provider or an employee of the information provider for the purpose of having the information given to other persons is not, by giving the information, placed under an obligation—\nto use the service again; or\nto pay a fee of more than the amount prescribed under a regulation or, if no amount is prescribed, of more than $100; and\na person to whom the information is given by the information provider is not, by using the information service, placed under an obligation—\nto use the service again; or\nto pay a fee of more than the amount prescribed under a regulation or, if no amount is prescribed, of more than $100.\nSubsection (1) (b) (ii) and (c)(ii) does not apply if the fees for giving information to, or obtaining information from, an information service are based on the length of time a person has electronic or mechanical access to the information service and the length of the time is automatically recorded by electronic or mechanical means.\nIn this section—\ninformation service means a service under which details of persons interested in having a personal relationship, or in attending a social outing, with 1 or more other persons are provided.\n(sec.14-ssec.1) A person is not an introduction agent only because the person ( information provider ) operates an information service if— a person can obtain details of persons who might be interested in having a personal relationship, or in attending a social outing, with 1 or more other persons from the information service without the need to speak to, or to otherwise communicate personally and directly with, the information provider or an employee of the information provider; and a person who gives information to the information provider or an employee of the information provider for the purpose of having the information given to other persons is not, by giving the information, placed under an obligation— to use the service again; or to pay a fee of more than the amount prescribed under a regulation or, if no amount is prescribed, of more than $100; and a person to whom the information is given by the information provider is not, by using the information service, placed under an obligation— to use the service again; or to pay a fee of more than the amount prescribed under a regulation or, if no amount is prescribed, of more than $100.\n(sec.14-ssec.2) Subsection (1) (b) (ii) and (c)(ii) does not apply if the fees for giving information to, or obtaining information from, an information service are based on the length of time a person has electronic or mechanical access to the information service and the length of the time is automatically recorded by electronic or mechanical means.\n(sec.14-ssec.3) In this section— information service means a service under which details of persons interested in having a personal relationship, or in attending a social outing, with 1 or more other persons are provided.\n- (a) a person can obtain details of persons who might be interested in having a personal relationship, or in attending a social outing, with 1 or more other persons from the information service without the need to speak to, or to otherwise communicate personally and directly with, the information provider or an employee of the information provider; and\n- (b) a person who gives information to the information provider or an employee of the information provider for the purpose of having the information given to other persons is not, by giving the information, placed under an obligation— (i) to use the service again; or (ii) to pay a fee of more than the amount prescribed under a regulation or, if no amount is prescribed, of more than $100; and\n- (i) to use the service again; or\n- (ii) to pay a fee of more than the amount prescribed under a regulation or, if no amount is prescribed, of more than $100; and\n- (c) a person to whom the information is given by the information provider is not, by using the information service, placed under an obligation— (i) to use the service again; or (ii) to pay a fee of more than the amount prescribed under a regulation or, if no amount is prescribed, of more than $100.\n- (i) to use the service again; or\n- (ii) to pay a fee of more than the amount prescribed under a regulation or, if no amount is prescribed, of more than $100.\n- (i) to use the service again; or\n- (ii) to pay a fee of more than the amount prescribed under a regulation or, if no amount is prescribed, of more than $100; and\n- (i) to use the service again; or\n- (ii) to pay a fee of more than the amount prescribed under a regulation or, if no amount is prescribed, of more than $100.","sortOrder":20},{"sectionNumber":"sec.15","sectionType":"section","heading":"Organisers of social activities","content":"### sec.15 Organisers of social activities\n\nA person is not an introduction agent only because the person organises a social activity with the intention of enabling persons to meet if—\nthe activity is publicly advertised and is open to any member of the public who is willing to pay the admission cost for the activity (even if a person can be refused admission because there is a limit on the number of persons who can attend the activity); and\nthe admission cost is the only cost a person attending the activity is liable to pay the organiser of the activity, other than the cost of food or drink; and\na person attending the activity is not placed under an obligation to the organiser of the activity because the person is allowed to attend the activity, other than an obligation concerning the person’s conduct at the activity itself.\n- (a) the activity is publicly advertised and is open to any member of the public who is willing to pay the admission cost for the activity (even if a person can be refused admission because there is a limit on the number of persons who can attend the activity); and\n- (b) the admission cost is the only cost a person attending the activity is liable to pay the organiser of the activity, other than the cost of food or drink; and\n- (c) a person attending the activity is not placed under an obligation to the organiser of the activity because the person is allowed to attend the activity, other than an obligation concerning the person’s conduct at the activity itself.","sortOrder":21},{"sectionNumber":"sec.16","sectionType":"section","heading":"Persons providing neighbourhood information and welcome services","content":"### sec.16 Persons providing neighbourhood information and welcome services\n\nA person is not an introduction agent only because the person provides a service that arranges for a person to meet with another person if the primary purpose of the meeting is for the other person to provide the person with information about local entertainment, sporting, recreational, cultural or business activities.","sortOrder":22},{"sectionNumber":"sec.17","sectionType":"section","heading":"Providers of sex work","content":"### sec.17 Providers of sex work\n\nA person is not an introduction agent only because the person provides an introduction service for the purposes of, or facilitating the provision of, sex work.\ns 17 amd 2024 No. 23 s 36 sch 1","sortOrder":23},{"sectionNumber":"pt.3","sectionType":"part","heading":"Licences","content":"# Licences","sortOrder":24},{"sectionNumber":"pt.3-div.1","sectionType":"division","heading":"Applications for licence","content":"## Applications for licence","sortOrder":25},{"sectionNumber":"sec.18","sectionType":"section","heading":"Requirement to be licensed","content":"### sec.18 Requirement to be licensed\n\nA person must not carry on the business of an introduction agent unless the person holds a licence.\nMaximum penalty—200 penalty units.","sortOrder":26},{"sectionNumber":"sec.19","sectionType":"section","heading":"Application for licence","content":"### sec.19 Application for licence\n\nAn individual, a group of individuals or a corporation may apply to the chief executive for a licence.\nThe application must—\nbe in the approved form; and\nstate the names, business addresses and residential addresses of all associated persons of the applicant; and\nbe accompanied by—\nthe application fee prescribed under a regulation; and\nif, before or when the application is made, the chief executive requires the payment of costs under section 23A (1) —the amount of the costs required to be paid.\nThe applicant must state in the application whether the application is for a licence for a term of 1, 2 or 3 years.\nThe chief executive, by notice, may ask the applicant to give further information or documents relevant to the application.\nThe chief executive may reject the application if the applicant fails to comply with the request without reasonable excuse.\nA requirement mentioned in subsection (2) (c) (ii) is sufficiently made of the applicant if it is made generally of applicants in the approved form or notified on the department’s web site.\ns 19 amd 2003 No. 19 s 3 sch ; 2003 No. 94 s 43 ; 2008 No. 69 s 25\n(sec.19-ssec.1) An individual, a group of individuals or a corporation may apply to the chief executive for a licence.\n(sec.19-ssec.2) The application must— be in the approved form; and state the names, business addresses and residential addresses of all associated persons of the applicant; and be accompanied by— the application fee prescribed under a regulation; and if, before or when the application is made, the chief executive requires the payment of costs under section 23A (1) —the amount of the costs required to be paid.\n(sec.19-ssec.3) The applicant must state in the application whether the application is for a licence for a term of 1, 2 or 3 years.\n(sec.19-ssec.4) The chief executive, by notice, may ask the applicant to give further information or documents relevant to the application.\n(sec.19-ssec.5) The chief executive may reject the application if the applicant fails to comply with the request without reasonable excuse.\n(sec.19-ssec.6) A requirement mentioned in subsection (2) (c) (ii) is sufficiently made of the applicant if it is made generally of applicants in the approved form or notified on the department’s web site.\n- (a) be in the approved form; and\n- (b) state the names, business addresses and residential addresses of all associated persons of the applicant; and\n- (c) be accompanied by— (i) the application fee prescribed under a regulation; and (ii) if, before or when the application is made, the chief executive requires the payment of costs under section 23A (1) —the amount of the costs required to be paid.\n- (i) the application fee prescribed under a regulation; and\n- (ii) if, before or when the application is made, the chief executive requires the payment of costs under section 23A (1) —the amount of the costs required to be paid.\n- (i) the application fee prescribed under a regulation; and\n- (ii) if, before or when the application is made, the chief executive requires the payment of costs under section 23A (1) —the amount of the costs required to be paid.","sortOrder":27},{"sectionNumber":"sec.20","sectionType":"section","heading":"Entitlement to licence","content":"### sec.20 Entitlement to licence\n\nThe chief executive may grant a licence to an applicant only if the chief executive is satisfied that the applicant is a suitable person to hold the licence.\nIn deciding whether the applicant is a suitable person to hold a licence, the chief executive must consider whether the applicant or an associated person of the applicant has within the last 5 years—\nbeen convicted of an offence against this Act, the Fair Trading Act 1989 , including the Australian Consumer Law (Queensland) forming part of that Act, or a corresponding law; or\nbreached an undertaking given under this Act to the chief executive; or\nbreached an undertaking given under the Fair Trading Act 1989 to the commissioner for fair trading appointed under that Act, including an undertaking given under the Australian Consumer Law (Queensland) to that commissioner as a regulator under that law.\ns 20 amd 2010 No. 54 s 67 sch\n(sec.20-ssec.1) The chief executive may grant a licence to an applicant only if the chief executive is satisfied that the applicant is a suitable person to hold the licence.\n(sec.20-ssec.2) In deciding whether the applicant is a suitable person to hold a licence, the chief executive must consider whether the applicant or an associated person of the applicant has within the last 5 years— been convicted of an offence against this Act, the Fair Trading Act 1989 , including the Australian Consumer Law (Queensland) forming part of that Act, or a corresponding law; or breached an undertaking given under this Act to the chief executive; or breached an undertaking given under the Fair Trading Act 1989 to the commissioner for fair trading appointed under that Act, including an undertaking given under the Australian Consumer Law (Queensland) to that commissioner as a regulator under that law.\n- (a) been convicted of an offence against this Act, the Fair Trading Act 1989 , including the Australian Consumer Law (Queensland) forming part of that Act, or a corresponding law; or\n- (b) breached an undertaking given under this Act to the chief executive; or\n- (c) breached an undertaking given under the Fair Trading Act 1989 to the commissioner for fair trading appointed under that Act, including an undertaking given under the Australian Consumer Law (Queensland) to that commissioner as a regulator under that law.","sortOrder":28},{"sectionNumber":"sec.21","sectionType":"section","heading":"Disqualifying criteria—individuals","content":"### sec.21 Disqualifying criteria—individuals\n\nAn individual is not a suitable person to hold a licence if the person or an associated person of the person—\nis under 18 years; or\nis an insolvent under administration; or\nhas been convicted of a disqualifying offence within the last 5 years; or\nhas been ordered by a court not to be in any way involved in the operation of the business of an introduction agent (whether under this Act or another law) and the order is still current.\ns 21 amd 2024 No. 23 s 36 sch 1\n- (a) is under 18 years; or\n- (b) is an insolvent under administration; or\n- (c) has been convicted of a disqualifying offence within the last 5 years; or\n- (d) has been ordered by a court not to be in any way involved in the operation of the business of an introduction agent (whether under this Act or another law) and the order is still current.","sortOrder":29},{"sectionNumber":"sec.22","sectionType":"section","heading":"Disqualifying criteria—corporations","content":"### sec.22 Disqualifying criteria—corporations\n\nA corporation is not a suitable person to hold a licence if—\nit is a Chapter 5 body corporate under the Corporations Act ; or\nit has been ordered by a court not to be in any way involved in the operation of the business of an introduction agent (whether under this Act or another law) and the order is still current; or\nit has been convicted of a disqualifying offence within the last 5 years; or\nan associated person of the corporation—\nis under 18 years; or\nis an insolvent under administration; or\nhas been convicted of a disqualifying offence within the last 5 years; or\nhas been ordered by a court not to be in any way involved in the operation of the business of an introduction agent (whether under this Act or another law) and the order is still current.\ns 22 amd 2003 No. 94 s 44 ; 2020 No. 15 s 83 ; 2024 No. 23 s 36 sch 1\n- (a) it is a Chapter 5 body corporate under the Corporations Act ; or\n- (b) it has been ordered by a court not to be in any way involved in the operation of the business of an introduction agent (whether under this Act or another law) and the order is still current; or\n- (c) it has been convicted of a disqualifying offence within the last 5 years; or\n- (d) an associated person of the corporation— (i) is under 18 years; or (ii) is an insolvent under administration; or (iii) has been convicted of a disqualifying offence within the last 5 years; or (iv) has been ordered by a court not to be in any way involved in the operation of the business of an introduction agent (whether under this Act or another law) and the order is still current.\n- (i) is under 18 years; or\n- (ii) is an insolvent under administration; or\n- (iii) has been convicted of a disqualifying offence within the last 5 years; or\n- (iv) has been ordered by a court not to be in any way involved in the operation of the business of an introduction agent (whether under this Act or another law) and the order is still current.\n- (i) is under 18 years; or\n- (ii) is an insolvent under administration; or\n- (iii) has been convicted of a disqualifying offence within the last 5 years; or\n- (iv) has been ordered by a court not to be in any way involved in the operation of the business of an introduction agent (whether under this Act or another law) and the order is still current.","sortOrder":30},{"sectionNumber":"sec.23","sectionType":"section","heading":"Inquiries about applicant’s suitability to hold licence","content":"### sec.23 Inquiries about applicant’s suitability to hold licence\n\nThe chief executive may inquire about an applicant or an associated person of the applicant to help in deciding whether the applicant—\nis a suitable person for the grant of a licence; or\ncontinues to be a suitable person.\nIf asked by the chief executive, the commissioner must give the chief executive a report about the criminal history of the applicant or a named associated person of the applicant.\nSubsection (2) applies to the criminal history—\nthat is in the commissioner’s possession; or\nto which the commissioner ordinarily has access through arrangements with the police service of the Commonwealth or another State.\nIf the criminal history of the applicant or the named associated person includes a conviction recorded against the applicant or the named associated person, the commissioner’s report must be written.\nInformation required to be supplied under this section may be used only to decide whether the applicant is a suitable person for this section or to investigate or prosecute an offence.\ns 23 amd 2008 No. 69 s 26\n(sec.23-ssec.1) The chief executive may inquire about an applicant or an associated person of the applicant to help in deciding whether the applicant— is a suitable person for the grant of a licence; or continues to be a suitable person.\n(sec.23-ssec.2) If asked by the chief executive, the commissioner must give the chief executive a report about the criminal history of the applicant or a named associated person of the applicant.\n(sec.23-ssec.3) Subsection (2) applies to the criminal history— that is in the commissioner’s possession; or to which the commissioner ordinarily has access through arrangements with the police service of the Commonwealth or another State.\n(sec.23-ssec.4) If the criminal history of the applicant or the named associated person includes a conviction recorded against the applicant or the named associated person, the commissioner’s report must be written.\n(sec.23-ssec.5) Information required to be supplied under this section may be used only to decide whether the applicant is a suitable person for this section or to investigate or prosecute an offence.\n- (a) is a suitable person for the grant of a licence; or\n- (b) continues to be a suitable person.\n- (a) that is in the commissioner’s possession; or\n- (b) to which the commissioner ordinarily has access through arrangements with the police service of the Commonwealth or another State.","sortOrder":31},{"sectionNumber":"sec.23A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Costs of criminal history report","content":"### sec.23A Costs of criminal history report\n\nThe chief executive may require an applicant to pay the reasonable, but no more than actual, costs of obtaining a report under section 23 about the applicant or an associated person of the applicant.\nThe chief executive must refund to the applicant an amount paid under the requirement if—\nthe chief executive refuses the application without asking for the report; or\nthe applicant withdraws the application before the chief executive asks for the report.\nIn this section—\napplicant includes proposed applicant.\ns 23A ins 2008 No. 69 s 27\n(sec.23A-ssec.1) The chief executive may require an applicant to pay the reasonable, but no more than actual, costs of obtaining a report under section 23 about the applicant or an associated person of the applicant.\n(sec.23A-ssec.2) The chief executive must refund to the applicant an amount paid under the requirement if— the chief executive refuses the application without asking for the report; or the applicant withdraws the application before the chief executive asks for the report.\n(sec.23A-ssec.3) In this section— applicant includes proposed applicant.\n- (a) the chief executive refuses the application without asking for the report; or\n- (b) the applicant withdraws the application before the chief executive asks for the report.","sortOrder":32},{"sectionNumber":"sec.23B","sectionType":"section","heading":"Confidentiality of criminal history","content":"### sec.23B Confidentiality of criminal history\n\nA public service employee performing functions under this Act must not, directly or indirectly, disclose to anyone else a report about a person’s criminal history, or information contained in the report, given under section 23 .\nMaximum penalty—100 penalty units.\nHowever, the person does not contravene subsection (1) if—\ndisclosure of the report or information to someone else is authorised by the chief executive to the extent necessary to perform a function under or in relation to this Act; or\nthe disclosure is otherwise required or permitted by law.\nThe chief executive must destroy a written report about a person’s criminal history as soon as practicable after considering the person’s suitability to hold a licence.\ns 23B ins 2008 No. 69 s 27\n(sec.23B-ssec.1) A public service employee performing functions under this Act must not, directly or indirectly, disclose to anyone else a report about a person’s criminal history, or information contained in the report, given under section 23 . Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.\n(sec.23B-ssec.2) However, the person does not contravene subsection (1) if— disclosure of the report or information to someone else is authorised by the chief executive to the extent necessary to perform a function under or in relation to this Act; or the disclosure is otherwise required or permitted by law.\n(sec.23B-ssec.3) The chief executive must destroy a written report about a person’s criminal history as soon as practicable after considering the person’s suitability to hold a licence.\n- (a) disclosure of the report or information to someone else is authorised by the chief executive to the extent necessary to perform a function under or in relation to this Act; or\n- (b) the disclosure is otherwise required or permitted by law.","sortOrder":33},{"sectionNumber":"sec.24","sectionType":"section","heading":"Decision on application","content":"### sec.24 Decision on application\n\nThe chief executive must consider an application for a licence and—\ngrant the licence, with or without conditions; or\nrefuse to grant the licence.\nIf the chief executive decides to grant the licence, the chief executive must—\ngrant the licence for the term stated in the application for the licence; and\npromptly give the applicant the licence.\nIf the chief executive decides to refuse to grant the licence, the chief executive must promptly give the applicant a QCAT information notice for the decision.\ns 24 amd 2003 No. 94 s 45 ; 2009 No. 24 s 599\n(sec.24-ssec.1) The chief executive must consider an application for a licence and— grant the licence, with or without conditions; or refuse to grant the licence.\n(sec.24-ssec.2) If the chief executive decides to grant the licence, the chief executive must— grant the licence for the term stated in the application for the licence; and promptly give the applicant the licence.\n(sec.24-ssec.3) If the chief executive decides to refuse to grant the licence, the chief executive must promptly give the applicant a QCAT information notice for the decision.\n- (a) grant the licence, with or without conditions; or\n- (b) refuse to grant the licence.\n- (a) grant the licence for the term stated in the application for the licence; and\n- (b) promptly give the applicant the licence.","sortOrder":34},{"sectionNumber":"sec.25","sectionType":"section","heading":"Renewal of licence","content":"### sec.25 Renewal of licence\n\nA licensee may apply to the chief executive for renewal of the licensee’s licence within the period starting 1 month before the licence ends and ending 3 months after the licence ends.\nThe application must—\nbe in the approved form; and\nstate the names, business addresses and residential addresses of all associated persons of the licensee; and\nbe accompanied by—\nthe application fee prescribed under a regulation; and\nif, before or when the application is made, the chief executive requires the payment of costs under section 23A (1) —the amount of the costs required to be paid.\nThe licensee must state in the application whether the application for renewal of the licence is for a term of 1, 2 or 3 years.\nThe chief executive must renew the licence for the term stated in the application unless the chief executive refuses to renew it under section 27 .\nIf a licensee applies for renewal of the licensee’s licence—\nthe licence is taken to continue in force from the day it would, apart from this paragraph, have ended until the day—\nthe chief executive renews or refuses to renew the licence; or\nthe licensee withdraws the application for renewal; and\nif the chief executive renews the licence, the licence is taken to have been renewed from the day it would, apart from paragraph (a) , have ended.\nA requirement mentioned in subsection (2) (c) (ii) is sufficiently made of the applicant if it is made generally of applicants in the approved form or notified on the department’s web site.\ns 25 amd 2003 No. 19 s 3 sch ; 2003 No. 94 s 46 ; 2008 No. 69 s 28\n(sec.25-ssec.1) A licensee may apply to the chief executive for renewal of the licensee’s licence within the period starting 1 month before the licence ends and ending 3 months after the licence ends.\n(sec.25-ssec.2) The application must— be in the approved form; and state the names, business addresses and residential addresses of all associated persons of the licensee; and be accompanied by— the application fee prescribed under a regulation; and if, before or when the application is made, the chief executive requires the payment of costs under section 23A (1) —the amount of the costs required to be paid.\n(sec.25-ssec.3) The licensee must state in the application whether the application for renewal of the licence is for a term of 1, 2 or 3 years.\n(sec.25-ssec.4) The chief executive must renew the licence for the term stated in the application unless the chief executive refuses to renew it under section 27 .\n(sec.25-ssec.5) If a licensee applies for renewal of the licensee’s licence— the licence is taken to continue in force from the day it would, apart from this paragraph, have ended until the day— the chief executive renews or refuses to renew the licence; or the licensee withdraws the application for renewal; and if the chief executive renews the licence, the licence is taken to have been renewed from the day it would, apart from paragraph (a) , have ended.\n(sec.25-ssec.6) A requirement mentioned in subsection (2) (c) (ii) is sufficiently made of the applicant if it is made generally of applicants in the approved form or notified on the department’s web site.\n- (a) be in the approved form; and\n- (b) state the names, business addresses and residential addresses of all associated persons of the licensee; and\n- (c) be accompanied by— (i) the application fee prescribed under a regulation; and (ii) if, before or when the application is made, the chief executive requires the payment of costs under section 23A (1) —the amount of the costs required to be paid.\n- (i) the application fee prescribed under a regulation; and\n- (ii) if, before or when the application is made, the chief executive requires the payment of costs under section 23A (1) —the amount of the costs required to be paid.\n- (i) the application fee prescribed under a regulation; and\n- (ii) if, before or when the application is made, the chief executive requires the payment of costs under section 23A (1) —the amount of the costs required to be paid.\n- (a) the licence is taken to continue in force from the day it would, apart from this paragraph, have ended until the day— (i) the chief executive renews or refuses to renew the licence; or (ii) the licensee withdraws the application for renewal; and\n- (i) the chief executive renews or refuses to renew the licence; or\n- (ii) the licensee withdraws the application for renewal; and\n- (b) if the chief executive renews the licence, the licence is taken to have been renewed from the day it would, apart from paragraph (a) , have ended.\n- (i) the chief executive renews or refuses to renew the licence; or\n- (ii) the licensee withdraws the application for renewal; and","sortOrder":35},{"sectionNumber":"pt.3-div.2","sectionType":"division","heading":"Suspensions, cancellations, refusals to renew and imposing conditions on licences","content":"## Suspensions, cancellations, refusals to renew and imposing conditions on licences","sortOrder":36},{"sectionNumber":"sec.26","sectionType":"section","heading":"Grounds for suspending, cancelling, refusing to renew or imposing conditions on a licence","content":"### sec.26 Grounds for suspending, cancelling, refusing to renew or imposing conditions on a licence\n\nEach of the following is a ground for suspending, cancelling, refusing to renew or imposing a condition on a licence—\nthe licence, or a renewal of the licence, was obtained because of materially incorrect or misleading information;\nthe licensee has, for at least 1 month, stopped carrying on the business of an introduction agent;\nthe licensee has failed to comply with a condition of the licence;\nthe licensee or an associated person of the licensee has—\nbreached an undertaking given under this Act to the chief executive; or\nbreached an undertaking given under the Fair Trading Act 1989 to the commissioner for fair trading appointed under that Act, including an undertaking given under the Australian Consumer Law (Queensland) to that commissioner as a regulator under that law;\nthe licensee or an associated person of the licensee has within the last 5 years been convicted of an offence against this Act, the Fair Trading Act 1989 , including the Australian Consumer Law (Queensland) forming part of that Act, or a corresponding law;\nthe licensee is no longer a suitable person to hold a licence because of section 21 or 22 .\ns 26 amd 2008 No. 69 s 29 ; 2010 No. 54 s 67 sch\n- (a) the licence, or a renewal of the licence, was obtained because of materially incorrect or misleading information;\n- (b) the licensee has, for at least 1 month, stopped carrying on the business of an introduction agent;\n- (c) the licensee has failed to comply with a condition of the licence;\n- (d) the licensee or an associated person of the licensee has— (i) breached an undertaking given under this Act to the chief executive; or (ii) breached an undertaking given under the Fair Trading Act 1989 to the commissioner for fair trading appointed under that Act, including an undertaking given under the Australian Consumer Law (Queensland) to that commissioner as a regulator under that law;\n- (i) breached an undertaking given under this Act to the chief executive; or\n- (ii) breached an undertaking given under the Fair Trading Act 1989 to the commissioner for fair trading appointed under that Act, including an undertaking given under the Australian Consumer Law (Queensland) to that commissioner as a regulator under that law;\n- (e) the licensee or an associated person of the licensee has within the last 5 years been convicted of an offence against this Act, the Fair Trading Act 1989 , including the Australian Consumer Law (Queensland) forming part of that Act, or a corresponding law;\n- (f) the licensee is no longer a suitable person to hold a licence because of section 21 or 22 .\n- (i) breached an undertaking given under this Act to the chief executive; or\n- (ii) breached an undertaking given under the Fair Trading Act 1989 to the commissioner for fair trading appointed under that Act, including an undertaking given under the Australian Consumer Law (Queensland) to that commissioner as a regulator under that law;","sortOrder":37},{"sectionNumber":"sec.27","sectionType":"section","heading":"Procedure for suspending, cancelling, refusing to renew or imposing conditions on a licence","content":"### sec.27 Procedure for suspending, cancelling, refusing to renew or imposing conditions on a licence\n\nIf the chief executive considers reasonable grounds exist to suspend, cancel, refuse to renew or impose a condition on a licence (the action ), the chief executive must give the licensee a notice (the show cause notice ) that—\nstates the action proposed and—\nif the proposed action is to suspend the licence—states the proposed suspension period; and\nif the proposed action is to impose a condition on a licence—states the proposed condition; and\nstates the grounds for proposing to take the action; and\noutlines the facts and circumstances that form the basis for the chief executive’s belief; and\ninvites the licensee to make representations, within a stated time of not less than 28 days, why the action proposed should not be taken.\nIf, after considering all representations made within the stated time, the chief executive still believes grounds exist to take the action, the chief executive may—\nif the show cause notice stated the action proposed was to suspend the licence for a stated period—suspend the licence for a period not longer than the stated period; or\nif the show cause notice stated the action proposed was to cancel the licence—\ncancel the licence; or\nsuspend the licence for a period; or\nif the show cause notice stated the action proposed was not to renew the licence—\nrefuse to renew the licence; or\nrefuse to renew the license for a period; or\nif the show cause notice stated the action proposed was to impose a condition on a licence—impose the condition on the licence for a period.\nThe chief executive must give the licensee notice of the chief executive’s decision.\nIf the chief executive’s decision is to cancel, suspend, refuse to renew or impose a condition on the licence, the notice must be a QCAT information notice for the decision.\nThe decision takes effect on the later of the following—\nthe day on which the notice is given to the licensee;\nthe day stated in the notice.\ns 27 amd 2003 No. 94 s 47 ; 2009 No. 24 s 600\n(sec.27-ssec.1) If the chief executive considers reasonable grounds exist to suspend, cancel, refuse to renew or impose a condition on a licence (the action ), the chief executive must give the licensee a notice (the show cause notice ) that— states the action proposed and— if the proposed action is to suspend the licence—states the proposed suspension period; and if the proposed action is to impose a condition on a licence—states the proposed condition; and states the grounds for proposing to take the action; and outlines the facts and circumstances that form the basis for the chief executive’s belief; and invites the licensee to make representations, within a stated time of not less than 28 days, why the action proposed should not be taken.\n(sec.27-ssec.2) If, after considering all representations made within the stated time, the chief executive still believes grounds exist to take the action, the chief executive may— if the show cause notice stated the action proposed was to suspend the licence for a stated period—suspend the licence for a period not longer than the stated period; or if the show cause notice stated the action proposed was to cancel the licence— cancel the licence; or suspend the licence for a period; or if the show cause notice stated the action proposed was not to renew the licence— refuse to renew the licence; or refuse to renew the license for a period; or if the show cause notice stated the action proposed was to impose a condition on a licence—impose the condition on the licence for a period.\n(sec.27-ssec.3) The chief executive must give the licensee notice of the chief executive’s decision.\n(sec.27-ssec.4) If the chief executive’s decision is to cancel, suspend, refuse to renew or impose a condition on the licence, the notice must be a QCAT information notice for the decision.\n(sec.27-ssec.5) The decision takes effect on the later of the following— the day on which the notice is given to the licensee; the day stated in the notice.\n- (a) states the action proposed and— (i) if the proposed action is to suspend the licence—states the proposed suspension period; and (ii) if the proposed action is to impose a condition on a licence—states the proposed condition; and\n- (i) if the proposed action is to suspend the licence—states the proposed suspension period; and\n- (ii) if the proposed action is to impose a condition on a licence—states the proposed condition; and\n- (b) states the grounds for proposing to take the action; and\n- (c) outlines the facts and circumstances that form the basis for the chief executive’s belief; and\n- (d) invites the licensee to make representations, within a stated time of not less than 28 days, why the action proposed should not be taken.\n- (i) if the proposed action is to suspend the licence—states the proposed suspension period; and\n- (ii) if the proposed action is to impose a condition on a licence—states the proposed condition; and\n- (a) if the show cause notice stated the action proposed was to suspend the licence for a stated period—suspend the licence for a period not longer than the stated period; or\n- (b) if the show cause notice stated the action proposed was to cancel the licence— (i) cancel the licence; or (ii) suspend the licence for a period; or\n- (i) cancel the licence; or\n- (ii) suspend the licence for a period; or\n- (c) if the show cause notice stated the action proposed was not to renew the licence— (i) refuse to renew the licence; or (ii) refuse to renew the license for a period; or\n- (i) refuse to renew the licence; or\n- (ii) refuse to renew the license for a period; or\n- (d) if the show cause notice stated the action proposed was to impose a condition on a licence—impose the condition on the licence for a period.\n- (i) cancel the licence; or\n- (ii) suspend the licence for a period; or\n- (i) refuse to renew the licence; or\n- (ii) refuse to renew the license for a period; or\n- (a) the day on which the notice is given to the licensee;\n- (b) the day stated in the notice.","sortOrder":38},{"sectionNumber":"sec.28","sectionType":"section","heading":"Return of suspended or cancelled licence","content":"### sec.28 Return of suspended or cancelled licence\n\nIf the chief executive cancels or suspends a person’s licence, the chief executive may give the person a notice requiring the person to return the licence to the chief executive in the way stated in the notice within a stated period of not less than 14 days.\nThe person must comply with the notice, unless the person has a reasonable excuse.\nMaximum penalty—20 penalty units.\nIf a licence returned to the chief executive after suspension is still current at the end of the suspension period, the chief executive must return the licence to the licensee.\n(sec.28-ssec.1) If the chief executive cancels or suspends a person’s licence, the chief executive may give the person a notice requiring the person to return the licence to the chief executive in the way stated in the notice within a stated period of not less than 14 days.\n(sec.28-ssec.2) The person must comply with the notice, unless the person has a reasonable excuse. Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.\n(sec.28-ssec.3) If a licence returned to the chief executive after suspension is still current at the end of the suspension period, the chief executive must return the licence to the licensee.","sortOrder":39},{"sectionNumber":"pt.3-div.3","sectionType":"division","heading":"General provisions about licences","content":"## General provisions about licences","sortOrder":40},{"sectionNumber":"sec.29","sectionType":"section","heading":"Requirement to notify changes in information given","content":"### sec.29 Requirement to notify changes in information given\n\nThis section applies if a licensee becomes aware of a change in the information given at any time by the licensee for an application for a licence or a renewal of a licence.\nThe licensee must, within 30 days after becoming aware of the change, give details of the change to the chief executive by signed notice.\nMaximum penalty for subsection (2) —50 penalty units.\n(sec.29-ssec.1) This section applies if a licensee becomes aware of a change in the information given at any time by the licensee for an application for a licence or a renewal of a licence.\n(sec.29-ssec.2) The licensee must, within 30 days after becoming aware of the change, give details of the change to the chief executive by signed notice. Maximum penalty for subsection (2) —50 penalty units.","sortOrder":41},{"sectionNumber":"sec.30","sectionType":"section","heading":"Replacement licence","content":"### sec.30 Replacement licence\n\nA licensee may apply to the chief executive for the replacement of a lost, stolen or destroyed licence.\nThe application must be accompanied by the fee prescribed under a regulation.\nThe chief executive must consider each application and—\nreplace the licence; or\nrefuse to replace the licence.\nIf the chief executive is satisfied the licence has been lost, stolen or destroyed, the chief executive must replace the licence.\nIf the chief executive decides to refuse to replace the licence, the chief executive must give the applicant a QCAT information notice for the decision.\ns 30 amd 2003 No. 94 s 48 ; 2009 No. 24 s 601\n(sec.30-ssec.1) A licensee may apply to the chief executive for the replacement of a lost, stolen or destroyed licence.\n(sec.30-ssec.2) The application must be accompanied by the fee prescribed under a regulation.\n(sec.30-ssec.3) The chief executive must consider each application and— replace the licence; or refuse to replace the licence.\n(sec.30-ssec.4) If the chief executive is satisfied the licence has been lost, stolen or destroyed, the chief executive must replace the licence.\n(sec.30-ssec.5) If the chief executive decides to refuse to replace the licence, the chief executive must give the applicant a QCAT information notice for the decision.\n- (a) replace the licence; or\n- (b) refuse to replace the licence.","sortOrder":42},{"sectionNumber":"sec.31","sectionType":"section","heading":"Surrender of licence","content":"### sec.31 Surrender of licence\n\nA licensee may surrender the licensee’s licence by signed notice given to the chief executive.\nThe surrender of the licence takes effect on the day the notice of surrender is given to the chief executive or, if a later day of effect is stated in the notice, the later day.\nThe person to whom the licence was granted must return the licence to the chief executive within 14 days after the person surrenders the licence, unless the person has a reasonable excuse.\nMaximum penalty for subsection (3) —20 penalty units.\n(sec.31-ssec.1) A licensee may surrender the licensee’s licence by signed notice given to the chief executive.\n(sec.31-ssec.2) The surrender of the licence takes effect on the day the notice of surrender is given to the chief executive or, if a later day of effect is stated in the notice, the later day.\n(sec.31-ssec.3) The person to whom the licence was granted must return the licence to the chief executive within 14 days after the person surrenders the licence, unless the person has a reasonable excuse. Maximum penalty for subsection (3) —20 penalty units.","sortOrder":43},{"sectionNumber":"sec.32","sectionType":"section","heading":"Licence not transferable","content":"### sec.32 Licence not transferable\n\nA licence—\nis personal to the licensee; and\nis not transferable to another person; and\ndoes not vest by operation of law in another person.\n- (a) is personal to the licensee; and\n- (b) is not transferable to another person; and\n- (c) does not vest by operation of law in another person.","sortOrder":44},{"sectionNumber":"sec.32A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Display of licence","content":"### sec.32A Display of licence\n\nA licensee must conspicuously display the licensee’s licence, or a copy of the licence, at every place where the licensee deals with a person who is, or may become, a client of the licensee’s business as an introduction agent.\nMaximum penalty—200 penalty units.\nA licensee must conspicuously show the number of the licensee’s licence in all types of communications with a person who is, or may become, a client of the licensee’s business as an introduction agent.\nbrochure, internet, SMS\nMaximum penalty—200 penalty units.\ns 32A ins 2003 No. 94 s 49\n(sec.32A-ssec.1) A licensee must conspicuously display the licensee’s licence, or a copy of the licence, at every place where the licensee deals with a person who is, or may become, a client of the licensee’s business as an introduction agent. Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.\n(sec.32A-ssec.2) A licensee must conspicuously show the number of the licensee’s licence in all types of communications with a person who is, or may become, a client of the licensee’s business as an introduction agent. brochure, internet, SMS Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.","sortOrder":45},{"sectionNumber":"sec.33","sectionType":"section","heading":"Register of licences","content":"### sec.33 Register of licences\n\nThe chief executive must keep a register of licences.\nThe register must contain—\nthe addresses of the principal and other places where a licensee carries on the business of an introduction agent; and\nany other information prescribed under a regulation.\nThe register is to be kept in the form and in the way decided by the chief executive.\nAny person may inspect the register—\nat any office of the department when it is open to the public; or\nat any other place or in any other way decided by the chief executive.\nOn the application of a person and on payment of any fee prescribed under a regulation, the chief executive may give the person a certificate certifying as to any matter relating to the contents of the register.\ns 33 amd 2003 No. 94 s 50\n(sec.33-ssec.1) The chief executive must keep a register of licences.\n(sec.33-ssec.2) The register must contain— the addresses of the principal and other places where a licensee carries on the business of an introduction agent; and any other information prescribed under a regulation.\n(sec.33-ssec.3) The register is to be kept in the form and in the way decided by the chief executive.\n(sec.33-ssec.4) Any person may inspect the register— at any office of the department when it is open to the public; or at any other place or in any other way decided by the chief executive.\n(sec.33-ssec.5) On the application of a person and on payment of any fee prescribed under a regulation, the chief executive may give the person a certificate certifying as to any matter relating to the contents of the register.\n- (a) the addresses of the principal and other places where a licensee carries on the business of an introduction agent; and\n- (b) any other information prescribed under a regulation.\n- (a) at any office of the department when it is open to the public; or\n- (b) at any other place or in any other way decided by the chief executive.","sortOrder":46},{"sectionNumber":"pt.4","sectionType":"part","heading":"Restrictions on the operation of introduction agencies","content":"# Restrictions on the operation of introduction agencies","sortOrder":47},{"sectionNumber":"sec.34","sectionType":"section","heading":"False representations by employees or associated persons","content":"### sec.34 False representations by employees or associated persons\n\nAn employee or an associated person of an introduction agent must not, directly or indirectly—\nrepresent herself or himself as being available to be introduced to persons entering into introduction agreements with the agent; or\nfalsely represent that a particular person, whether identified by name, likeness or otherwise, is available to be introduced to persons entering into introduction agreements with the agent; or\nfalsely represent that a database of a specified size or composition is available to persons entering into introduction agreements with the agent; or\nrepresent that a person having specified characteristics is available to be introduced to persons entering into introduction agreements with the agent, if the person mentioned in the representation is not available to be introduced to persons entering into introduction agreements with the agent.\nMaximum penalty—540 penalty units.\n- (a) represent herself or himself as being available to be introduced to persons entering into introduction agreements with the agent; or\n- (b) falsely represent that a particular person, whether identified by name, likeness or otherwise, is available to be introduced to persons entering into introduction agreements with the agent; or\n- (c) falsely represent that a database of a specified size or composition is available to persons entering into introduction agreements with the agent; or\n- (d) represent that a person having specified characteristics is available to be introduced to persons entering into introduction agreements with the agent, if the person mentioned in the representation is not available to be introduced to persons entering into introduction agreements with the agent.","sortOrder":48},{"sectionNumber":"sec.35","sectionType":"section","heading":"False representations by introduction agents","content":"### sec.35 False representations by introduction agents\n\nAn introduction agent must not, directly or indirectly—\nrepresent herself or himself as being available to be introduced to persons entering into introduction agreements with the agent; or\nfalsely represent that a particular person, whether identified by name, likeness or otherwise, is available to be introduced to persons entering into introduction agreements with the agent; or\nfalsely represent that a database of a specified size or composition is available to persons entering into introduction agreements with the agent; or\nrepresent that a person having specified characteristics is available to be introduced to persons entering into introduction agreements with the agent, if the person mentioned in the representation is not available to be introduced to persons entering into introduction agreements with the agent.\nMaximum penalty—540 penalty units.\nIn a prosecution against an introduction agent for an offence against subsection (1) (b) or (c) , the agent bears the onus of proving that the relevant representation is not false if there is evidence of the falsity of the relevant representation.\nIn a prosecution against an introduction agent for an offence against subsection (1) (d) , the agent bears the onus of proving that the person mentioned in the representation was available at the relevant time to be introduced to persons entering into introduction agreements with the agent if there is evidence of the falsity of the relevant representation.\n(sec.35-ssec.1) An introduction agent must not, directly or indirectly— represent herself or himself as being available to be introduced to persons entering into introduction agreements with the agent; or falsely represent that a particular person, whether identified by name, likeness or otherwise, is available to be introduced to persons entering into introduction agreements with the agent; or falsely represent that a database of a specified size or composition is available to persons entering into introduction agreements with the agent; or represent that a person having specified characteristics is available to be introduced to persons entering into introduction agreements with the agent, if the person mentioned in the representation is not available to be introduced to persons entering into introduction agreements with the agent. Maximum penalty—540 penalty units.\n(sec.35-ssec.2) In a prosecution against an introduction agent for an offence against subsection (1) (b) or (c) , the agent bears the onus of proving that the relevant representation is not false if there is evidence of the falsity of the relevant representation.\n(sec.35-ssec.3) In a prosecution against an introduction agent for an offence against subsection (1) (d) , the agent bears the onus of proving that the person mentioned in the representation was available at the relevant time to be introduced to persons entering into introduction agreements with the agent if there is evidence of the falsity of the relevant representation.\n- (a) represent herself or himself as being available to be introduced to persons entering into introduction agreements with the agent; or\n- (b) falsely represent that a particular person, whether identified by name, likeness or otherwise, is available to be introduced to persons entering into introduction agreements with the agent; or\n- (c) falsely represent that a database of a specified size or composition is available to persons entering into introduction agreements with the agent; or\n- (d) represent that a person having specified characteristics is available to be introduced to persons entering into introduction agreements with the agent, if the person mentioned in the representation is not available to be introduced to persons entering into introduction agreements with the agent.","sortOrder":49},{"sectionNumber":"sec.36","sectionType":"section","heading":"Use and protection of client information","content":"### sec.36 Use and protection of client information\n\nAn introduction agent must restrict access to personal information given to the agent by a client, or a person who may become a client, to the following persons—\nthe introduction agent;\nan employee of the introduction agent;\na person authorised under this Act or another Act to have access to the information;\na person entitled to have access to the information under a relevant introduction agreement.\nMaximum penalty—200 penalty units.\nAn introduction agent, an employee of an introduction agent or any other person having access to personal information given to the agent by a client, or a person who may become a client of the agent, must not use the information for any purpose other than—\nto provide an introduction service under an agreement between the agent and the client; or\na purpose that the person giving the information has agreed to in writing; or\na purpose related to the administration or enforcement of this Act.\nMaximum penalty—200 penalty units.\nHowever, if the ownership of an introduction agent’s business changes, the agent may transfer personal information held by the agent to the new owner of the business without the written consent of the person who gave the personal information, unless the person otherwise directs.\nIf personal information is transferred on the change of ownership of an introduction agent’s business, the information is taken, for this section, to have been given to the new owner by the person to whom the information relates.\nIn this section—\npersonal information means information a person gives about herself or himself.\nuse information includes disclose, give or sell the information to another person.\n(sec.36-ssec.1) An introduction agent must restrict access to personal information given to the agent by a client, or a person who may become a client, to the following persons— the introduction agent; an employee of the introduction agent; a person authorised under this Act or another Act to have access to the information; a person entitled to have access to the information under a relevant introduction agreement. Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.\n(sec.36-ssec.2) An introduction agent, an employee of an introduction agent or any other person having access to personal information given to the agent by a client, or a person who may become a client of the agent, must not use the information for any purpose other than— to provide an introduction service under an agreement between the agent and the client; or a purpose that the person giving the information has agreed to in writing; or a purpose related to the administration or enforcement of this Act. Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.\n(sec.36-ssec.3) However, if the ownership of an introduction agent’s business changes, the agent may transfer personal information held by the agent to the new owner of the business without the written consent of the person who gave the personal information, unless the person otherwise directs.\n(sec.36-ssec.4) If personal information is transferred on the change of ownership of an introduction agent’s business, the information is taken, for this section, to have been given to the new owner by the person to whom the information relates.\n(sec.36-ssec.5) In this section— personal information means information a person gives about herself or himself. use information includes disclose, give or sell the information to another person.\n- (a) the introduction agent;\n- (b) an employee of the introduction agent;\n- (c) a person authorised under this Act or another Act to have access to the information;\n- (d) a person entitled to have access to the information under a relevant introduction agreement.\n- (a) to provide an introduction service under an agreement between the agent and the client; or\n- (b) a purpose that the person giving the information has agreed to in writing; or\n- (c) a purpose related to the administration or enforcement of this Act.","sortOrder":50},{"sectionNumber":"sec.37","sectionType":"section","heading":"Introduction agent not to use premises used for sex work","content":"### sec.37 Introduction agent not to use premises used for sex work\n\nAn introduction agent must not carry on the business of an introduction agent from the same premises where a person is engaged in sex work.\nMaximum penalty—200 penalty units.\nFor subsection (1) , persons carry on business from the same premises if the persons wholly or partly use or share the same office or work space.\ns 37 amd 2024 No. 23 s 36 sch 1\n(sec.37-ssec.1) An introduction agent must not carry on the business of an introduction agent from the same premises where a person is engaged in sex work. Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.\n(sec.37-ssec.2) For subsection (1) , persons carry on business from the same premises if the persons wholly or partly use or share the same office or work space.","sortOrder":51},{"sectionNumber":"sec.38","sectionType":"section","heading":"Employees must be over 18","content":"### sec.38 Employees must be over 18\n\nA person must not employ another person under 18 years in the business of an introduction agent if the other person—\nis involved directly or indirectly in negotiating, or entering into, introduction agreements for the introduction agent; or\nprovides introduction services for the introduction agent.\nMaximum penalty—200 penalty units.\n- (a) is involved directly or indirectly in negotiating, or entering into, introduction agreements for the introduction agent; or\n- (b) provides introduction services for the introduction agent.","sortOrder":52},{"sectionNumber":"sec.39","sectionType":"section","heading":"Clients must be over 18","content":"### sec.39 Clients must be over 18\n\nAn introduction agent must not enter into an introduction agreement with a person under 18 years.\nMaximum penalty—200 penalty units.","sortOrder":53},{"sectionNumber":"sec.40","sectionType":"section","heading":"Purpose of market research must be disclosed","content":"### sec.40 Purpose of market research must be disclosed\n\nThis section applies if an introduction agent collects information to enable the compilation of a list of persons who may become clients of the agent.\nThe agent, an employee of the agent or an entity collecting the information for the agent must, before seeking the information, tell the person from whom the information is sought—\nthe reason the information is being sought; and\nthat the information is being sought for an introduction agent.\nMaximum penalty—200 penalty units.\nThe agent must ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that an employee or an entity collecting the information, and any person acting on the entity’s behalf—\ntells the person from whom information is sought the reason the information is being sought; and\ndoes so before seeking the information.\nMaximum penalty—200 penalty units.\n(sec.40-ssec.1) This section applies if an introduction agent collects information to enable the compilation of a list of persons who may become clients of the agent.\n(sec.40-ssec.2) The agent, an employee of the agent or an entity collecting the information for the agent must, before seeking the information, tell the person from whom the information is sought— the reason the information is being sought; and that the information is being sought for an introduction agent. Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.\n(sec.40-ssec.3) The agent must ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that an employee or an entity collecting the information, and any person acting on the entity’s behalf— tells the person from whom information is sought the reason the information is being sought; and does so before seeking the information. Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.\n- (a) the reason the information is being sought; and\n- (b) that the information is being sought for an introduction agent.\n- (a) tells the person from whom information is sought the reason the information is being sought; and\n- (b) does so before seeking the information.","sortOrder":54},{"sectionNumber":"sec.41","sectionType":"section","heading":"Client’s name must be removed from active lists","content":"### sec.41 Client’s name must be removed from active lists\n\nThis section applies if a client asks an introduction agent in writing to stop providing an introduction service to the client.\nThe agent must—\nimmediately remove the client’s name from any list held by the agent of persons available for introduction; and\nwithin 2 business days after receiving the request, do everything else that it is practicable for the agent to do to comply with the request.\nMaximum penalty—100 penalty units.\nThis section does not prevent an introduction agent from bringing a civil action against the client in relation to the client’s request.\nThis section does not authorise the destruction of a document an introduction agent is required to keep under this Act.\n(sec.41-ssec.1) This section applies if a client asks an introduction agent in writing to stop providing an introduction service to the client.\n(sec.41-ssec.2) The agent must— immediately remove the client’s name from any list held by the agent of persons available for introduction; and within 2 business days after receiving the request, do everything else that it is practicable for the agent to do to comply with the request. Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.\n(sec.41-ssec.3) This section does not prevent an introduction agent from bringing a civil action against the client in relation to the client’s request.\n(sec.41-ssec.4) This section does not authorise the destruction of a document an introduction agent is required to keep under this Act.\n- (a) immediately remove the client’s name from any list held by the agent of persons available for introduction; and\n- (b) within 2 business days after receiving the request, do everything else that it is practicable for the agent to do to comply with the request.","sortOrder":55},{"sectionNumber":"sec.42","sectionType":"section","heading":"Records must be kept for 7 years","content":"### sec.42 Records must be kept for 7 years\n\nAn introduction agent must keep a copy of a document required to be made under this Act for 7 years after—\nif the document is required to be signed—the document is signed; or\nif the document is not required to be signed—the document is given to a person.\nintroduction agreements, pre-contractual disclosure statements\nMaximum penalty—100 penalty units.\nIf the ownership of an introduction agent’s business changes, the agent must transfer records held by the agent to the new licensee carrying on the business.\nMaximum penalty—100 penalty units.\nIf subsection (2) applies, the new licensee must comply with subsection (1) for the transferred records.\n(sec.42-ssec.1) An introduction agent must keep a copy of a document required to be made under this Act for 7 years after— if the document is required to be signed—the document is signed; or if the document is not required to be signed—the document is given to a person. introduction agreements, pre-contractual disclosure statements Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.\n(sec.42-ssec.2) If the ownership of an introduction agent’s business changes, the agent must transfer records held by the agent to the new licensee carrying on the business. Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.\n(sec.42-ssec.3) If subsection (2) applies, the new licensee must comply with subsection (1) for the transferred records.\n- (a) if the document is required to be signed—the document is signed; or\n- (b) if the document is not required to be signed—the document is given to a person.","sortOrder":56},{"sectionNumber":"pt.5","sectionType":"part","heading":"Introduction agreements","content":"# Introduction agreements","sortOrder":57},{"sectionNumber":"sec.43","sectionType":"section","heading":"Pre-contractual disclosure statement","content":"### sec.43 Pre-contractual disclosure statement\n\nBefore entering into an introduction agreement with a person, an introduction agent must give the person a detailed, easily legible and clearly expressed written statement describing the introduction service to be provided under the agreement (a pre-contractual disclosure statement ) and including, but not limited to, the matters in subsection (2) .\nMaximum penalty—200 penalty units.\nThe matters are as follows—\nthe name of the agent;\nthe type and levels of service provided by the agent;\nthe price of each level of service and the method of payment;\nthe criteria to be used for introductions;\nwhether preferences specified by the person will be strictly adhered to by the agent, or will be used only as a guide\nthe methods used to introduce clients;\npersonal introduction, circulation of membership list\nthe agent’s refund policies, including the time within which refunds will be given;\nthe agent’s complaint procedures;\nwhether the person will be liable to pay an amount for ending the agreement early and, if so, the amount the person will be liable to pay;\nany other obligations of the person;\nanything else prescribed under a regulation.\nAn introduction agent must not enter into an introduction agreement with a person unless the agent has obtained a written acknowledgement from the person that the person has received a pre-contractual disclosure statement.\nMaximum penalty—200 penalty units.\nIf an introduction agent gives a person written information in a language other than English to accompany the pre-contractual disclosure statement, the agent must ensure that the information is substantially consistent with the information provided in English.\nMaximum penalty—200 penalty units.\ns 43 amd 2003 No. 94 s 51\n(sec.43-ssec.1) Before entering into an introduction agreement with a person, an introduction agent must give the person a detailed, easily legible and clearly expressed written statement describing the introduction service to be provided under the agreement (a pre-contractual disclosure statement ) and including, but not limited to, the matters in subsection (2) . Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.\n(sec.43-ssec.2) The matters are as follows— the name of the agent; the type and levels of service provided by the agent; the price of each level of service and the method of payment; the criteria to be used for introductions; whether preferences specified by the person will be strictly adhered to by the agent, or will be used only as a guide the methods used to introduce clients; personal introduction, circulation of membership list the agent’s refund policies, including the time within which refunds will be given; the agent’s complaint procedures; whether the person will be liable to pay an amount for ending the agreement early and, if so, the amount the person will be liable to pay; any other obligations of the person; anything else prescribed under a regulation.\n(sec.43-ssec.3) An introduction agent must not enter into an introduction agreement with a person unless the agent has obtained a written acknowledgement from the person that the person has received a pre-contractual disclosure statement. Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.\n(sec.43-ssec.4) If an introduction agent gives a person written information in a language other than English to accompany the pre-contractual disclosure statement, the agent must ensure that the information is substantially consistent with the information provided in English. Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.\n- (a) the name of the agent;\n- (b) the type and levels of service provided by the agent;\n- (c) the price of each level of service and the method of payment;\n- (d) the criteria to be used for introductions; Example of criterion for paragraph (d) — whether preferences specified by the person will be strictly adhered to by the agent, or will be used only as a guide\n- (e) the methods used to introduce clients; Examples of methods of introduction for paragraph (e) — personal introduction, circulation of membership list\n- (f) the agent’s refund policies, including the time within which refunds will be given;\n- (g) the agent’s complaint procedures;\n- (h) whether the person will be liable to pay an amount for ending the agreement early and, if so, the amount the person will be liable to pay;\n- (i) any other obligations of the person;\n- (j) anything else prescribed under a regulation.","sortOrder":58},{"sectionNumber":"sec.44","sectionType":"section","heading":"What must be included in an introduction agreement","content":"### sec.44 What must be included in an introduction agreement\n\nAn introduction agent must ensure that an introduction agreement—\nis in writing, easily legible and clearly expressed; and\nstates the following—\nprominently at the top of the first page of the agreement, the agent’s licence number;\nat the beginning of the agreement, before any other words comprising the agreement, the words ‘Important Notice’ in bold type at least 16 point font size;\nimmediately after the words ‘Important Notice’ mentioned in subparagraph (ii) , the statement prescribed for this subparagraph under a regulation;\nthe names, addresses and telephone numbers of the parties to the agreement;\na full description of the service to be provided by the agent under the agreement and the terms on which the service is offered;\nthe price of the service and the method of payment;\nprominently in bold type that this Act forbids the payment of an amount more than a stated percentage that is the prepayment limit, before any part of the service is provided;\nthe term of the agreement;\nthe conditions under which refunds will be made;\nall terms of the agreement in full;\nthe date on which the client signed the agreement; and\ncomplies with any other requirements prescribed under a regulation; and\nis signed.\nMaximum penalty—200 penalty units.\nAn introduction agreement need not contain the statement mentioned in subsection (1) (b) (vii) if section 49 does not apply to the agreement.\nAn introduction agent must ensure an introduction agreement is not dated earlier than the date on which the client signs the agreement.\nMaximum penalty for subsection (3) —200 penalty units.\ns 44 amd 2003 No. 94 s 52\n(sec.44-ssec.1) An introduction agent must ensure that an introduction agreement— is in writing, easily legible and clearly expressed; and states the following— prominently at the top of the first page of the agreement, the agent’s licence number; at the beginning of the agreement, before any other words comprising the agreement, the words ‘Important Notice’ in bold type at least 16 point font size; immediately after the words ‘Important Notice’ mentioned in subparagraph (ii) , the statement prescribed for this subparagraph under a regulation; the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the parties to the agreement; a full description of the service to be provided by the agent under the agreement and the terms on which the service is offered; the price of the service and the method of payment; prominently in bold type that this Act forbids the payment of an amount more than a stated percentage that is the prepayment limit, before any part of the service is provided; the term of the agreement; the conditions under which refunds will be made; all terms of the agreement in full; the date on which the client signed the agreement; and complies with any other requirements prescribed under a regulation; and is signed. Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.\n(sec.44-ssec.2) An introduction agreement need not contain the statement mentioned in subsection (1) (b) (vii) if section 49 does not apply to the agreement.\n(sec.44-ssec.3) An introduction agent must ensure an introduction agreement is not dated earlier than the date on which the client signs the agreement. Maximum penalty for subsection (3) —200 penalty units.\n- (a) is in writing, easily legible and clearly expressed; and\n- (b) states the following— (i) prominently at the top of the first page of the agreement, the agent’s licence number; (ii) at the beginning of the agreement, before any other words comprising the agreement, the words ‘Important Notice’ in bold type at least 16 point font size; (iii) immediately after the words ‘Important Notice’ mentioned in subparagraph (ii) , the statement prescribed for this subparagraph under a regulation; (iv) the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the parties to the agreement; (v) a full description of the service to be provided by the agent under the agreement and the terms on which the service is offered; (vi) the price of the service and the method of payment; (vii) prominently in bold type that this Act forbids the payment of an amount more than a stated percentage that is the prepayment limit, before any part of the service is provided; (viii) the term of the agreement; (ix) the conditions under which refunds will be made; (x) all terms of the agreement in full; (xi) the date on which the client signed the agreement; and\n- (i) prominently at the top of the first page of the agreement, the agent’s licence number;\n- (ii) at the beginning of the agreement, before any other words comprising the agreement, the words ‘Important Notice’ in bold type at least 16 point font size;\n- (iii) immediately after the words ‘Important Notice’ mentioned in subparagraph (ii) , the statement prescribed for this subparagraph under a regulation;\n- (iv) the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the parties to the agreement;\n- (v) a full description of the service to be provided by the agent under the agreement and the terms on which the service is offered;\n- (vi) the price of the service and the method of payment;\n- (vii) prominently in bold type that this Act forbids the payment of an amount more than a stated percentage that is the prepayment limit, before any part of the service is provided;\n- (viii) the term of the agreement;\n- (ix) the conditions under which refunds will be made;\n- (x) all terms of the agreement in full;\n- (xi) the date on which the client signed the agreement; and\n- (c) complies with any other requirements prescribed under a regulation; and\n- (d) is signed.\n- (i) prominently at the top of the first page of the agreement, the agent’s licence number;\n- (ii) at the beginning of the agreement, before any other words comprising the agreement, the words ‘Important Notice’ in bold type at least 16 point font size;\n- (iii) immediately after the words ‘Important Notice’ mentioned in subparagraph (ii) , the statement prescribed for this subparagraph under a regulation;\n- (iv) the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the parties to the agreement;\n- (v) a full description of the service to be provided by the agent under the agreement and the terms on which the service is offered;\n- (vi) the price of the service and the method of payment;\n- (vii) prominently in bold type that this Act forbids the payment of an amount more than a stated percentage that is the prepayment limit, before any part of the service is provided;\n- (viii) the term of the agreement;\n- (ix) the conditions under which refunds will be made;\n- (x) all terms of the agreement in full;\n- (xi) the date on which the client signed the agreement; and","sortOrder":59},{"sectionNumber":"sec.45","sectionType":"section","heading":"Client must be given copy of agreement","content":"### sec.45 Client must be given copy of agreement\n\nImmediately after entering into an introduction agreement, an introduction agent must give the client a readily legible copy of the signed agreement.\nMaximum penalty—200 penalty units.\nIf the copy of the agreement given to the client is a photocopy, it is sufficient compliance with subsection (1) that the photocopy has a copy of the signatures of the agent and the client.\ns 45 amd 2003 No. 94 s 53\n(sec.45-ssec.1) Immediately after entering into an introduction agreement, an introduction agent must give the client a readily legible copy of the signed agreement. Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.\n(sec.45-ssec.2) If the copy of the agreement given to the client is a photocopy, it is sufficient compliance with subsection (1) that the photocopy has a copy of the signatures of the agent and the client.","sortOrder":60},{"sectionNumber":"sec.46","sectionType":"section","heading":"When introduction agreement is voidable","content":"### sec.46 When introduction agreement is voidable\n\nThis section applies if—\nan introduction agent does not give a person (a client ) a pre-contractual disclosure statement before entering into an introduction agreement with the client; or\nan introduction agent gives a person (also a client ) a pre-contractual statement that does not comply with section 43 ; or\nan introduction agreement entered into by a client does not comply with section 44 ; or\nan introduction agent does not give a client a copy of the introduction agreement in accordance with section 45 .\nThe client may end the agreement at any time before it is completed by notice given to the introduction agent.\n(sec.46-ssec.1) This section applies if— an introduction agent does not give a person (a client ) a pre-contractual disclosure statement before entering into an introduction agreement with the client; or an introduction agent gives a person (also a client ) a pre-contractual statement that does not comply with section 43 ; or an introduction agreement entered into by a client does not comply with section 44 ; or an introduction agent does not give a client a copy of the introduction agreement in accordance with section 45 .\n(sec.46-ssec.2) The client may end the agreement at any time before it is completed by notice given to the introduction agent.\n- (a) an introduction agent does not give a person (a client ) a pre-contractual disclosure statement before entering into an introduction agreement with the client; or\n- (b) an introduction agent gives a person (also a client ) a pre-contractual statement that does not comply with section 43 ; or\n- (c) an introduction agreement entered into by a client does not comply with section 44 ; or\n- (d) an introduction agent does not give a client a copy of the introduction agreement in accordance with section 45 .","sortOrder":61},{"sectionNumber":"sec.47","sectionType":"section","heading":"Client entitled to refund if agreement voidable","content":"### sec.47 Client entitled to refund if agreement voidable\n\nIf a client gives an introduction agent a notice under section 46 , the introduction agent must refund to the client any amount that has been paid under the agreement within 21 days after receiving the notice.\nMaximum penalty—200 penalty units.\nIf the introduction agent does not refund the amount to the client, the client may recover the amount from the agent as a debt due to the client.\nSubsections (1) and (2) are subject to section 48 .\nSubsections (1) and (2) do not apply if, under section 53 —\nthe introduction agent and the client agree in writing on an amount to be refunded to the client; and\nthe agent refunds the amount to the client.\n(sec.47-ssec.1) If a client gives an introduction agent a notice under section 46 , the introduction agent must refund to the client any amount that has been paid under the agreement within 21 days after receiving the notice. Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.\n(sec.47-ssec.2) If the introduction agent does not refund the amount to the client, the client may recover the amount from the agent as a debt due to the client.\n(sec.47-ssec.3) Subsections (1) and (2) are subject to section 48 .\n(sec.47-ssec.4) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply if, under section 53 — the introduction agent and the client agree in writing on an amount to be refunded to the client; and the agent refunds the amount to the client.\n- (a) the introduction agent and the client agree in writing on an amount to be refunded to the client; and\n- (b) the agent refunds the amount to the client.","sortOrder":62},{"sectionNumber":"sec.48","sectionType":"section","heading":"When introduction agent entitled to compensation","content":"### sec.48 When introduction agent entitled to compensation\n\nThis section applies if a client gives an introduction agent a notice under section 46 .\nThis section does not apply if, under section 53 —\nthe introduction agent and the client agree in writing on an amount to be refunded to the client; and\nthe agent refunds the amount to the client.\nThe introduction agent may, within 28 days after receiving the notice, apply to a Magistrates Court for an order that the agent is entitled to an amount from the client for things done by the agent under the introduction agreement before the agent received the notice.\nThe introduction agent may make the application even though the agent has refunded an amount under section 47 .\nAn introduction agent need not refund an amount under, and does not contravene, section 47 (1) if the agent—\nwithin 21 days after receiving the notice, applies to a Magistrates Court for an order that the agent is entitled to an amount from the client for things done by the agent under the introduction agreement before the agent received the notice; and\npays into the court an amount equivalent to the amount that has been paid under the agreement.\nA court to which an application is made under subsection (3) or (5) may order the client to pay an amount to the introduction agent if the court considers that—\nthe defect that caused the agreement to be voidable was of a relatively minor nature; and\nallowing the agent to recover the amount would not be unfair to the client having regard to—\nany services provided or work performed under the agreement; and\nwhether the agent or any one else used unfair pressure, undue influence or unfair tactics on the client at any time in relation to the agreement and, if so, the nature and extent of the unfair pressure, undue influence or unfair tactics.\nThe court may also make any incidental order, including an order for costs, it considers appropriate.\n(sec.48-ssec.1) This section applies if a client gives an introduction agent a notice under section 46 .\n(sec.48-ssec.2) This section does not apply if, under section 53 — the introduction agent and the client agree in writing on an amount to be refunded to the client; and the agent refunds the amount to the client.\n(sec.48-ssec.3) The introduction agent may, within 28 days after receiving the notice, apply to a Magistrates Court for an order that the agent is entitled to an amount from the client for things done by the agent under the introduction agreement before the agent received the notice.\n(sec.48-ssec.4) The introduction agent may make the application even though the agent has refunded an amount under section 47 .\n(sec.48-ssec.5) An introduction agent need not refund an amount under, and does not contravene, section 47 (1) if the agent— within 21 days after receiving the notice, applies to a Magistrates Court for an order that the agent is entitled to an amount from the client for things done by the agent under the introduction agreement before the agent received the notice; and pays into the court an amount equivalent to the amount that has been paid under the agreement.\n(sec.48-ssec.6) A court to which an application is made under subsection (3) or (5) may order the client to pay an amount to the introduction agent if the court considers that— the defect that caused the agreement to be voidable was of a relatively minor nature; and allowing the agent to recover the amount would not be unfair to the client having regard to— any services provided or work performed under the agreement; and whether the agent or any one else used unfair pressure, undue influence or unfair tactics on the client at any time in relation to the agreement and, if so, the nature and extent of the unfair pressure, undue influence or unfair tactics.\n(sec.48-ssec.7) The court may also make any incidental order, including an order for costs, it considers appropriate.\n- (a) the introduction agent and the client agree in writing on an amount to be refunded to the client; and\n- (b) the agent refunds the amount to the client.\n- (a) within 21 days after receiving the notice, applies to a Magistrates Court for an order that the agent is entitled to an amount from the client for things done by the agent under the introduction agreement before the agent received the notice; and\n- (b) pays into the court an amount equivalent to the amount that has been paid under the agreement.\n- (a) the defect that caused the agreement to be voidable was of a relatively minor nature; and\n- (b) allowing the agent to recover the amount would not be unfair to the client having regard to— (i) any services provided or work performed under the agreement; and (ii) whether the agent or any one else used unfair pressure, undue influence or unfair tactics on the client at any time in relation to the agreement and, if so, the nature and extent of the unfair pressure, undue influence or unfair tactics.\n- (i) any services provided or work performed under the agreement; and\n- (ii) whether the agent or any one else used unfair pressure, undue influence or unfair tactics on the client at any time in relation to the agreement and, if so, the nature and extent of the unfair pressure, undue influence or unfair tactics.\n- (i) any services provided or work performed under the agreement; and\n- (ii) whether the agent or any one else used unfair pressure, undue influence or unfair tactics on the client at any time in relation to the agreement and, if so, the nature and extent of the unfair pressure, undue influence or unfair tactics.","sortOrder":63},{"sectionNumber":"sec.49","sectionType":"section","heading":"Restriction on prepayments","content":"### sec.49 Restriction on prepayments\n\nThis section applies to an introduction agreement only if—\nthe contract price for the agreement is at least the amount prescribed under a regulation or, if no amount is prescribed, at least $500; or\nthe total of the contract price for the agreement and all other amounts that the person entering into the agreement with the introduction agent paid, or became liable to pay, the agent for any other introduction agreements—\nin the 30 days immediately before the date the agreement was signed—is at least the amount prescribed under a regulation or, if no amount is prescribed, at least $500; or\nin the 12 months immediately before the date the agreement was signed—is at least the amount prescribed under a regulation or, if no amount is prescribed, at least $2,500.\nAn introduction agent must not, before any part of an introduction service is provided under the agreement, demand of, or receive from, a client or someone else on the client’s behalf, an amount that is more than the prepayment limit for the agreement.\nMaximum penalty—200 penalty units.\nAn associated person of an introduction agent must not, before any part of an introduction service is provided under the agreement, demand of, or receive from, a client or someone else on the client’s behalf, an amount that is more than the prepayment limit for the agreement.\nMaximum penalty—200 penalty units.\ns 49 amd 2003 No. 94 s 54\n(sec.49-ssec.1) This section applies to an introduction agreement only if— the contract price for the agreement is at least the amount prescribed under a regulation or, if no amount is prescribed, at least $500; or the total of the contract price for the agreement and all other amounts that the person entering into the agreement with the introduction agent paid, or became liable to pay, the agent for any other introduction agreements— in the 30 days immediately before the date the agreement was signed—is at least the amount prescribed under a regulation or, if no amount is prescribed, at least $500; or in the 12 months immediately before the date the agreement was signed—is at least the amount prescribed under a regulation or, if no amount is prescribed, at least $2,500.\n(sec.49-ssec.2) An introduction agent must not, before any part of an introduction service is provided under the agreement, demand of, or receive from, a client or someone else on the client’s behalf, an amount that is more than the prepayment limit for the agreement. Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.\n(sec.49-ssec.3) An associated person of an introduction agent must not, before any part of an introduction service is provided under the agreement, demand of, or receive from, a client or someone else on the client’s behalf, an amount that is more than the prepayment limit for the agreement. Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.\n- (a) the contract price for the agreement is at least the amount prescribed under a regulation or, if no amount is prescribed, at least $500; or\n- (b) the total of the contract price for the agreement and all other amounts that the person entering into the agreement with the introduction agent paid, or became liable to pay, the agent for any other introduction agreements— (i) in the 30 days immediately before the date the agreement was signed—is at least the amount prescribed under a regulation or, if no amount is prescribed, at least $500; or (ii) in the 12 months immediately before the date the agreement was signed—is at least the amount prescribed under a regulation or, if no amount is prescribed, at least $2,500.\n- (i) in the 30 days immediately before the date the agreement was signed—is at least the amount prescribed under a regulation or, if no amount is prescribed, at least $500; or\n- (ii) in the 12 months immediately before the date the agreement was signed—is at least the amount prescribed under a regulation or, if no amount is prescribed, at least $2,500.\n- (i) in the 30 days immediately before the date the agreement was signed—is at least the amount prescribed under a regulation or, if no amount is prescribed, at least $500; or\n- (ii) in the 12 months immediately before the date the agreement was signed—is at least the amount prescribed under a regulation or, if no amount is prescribed, at least $2,500.","sortOrder":64},{"sectionNumber":"sec.50","sectionType":"section","heading":"Introduction agreement voidable if restriction on prepayments not complied with","content":"### sec.50 Introduction agreement voidable if restriction on prepayments not complied with\n\nThis section applies if—\nan introduction agent does not comply with section 49 (2) ; or\nan associated person of an introduction agent does not comply with section 49 (3) .\nThe client may end the agreement at any time before it is completed by notice given to the introduction agent.\n(sec.50-ssec.1) This section applies if— an introduction agent does not comply with section 49 (2) ; or an associated person of an introduction agent does not comply with section 49 (3) .\n(sec.50-ssec.2) The client may end the agreement at any time before it is completed by notice given to the introduction agent.\n- (a) an introduction agent does not comply with section 49 (2) ; or\n- (b) an associated person of an introduction agent does not comply with section 49 (3) .","sortOrder":65},{"sectionNumber":"sec.51","sectionType":"section","heading":"Client entitled to full refund","content":"### sec.51 Client entitled to full refund\n\nIf a client gives an introduction agent a notice under section 50 , the introduction agent must refund to the client the whole of the amount that has been paid under the agreement within 21 days after receiving the notice.\nMaximum penalty—200 penalty units.\nIf the introduction agent does not refund the amount to the client, the client may recover the amount from the agent as a debt due to the client.\nSubsections (1) and (2) do not apply if, under section 53 —\nthe introduction agent and the client agree in writing on the amount to be refunded to the client; and\nthe agent refunds the amount to the client.\n(sec.51-ssec.1) If a client gives an introduction agent a notice under section 50 , the introduction agent must refund to the client the whole of the amount that has been paid under the agreement within 21 days after receiving the notice. Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.\n(sec.51-ssec.2) If the introduction agent does not refund the amount to the client, the client may recover the amount from the agent as a debt due to the client.\n(sec.51-ssec.3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply if, under section 53 — the introduction agent and the client agree in writing on the amount to be refunded to the client; and the agent refunds the amount to the client.\n- (a) the introduction agent and the client agree in writing on the amount to be refunded to the client; and\n- (b) the agent refunds the amount to the client.","sortOrder":66},{"sectionNumber":"sec.52","sectionType":"section","heading":"When introduction agent entitled to compensation","content":"### sec.52 When introduction agent entitled to compensation\n\nThis section applies if—\nan introduction agent is given a notice under section 50 ; and\nunder section 51 (1) , the agent refunds to the client the whole of the amount that has been paid under the introduction agreement by the client.\nThis section does not apply if, under section 53 —\nthe agent and the client agree in writing on an amount to be paid to the agent; and\nthe amount is paid to the agent.\nThe introduction agent may, within 28 days after receiving the notice, apply to a Magistrates Court for an order that the agent is entitled to an amount from the client for things done by the agent under the introduction agreement before the agent received the notice.\nThe court may order the client to pay an amount to the introduction agent if the court considers that—\nthe amount, received by the introduction agent before any part of the introduction service is provided, that is more than the prepayment limit for the agreement is only a small amount compared to the contract price for the agreement; and\nit would be unfair in all the circumstances of the case for the agent not to recover an amount having regard to—\nthe extent of the agent’s compliance with this Act as a whole in relation to the agreement; and\nthe extent to which the agent or anyone else used unfair pressure, undue influence or unfair tactics on the client at any time in relation to the agreement and, if so, the nature and extent of the unfair pressure, undue influence or unfair tactics.\nThe court may also make any incidental order, including an order for costs, it considers appropriate.\n(sec.52-ssec.1) This section applies if— an introduction agent is given a notice under section 50 ; and under section 51 (1) , the agent refunds to the client the whole of the amount that has been paid under the introduction agreement by the client.\n(sec.52-ssec.2) This section does not apply if, under section 53 — the agent and the client agree in writing on an amount to be paid to the agent; and the amount is paid to the agent.\n(sec.52-ssec.3) The introduction agent may, within 28 days after receiving the notice, apply to a Magistrates Court for an order that the agent is entitled to an amount from the client for things done by the agent under the introduction agreement before the agent received the notice.\n(sec.52-ssec.4) The court may order the client to pay an amount to the introduction agent if the court considers that— the amount, received by the introduction agent before any part of the introduction service is provided, that is more than the prepayment limit for the agreement is only a small amount compared to the contract price for the agreement; and it would be unfair in all the circumstances of the case for the agent not to recover an amount having regard to— the extent of the agent’s compliance with this Act as a whole in relation to the agreement; and the extent to which the agent or anyone else used unfair pressure, undue influence or unfair tactics on the client at any time in relation to the agreement and, if so, the nature and extent of the unfair pressure, undue influence or unfair tactics.\n(sec.52-ssec.5) The court may also make any incidental order, including an order for costs, it considers appropriate.\n- (a) an introduction agent is given a notice under section 50 ; and\n- (b) under section 51 (1) , the agent refunds to the client the whole of the amount that has been paid under the introduction agreement by the client.\n- (a) the agent and the client agree in writing on an amount to be paid to the agent; and\n- (b) the amount is paid to the agent.\n- (a) the amount, received by the introduction agent before any part of the introduction service is provided, that is more than the prepayment limit for the agreement is only a small amount compared to the contract price for the agreement; and\n- (b) it would be unfair in all the circumstances of the case for the agent not to recover an amount having regard to— (i) the extent of the agent’s compliance with this Act as a whole in relation to the agreement; and (ii) the extent to which the agent or anyone else used unfair pressure, undue influence or unfair tactics on the client at any time in relation to the agreement and, if so, the nature and extent of the unfair pressure, undue influence or unfair tactics.\n- (i) the extent of the agent’s compliance with this Act as a whole in relation to the agreement; and\n- (ii) the extent to which the agent or anyone else used unfair pressure, undue influence or unfair tactics on the client at any time in relation to the agreement and, if so, the nature and extent of the unfair pressure, undue influence or unfair tactics.\n- (i) the extent of the agent’s compliance with this Act as a whole in relation to the agreement; and\n- (ii) the extent to which the agent or anyone else used unfair pressure, undue influence or unfair tactics on the client at any time in relation to the agreement and, if so, the nature and extent of the unfair pressure, undue influence or unfair tactics.","sortOrder":67},{"sectionNumber":"sec.53","sectionType":"section","heading":"Introduction agent and client can agree on refund or compensation","content":"### sec.53 Introduction agent and client can agree on refund or compensation\n\nAn introduction agent and a client may, within 21 days after the introduction agent receives a notice ending an introduction agreement under section 46 or 50 , agree in writing on an amount to be refunded to the client under section 47 or 51 .","sortOrder":68},{"sectionNumber":"sec.54","sectionType":"section","heading":"Balance of contract price to be paid at end of agreement or in equal instalments","content":"### sec.54 Balance of contract price to be paid at end of agreement or in equal instalments\n\nThis section applies to an introduction agreement only if—\nthe contract price for the agreement is at least the amount prescribed under a regulation or, if no amount is prescribed, at least $500; or\nthe total of the contract price for the agreement and all other amounts that the person entering into the agreement with the introduction agent paid, or became liable to pay, the agent for any other introduction agreements—\nin the 30 days immediately before the date the agreement was signed, is at least the amount prescribed under a regulation or, if no amount is prescribed, at least $500; or\nin the 12 months immediately before the date the agreement was signed, is at least the amount prescribed under a regulation or, if no amount is prescribed, at least $2,500.\nAn introduction agreement must provide that, apart from the first payment made under the agreement, the balance of the contract price for the agreement is to be paid—\nat the end of the agreement; or\nin equal instalments spread equally over the term of the agreement as the term is set out in the agreement.\nDespite subsection (2) —\nthe first payment under the agreement may be for an amount that is more than the amount of each of the subsequent instalments to be paid under the agreement, but must not be for an amount that is more than the prepayment limit for the agreement; and\nthe agreement may require the last instalment to be paid before the end of the agreement.\nAn introduction agent must not—\nenter into an introduction agreement that does not comply with subsection (2) as qualified by subsection (3) ; or\nin relation to an introduction agreement, demand of, or receive from, a client or someone else on the client’s behalf an amount in contravention of this section.\nMaximum penalty—200 penalty units.\nAn associated person of an introduction agent must not, in relation to an introduction agreement, demand of, or receive from, a client or someone else on the client’s behalf an amount in contravention of this section.\nMaximum penalty—200 penalty units.\nAny amount that the client has paid to the agent under the agreement that is more than the amount permitted to be paid under this section is immediately recoverable by the client from the agent as a debt due to the client.\n(sec.54-ssec.1) This section applies to an introduction agreement only if— the contract price for the agreement is at least the amount prescribed under a regulation or, if no amount is prescribed, at least $500; or the total of the contract price for the agreement and all other amounts that the person entering into the agreement with the introduction agent paid, or became liable to pay, the agent for any other introduction agreements— in the 30 days immediately before the date the agreement was signed, is at least the amount prescribed under a regulation or, if no amount is prescribed, at least $500; or in the 12 months immediately before the date the agreement was signed, is at least the amount prescribed under a regulation or, if no amount is prescribed, at least $2,500.\n(sec.54-ssec.2) An introduction agreement must provide that, apart from the first payment made under the agreement, the balance of the contract price for the agreement is to be paid— at the end of the agreement; or in equal instalments spread equally over the term of the agreement as the term is set out in the agreement.\n(sec.54-ssec.3) Despite subsection (2) — the first payment under the agreement may be for an amount that is more than the amount of each of the subsequent instalments to be paid under the agreement, but must not be for an amount that is more than the prepayment limit for the agreement; and the agreement may require the last instalment to be paid before the end of the agreement.\n(sec.54-ssec.4) An introduction agent must not— enter into an introduction agreement that does not comply with subsection (2) as qualified by subsection (3) ; or in relation to an introduction agreement, demand of, or receive from, a client or someone else on the client’s behalf an amount in contravention of this section. Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.\n(sec.54-ssec.5) An associated person of an introduction agent must not, in relation to an introduction agreement, demand of, or receive from, a client or someone else on the client’s behalf an amount in contravention of this section. Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.\n(sec.54-ssec.6) Any amount that the client has paid to the agent under the agreement that is more than the amount permitted to be paid under this section is immediately recoverable by the client from the agent as a debt due to the client.\n- (a) the contract price for the agreement is at least the amount prescribed under a regulation or, if no amount is prescribed, at least $500; or\n- (b) the total of the contract price for the agreement and all other amounts that the person entering into the agreement with the introduction agent paid, or became liable to pay, the agent for any other introduction agreements— (i) in the 30 days immediately before the date the agreement was signed, is at least the amount prescribed under a regulation or, if no amount is prescribed, at least $500; or (ii) in the 12 months immediately before the date the agreement was signed, is at least the amount prescribed under a regulation or, if no amount is prescribed, at least $2,500.\n- (i) in the 30 days immediately before the date the agreement was signed, is at least the amount prescribed under a regulation or, if no amount is prescribed, at least $500; or\n- (ii) in the 12 months immediately before the date the agreement was signed, is at least the amount prescribed under a regulation or, if no amount is prescribed, at least $2,500.\n- (i) in the 30 days immediately before the date the agreement was signed, is at least the amount prescribed under a regulation or, if no amount is prescribed, at least $500; or\n- (ii) in the 12 months immediately before the date the agreement was signed, is at least the amount prescribed under a regulation or, if no amount is prescribed, at least $2,500.\n- (a) at the end of the agreement; or\n- (b) in equal instalments spread equally over the term of the agreement as the term is set out in the agreement.\n- (a) the first payment under the agreement may be for an amount that is more than the amount of each of the subsequent instalments to be paid under the agreement, but must not be for an amount that is more than the prepayment limit for the agreement; and\n- (b) the agreement may require the last instalment to be paid before the end of the agreement.\n- (a) enter into an introduction agreement that does not comply with subsection (2) as qualified by subsection (3) ; or\n- (b) in relation to an introduction agreement, demand of, or receive from, a client or someone else on the client’s behalf an amount in contravention of this section.","sortOrder":69},{"sectionNumber":"sec.55","sectionType":"section","heading":"Early termination payment by client allowed","content":"### sec.55 Early termination payment by client allowed\n\nThis section does not apply if a client has ended an introduction agreement under section 46 or 50 .\nDespite section 54 (2) , an introduction agreement may require a client to pay an amount for ending the agreement before a stated date (not earlier than 5pm on the third clear business day after the client receives a copy of the signed introduction agreement).\nThe amount must be stated in the agreement and must not be more than the difference between—\nthe contract price for the agreement; and\nthe amount that the client has paid under the agreement up to the time it is ended.\ns 55 amd 2003 No. 94 s 55\n(sec.55-ssec.1) This section does not apply if a client has ended an introduction agreement under section 46 or 50 .\n(sec.55-ssec.2) Despite section 54 (2) , an introduction agreement may require a client to pay an amount for ending the agreement before a stated date (not earlier than 5pm on the third clear business day after the client receives a copy of the signed introduction agreement).\n(sec.55-ssec.3) The amount must be stated in the agreement and must not be more than the difference between— the contract price for the agreement; and the amount that the client has paid under the agreement up to the time it is ended.\n- (a) the contract price for the agreement; and\n- (b) the amount that the client has paid under the agreement up to the time it is ended.","sortOrder":70},{"sectionNumber":"sec.56","sectionType":"section","heading":"Agreement with opt out clause","content":"### sec.56 Agreement with opt out clause\n\nThis section applies if—\nan introduction agreement has an opt out clause; and\nthe client does not end the agreement on the opt out date.\nFor sections 49 to 55 , the client is taken to have entered into a new introduction agreement with the introduction agent on the opt out date for the balance of the term of the original agreement.\n(sec.56-ssec.1) This section applies if— an introduction agreement has an opt out clause; and the client does not end the agreement on the opt out date.\n(sec.56-ssec.2) For sections 49 to 55 , the client is taken to have entered into a new introduction agreement with the introduction agent on the opt out date for the balance of the term of the original agreement.\n- (a) an introduction agreement has an opt out clause; and\n- (b) the client does not end the agreement on the opt out date.","sortOrder":71},{"sectionNumber":"sec.57","sectionType":"section","heading":"Provisions of this Act not to be avoided","content":"### sec.57 Provisions of this Act not to be avoided\n\nAn introduction agent must not enter into an introduction agreement or other instrument that contains a term that purports to vary or exclude the operation of a provision of this Act, unless the variation or exclusion is expressly allowed by this Act.\nMaximum penalty—200 penalty units.\nUnless expressly allowed by this Act, a term in an introduction agreement or other instrument that purports to vary or exclude the operation of a provision of this Act is void.\nThis section does not prevent the parties to an introduction agreement from including terms in the agreement that vary or exclude the operation of this Act by imposing greater or more onerous obligations on an introduction agent than are imposed by this Act.\n(sec.57-ssec.1) An introduction agent must not enter into an introduction agreement or other instrument that contains a term that purports to vary or exclude the operation of a provision of this Act, unless the variation or exclusion is expressly allowed by this Act. Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.\n(sec.57-ssec.2) Unless expressly allowed by this Act, a term in an introduction agreement or other instrument that purports to vary or exclude the operation of a provision of this Act is void.\n(sec.57-ssec.3) This section does not prevent the parties to an introduction agreement from including terms in the agreement that vary or exclude the operation of this Act by imposing greater or more onerous obligations on an introduction agent than are imposed by this Act.","sortOrder":72},{"sectionNumber":"sec.58","sectionType":"section","heading":"Cooling-off period","content":"### sec.58 Cooling-off period\n\nThis section does not limit section 46 .\nA client may end an introduction agreement at any time before 5pm on the third clear business day after the client receives a copy of the signed agreement.\nA client receives a copy of the signed introduction agreement at 2pm on Monday. To end the agreement, the client must indicate to the introduction agent an intention to end the agreement by 5pm on Thursday, assuming that Monday to Thursday are all business days.\nThe client ends the agreement by giving signed notice to the introduction agent.\ns 58 amd 2003 No. 94 s 56\n(sec.58-ssec.1) This section does not limit section 46 .\n(sec.58-ssec.2) A client may end an introduction agreement at any time before 5pm on the third clear business day after the client receives a copy of the signed agreement. A client receives a copy of the signed introduction agreement at 2pm on Monday. To end the agreement, the client must indicate to the introduction agent an intention to end the agreement by 5pm on Thursday, assuming that Monday to Thursday are all business days.\n(sec.58-ssec.3) The client ends the agreement by giving signed notice to the introduction agent.","sortOrder":73},{"sectionNumber":"sec.59","sectionType":"section","heading":"Consequences of exercising rights in cooling-off period","content":"### sec.59 Consequences of exercising rights in cooling-off period\n\nIf a client ends an introduction agreement under section 58 —\nthe introduction agent is entitled to the lesser of the following amounts—\nthe amount prescribed under a regulation or, if no amount is prescribed, $50;\nan amount equal to 10% of the contract price for the agreement; and\nthe agent must refund to the client the whole of the amount that the client has paid to the agent under the agreement, other than an amount the agent is entitled to under paragraph (a) ; and\nthe client is not liable to the agent in any way for ending the agreement, despite anything to the contrary in the agreement.\nThe introduction agent must refund the amount mentioned in subsection (1) (b) within 7 days after receiving the client’s notice.\nMaximum penalty—200 penalty units.\nIf the introduction agent does not refund the amount mentioned in subsection (1) (b) to the client, the client may recover the amount from the agent as a debt due to the client.\n(sec.59-ssec.1) If a client ends an introduction agreement under section 58 — the introduction agent is entitled to the lesser of the following amounts— the amount prescribed under a regulation or, if no amount is prescribed, $50; an amount equal to 10% of the contract price for the agreement; and the agent must refund to the client the whole of the amount that the client has paid to the agent under the agreement, other than an amount the agent is entitled to under paragraph (a) ; and the client is not liable to the agent in any way for ending the agreement, despite anything to the contrary in the agreement.\n(sec.59-ssec.2) The introduction agent must refund the amount mentioned in subsection (1) (b) within 7 days after receiving the client’s notice. Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.\n(sec.59-ssec.3) If the introduction agent does not refund the amount mentioned in subsection (1) (b) to the client, the client may recover the amount from the agent as a debt due to the client.\n- (a) the introduction agent is entitled to the lesser of the following amounts— (i) the amount prescribed under a regulation or, if no amount is prescribed, $50; (ii) an amount equal to 10% of the contract price for the agreement; and\n- (i) the amount prescribed under a regulation or, if no amount is prescribed, $50;\n- (ii) an amount equal to 10% of the contract price for the agreement; and\n- (b) the agent must refund to the client the whole of the amount that the client has paid to the agent under the agreement, other than an amount the agent is entitled to under paragraph (a) ; and\n- (c) the client is not liable to the agent in any way for ending the agreement, despite anything to the contrary in the agreement.\n- (i) the amount prescribed under a regulation or, if no amount is prescribed, $50;\n- (ii) an amount equal to 10% of the contract price for the agreement; and","sortOrder":74},{"sectionNumber":"sec.59A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Onus on introduction agent to prove client bound","content":"### sec.59A Onus on introduction agent to prove client bound\n\nThe introduction agent bears the onus of proving whether or to when a client is bound by an introduction agreement if a dispute arises about the issue.\ns 59A ins 2003 No. 94 s 57","sortOrder":75},{"sectionNumber":"sec.60","sectionType":"section","heading":"Additional services may only be provided under a new agreement","content":"### sec.60 Additional services may only be provided under a new agreement\n\nIf a client wishes to obtain a different level of introduction service from the level stated in an introduction agreement, the introduction agent must not demand or receive any amount for providing the different level of service.\nMaximum penalty—200 penalty units.\nSubsection (1) does not apply if the introduction agent receives an amount for providing the different level of service under a new introduction agreement.\n(sec.60-ssec.1) If a client wishes to obtain a different level of introduction service from the level stated in an introduction agreement, the introduction agent must not demand or receive any amount for providing the different level of service. Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.\n(sec.60-ssec.2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the introduction agent receives an amount for providing the different level of service under a new introduction agreement.","sortOrder":76},{"sectionNumber":"pt.6","sectionType":"part","heading":null,"content":"","sortOrder":77},{"sectionNumber":"pt.6-div.1","sectionType":"division","heading":null,"content":"","sortOrder":78},{"sectionNumber":"sec.61","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sec.61\n\ns 61 om 2014 No. 8 s 124","sortOrder":79},{"sectionNumber":"sec.62","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sec.62\n\ns 62 om 2014 No. 8 s 124","sortOrder":80},{"sectionNumber":"sec.63","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sec.63\n\ns 63 om 2014 No. 8 s 124","sortOrder":81},{"sectionNumber":"sec.64","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sec.64\n\ns 64 om 2014 No. 8 s 124","sortOrder":82},{"sectionNumber":"pt.6-div.2","sectionType":"division","heading":null,"content":"","sortOrder":83},{"sectionNumber":"sec.65","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sec.65\n\ns 65 om 2014 No. 8 s 124","sortOrder":84},{"sectionNumber":"sec.66","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sec.66\n\ns 66 om 2014 No. 8 s 124","sortOrder":85},{"sectionNumber":"sec.67","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sec.67\n\ns 67 om 2014 No. 8 s 124","sortOrder":86},{"sectionNumber":"sec.68","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sec.68\n\ns 68 om 2014 No. 8 s 124","sortOrder":87},{"sectionNumber":"sec.69","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sec.69\n\ns 69 om 2014 No. 8 s 124","sortOrder":88},{"sectionNumber":"sec.70","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sec.70\n\ns 70 om 2014 No. 8 s 124","sortOrder":89},{"sectionNumber":"sec.71","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sec.71\n\ns 71 om 2014 No. 8 s 124","sortOrder":90},{"sectionNumber":"sec.72","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sec.72\n\ns 72 om 2014 No. 8 s 124","sortOrder":91},{"sectionNumber":"sec.73","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sec.73\n\ns 73 om 2014 No. 8 s 124","sortOrder":92},{"sectionNumber":"sec.74","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sec.74\n\ns 74 om 2014 No. 8 s 124","sortOrder":93},{"sectionNumber":"sec.75","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sec.75\n\ns 75 om 2014 No. 8 s 124","sortOrder":94},{"sectionNumber":"sec.76","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sec.76\n\ns 76 om 2014 No. 8 s 124","sortOrder":95},{"sectionNumber":"sec.77","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sec.77\n\ns 77 om 2014 No. 8 s 124","sortOrder":96},{"sectionNumber":"sec.78","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sec.78\n\ns 78 om 2014 No. 8 s 124","sortOrder":97},{"sectionNumber":"sec.79","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sec.79\n\ns 79 om 2014 No. 8 s 124","sortOrder":98},{"sectionNumber":"sec.80","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sec.80\n\ns 80 om 2014 No. 8 s 124","sortOrder":99},{"sectionNumber":"sec.81","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sec.81\n\ns 81 om 2014 No. 8 s 124","sortOrder":100},{"sectionNumber":"pt.7","sectionType":"part","heading":"External review","content":"# External review","sortOrder":101},{"sectionNumber":"sec.82","sectionType":"section","heading":"Definition for pt 7","content":"### sec.82 Definition for pt 7\n\nIn this part—\nreviewable decision means—\nfor an applicant for a licence—\na decision of the chief executive to impose a condition on a licence under section 24 (1) (a) ; or\na decision of the chief executive under section 24 (1) (b) ; or\nfor a licensee—a decision of the chief executive under section 27 (2) or 30 (3) (b) .\ns 82 sub 2009 No. 24 s 602\n- (a) for an applicant for a licence— (i) a decision of the chief executive to impose a condition on a licence under section 24 (1) (a) ; or (ii) a decision of the chief executive under section 24 (1) (b) ; or\n- (i) a decision of the chief executive to impose a condition on a licence under section 24 (1) (a) ; or\n- (ii) a decision of the chief executive under section 24 (1) (b) ; or\n- (b) for a licensee—a decision of the chief executive under section 27 (2) or 30 (3) (b) .\n- (i) a decision of the chief executive to impose a condition on a licence under section 24 (1) (a) ; or\n- (ii) a decision of the chief executive under section 24 (1) (b) ; or","sortOrder":102},{"sectionNumber":"sec.83","sectionType":"section","heading":"Application for review by QCAT","content":"### sec.83 Application for review by QCAT\n\nAn applicant for a licence or a licensee may apply, as provided under the QCAT Act , to QCAT for a review of a reviewable decision.\ns 83 sub 2009 No. 24 s 602","sortOrder":103},{"sectionNumber":"sec.84","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sec.84\n\ns 84 om 2009 No. 24 s 602","sortOrder":104},{"sectionNumber":"sec.85","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sec.85\n\ns 85 om 2009 No. 24 s 602","sortOrder":105},{"sectionNumber":"sec.86","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sec.86\n\ns 86 om 2009 No. 24 s 602","sortOrder":106},{"sectionNumber":"sec.87","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sec.87\n\ns 87 om 2009 No. 24 s 602","sortOrder":107},{"sectionNumber":"pt.8","sectionType":"part","heading":"Miscellaneous","content":"# Miscellaneous","sortOrder":108},{"sectionNumber":"pt.8-div.1","sectionType":"division","heading":"Undertakings","content":"## Undertakings","sortOrder":109},{"sectionNumber":"sec.88","sectionType":"section","heading":"Undertakings about contravention of Act","content":"### sec.88 Undertakings about contravention of Act\n\nThis section applies if the chief executive reasonably believes an introduction agent has contravened this Act.\nThe chief executive may, by notice given to the agent—\nstate the act or omission the chief executive reasonably believes is the contravention; and\nask the agent to give the chief executive a written undertaking that the agent will not continue or repeat the act or omission.\nSubsection (4) applies if—\nthe agent gives the undertaking; and\nthe contravention is conduct consisting of an act or omission, or a series of acts or omissions; and\nthe agent stops the conduct; and\nthe chief executive accepts the undertaking.\nThe chief executive can not start a proceeding for an offence against the agent for the contravention, unless the chief executive withdraws the undertaking under section 89 .\n(sec.88-ssec.1) This section applies if the chief executive reasonably believes an introduction agent has contravened this Act.\n(sec.88-ssec.2) The chief executive may, by notice given to the agent— state the act or omission the chief executive reasonably believes is the contravention; and ask the agent to give the chief executive a written undertaking that the agent will not continue or repeat the act or omission.\n(sec.88-ssec.3) Subsection (4) applies if— the agent gives the undertaking; and the contravention is conduct consisting of an act or omission, or a series of acts or omissions; and the agent stops the conduct; and the chief executive accepts the undertaking.\n(sec.88-ssec.4) The chief executive can not start a proceeding for an offence against the agent for the contravention, unless the chief executive withdraws the undertaking under section 89 .\n- (a) state the act or omission the chief executive reasonably believes is the contravention; and\n- (b) ask the agent to give the chief executive a written undertaking that the agent will not continue or repeat the act or omission.\n- (a) the agent gives the undertaking; and\n- (b) the contravention is conduct consisting of an act or omission, or a series of acts or omissions; and\n- (c) the agent stops the conduct; and\n- (d) the chief executive accepts the undertaking.","sortOrder":110},{"sectionNumber":"sec.89","sectionType":"section","heading":"Variation and withdrawal of undertakings","content":"### sec.89 Variation and withdrawal of undertakings\n\nAn undertaking given by an introduction agent and accepted by the chief executive may be varied or withdrawn at any time by—\nthe agent who gave it, but only if the chief executive agrees to the variation or withdrawal; or\nthe chief executive, if the chief executive reasonably believes that before it was accepted—\nthe agent who gave it contravened this Act in a way unknown to the chief executive; and\nhad the chief executive known about the contravention, the chief executive would not have accepted the undertaking, or would not have accepted it unless its terms were changed.\nThe chief executive may also withdraw the undertaking if the chief executive reasonably believes it is no longer necessary.\nIf the chief executive varies or withdraws the undertaking, the chief executive must give the agent who gave it notice of its variation or withdrawal.\nA court may not hear or decide any charge brought against the agent in relation to the act or omission identified in the undertaking unless the agent has contravened the undertaking, or the undertaking has been withdrawn.\nThis section does not prevent a person from bringing a civil action against the agent in relation to the act or omission.\n(sec.89-ssec.1) An undertaking given by an introduction agent and accepted by the chief executive may be varied or withdrawn at any time by— the agent who gave it, but only if the chief executive agrees to the variation or withdrawal; or the chief executive, if the chief executive reasonably believes that before it was accepted— the agent who gave it contravened this Act in a way unknown to the chief executive; and had the chief executive known about the contravention, the chief executive would not have accepted the undertaking, or would not have accepted it unless its terms were changed.\n(sec.89-ssec.2) The chief executive may also withdraw the undertaking if the chief executive reasonably believes it is no longer necessary.\n(sec.89-ssec.3) If the chief executive varies or withdraws the undertaking, the chief executive must give the agent who gave it notice of its variation or withdrawal.\n(sec.89-ssec.4) A court may not hear or decide any charge brought against the agent in relation to the act or omission identified in the undertaking unless the agent has contravened the undertaking, or the undertaking has been withdrawn.\n(sec.89-ssec.5) This section does not prevent a person from bringing a civil action against the agent in relation to the act or omission.\n- (a) the agent who gave it, but only if the chief executive agrees to the variation or withdrawal; or\n- (b) the chief executive, if the chief executive reasonably believes that before it was accepted— (i) the agent who gave it contravened this Act in a way unknown to the chief executive; and (ii) had the chief executive known about the contravention, the chief executive would not have accepted the undertaking, or would not have accepted it unless its terms were changed.\n- (i) the agent who gave it contravened this Act in a way unknown to the chief executive; and\n- (ii) had the chief executive known about the contravention, the chief executive would not have accepted the undertaking, or would not have accepted it unless its terms were changed.\n- (i) the agent who gave it contravened this Act in a way unknown to the chief executive; and\n- (ii) had the chief executive known about the contravention, the chief executive would not have accepted the undertaking, or would not have accepted it unless its terms were changed.","sortOrder":111},{"sectionNumber":"sec.89A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Enforcement of undertakings","content":"### sec.89A Enforcement of undertakings\n\nIf the chief executive believes, on reasonable grounds, a person has contravened a term of an undertaking given under section 88 , the chief executive may apply to the District Court for an order under this section.\nIf the court is satisfied that the person has contravened the term, the court may make 1 or more of the following orders—\nan order directing the person to comply with the term;\nan order directing the person to pay to the State an amount not more than the direct or indirect financial benefit obtained by the person from, and reasonably attributable to, the contravention;\nan order directing the person to pay compensation to someone else who has suffered loss or damage because of the contravention;\nan order directing the person to give a security bond to the State for a stated period;\nanother order the court considers appropriate.\nThe District Court may order the forfeiture to the State of all or part of a security bond given by a person under subsection (2) (d) if—\nthe chief executive applies to the court for the order; and\nthe court is satisfied that the person contravened the undertaking during the period for which the bond was given.\ns 89A ins 2004 No. 14 s 2 sch\n(sec.89A-ssec.1) If the chief executive believes, on reasonable grounds, a person has contravened a term of an undertaking given under section 88 , the chief executive may apply to the District Court for an order under this section.\n(sec.89A-ssec.2) If the court is satisfied that the person has contravened the term, the court may make 1 or more of the following orders— an order directing the person to comply with the term; an order directing the person to pay to the State an amount not more than the direct or indirect financial benefit obtained by the person from, and reasonably attributable to, the contravention; an order directing the person to pay compensation to someone else who has suffered loss or damage because of the contravention; an order directing the person to give a security bond to the State for a stated period; another order the court considers appropriate.\n(sec.89A-ssec.3) The District Court may order the forfeiture to the State of all or part of a security bond given by a person under subsection (2) (d) if— the chief executive applies to the court for the order; and the court is satisfied that the person contravened the undertaking during the period for which the bond was given.\n- (a) an order directing the person to comply with the term;\n- (b) an order directing the person to pay to the State an amount not more than the direct or indirect financial benefit obtained by the person from, and reasonably attributable to, the contravention;\n- (c) an order directing the person to pay compensation to someone else who has suffered loss or damage because of the contravention;\n- (d) an order directing the person to give a security bond to the State for a stated period;\n- (e) another order the court considers appropriate.\n- (a) the chief executive applies to the court for the order; and\n- (b) the court is satisfied that the person contravened the undertaking during the period for which the bond was given.","sortOrder":112},{"sectionNumber":"sec.89B","sectionType":"section","heading":"Register of undertakings","content":"### sec.89B Register of undertakings\n\nThe chief executive must keep a register of each undertaking given under section 88 .\nThe register must contain a copy of the undertaking.\nThe register may be kept in any way that the chief executive considers appropriate.\nA person may, on payment of any fee that may be prescribed under a regulation, inspect, or get a copy of details in, the register—\nat a place or places decided by the chief executive; or\nby using a computer.\nA person may pay the fee, in advance or in arrears, under an arrangement approved by the chief executive.\ns 89B ins 2004 No. 14 s 2 sch\n(sec.89B-ssec.1) The chief executive must keep a register of each undertaking given under section 88 .\n(sec.89B-ssec.2) The register must contain a copy of the undertaking.\n(sec.89B-ssec.3) The register may be kept in any way that the chief executive considers appropriate.\n(sec.89B-ssec.4) A person may, on payment of any fee that may be prescribed under a regulation, inspect, or get a copy of details in, the register— at a place or places decided by the chief executive; or by using a computer.\n(sec.89B-ssec.5) A person may pay the fee, in advance or in arrears, under an arrangement approved by the chief executive.\n- (a) at a place or places decided by the chief executive; or\n- (b) by using a computer.","sortOrder":113},{"sectionNumber":"pt.8-div.2","sectionType":"division","heading":"General provisions about offences","content":"## General provisions about offences","sortOrder":114},{"sectionNumber":"sec.90","sectionType":"section","heading":"Proceeding for offence","content":"### sec.90 Proceeding for offence\n\nA proceeding for an offence against this Act must be taken in a summary way under the Justices Act 1886 .\nA proceeding may be started within—\n1 year after the offence is committed; or\n1 year after the offence comes to the complainant’s knowledge, but within 2 years after the offence is committed.\n(sec.90-ssec.1) A proceeding for an offence against this Act must be taken in a summary way under the Justices Act 1886 .\n(sec.90-ssec.2) A proceeding may be started within— 1 year after the offence is committed; or 1 year after the offence comes to the complainant’s knowledge, but within 2 years after the offence is committed.\n- (a) 1 year after the offence is committed; or\n- (b) 1 year after the offence comes to the complainant’s knowledge, but within 2 years after the offence is committed.","sortOrder":115},{"sectionNumber":"sec.91","sectionType":"section","heading":"Evidence","content":"### sec.91 Evidence\n\nThis section applies to a proceeding under this Act.\nA signature purporting to be the signature of the chief executive is evidence of the signature it purports to be.\nA certificate purporting to be signed by the chief executive and stating any of the following matters is evidence of the matter—\nthat a specified document is a licence or copy of a licence granted under this Act;\nthat on a specified day, or during a specified period, a specified person was or was not a licensee;\nthat a licence—\nwas or was not granted for a specified term; or\nwas or was not in force on a specified day or during a specified period; or\nwas or was not subject to conditions or a specified condition;\nthat a document is a copy of a record kept under this Act.\ns 91 amd 2014 No. 8 s 125\n(sec.91-ssec.1) This section applies to a proceeding under this Act.\n(sec.91-ssec.2) A signature purporting to be the signature of the chief executive is evidence of the signature it purports to be.\n(sec.91-ssec.3) A certificate purporting to be signed by the chief executive and stating any of the following matters is evidence of the matter— that a specified document is a licence or copy of a licence granted under this Act; that on a specified day, or during a specified period, a specified person was or was not a licensee; that a licence— was or was not granted for a specified term; or was or was not in force on a specified day or during a specified period; or was or was not subject to conditions or a specified condition; that a document is a copy of a record kept under this Act.\n- (a) that a specified document is a licence or copy of a licence granted under this Act;\n- (b) that on a specified day, or during a specified period, a specified person was or was not a licensee;\n- (c) that a licence— (i) was or was not granted for a specified term; or (ii) was or was not in force on a specified day or during a specified period; or (iii) was or was not subject to conditions or a specified condition;\n- (i) was or was not granted for a specified term; or\n- (ii) was or was not in force on a specified day or during a specified period; or\n- (iii) was or was not subject to conditions or a specified condition;\n- (d) that a document is a copy of a record kept under this Act.\n- (i) was or was not granted for a specified term; or\n- (ii) was or was not in force on a specified day or during a specified period; or\n- (iii) was or was not subject to conditions or a specified condition;","sortOrder":116},{"sectionNumber":"sec.92","sectionType":"section","heading":"Additional powers of court","content":"### sec.92 Additional powers of court\n\nThis section applies if a court finds a person guilty of an offence against this Act.\nThe court may make any of the following orders—\nan order that the chief executive suspend or cancel the person’s licence;\nan order that the person not be in any way involved in the operation of the business of any introduction agent;\nan order that the person refund within 28 days an amount, or part of an amount, paid to the person by a client or someone else.\nSubsection (2) is in addition to any other order the court may make.\n(sec.92-ssec.1) This section applies if a court finds a person guilty of an offence against this Act.\n(sec.92-ssec.2) The court may make any of the following orders— an order that the chief executive suspend or cancel the person’s licence; an order that the person not be in any way involved in the operation of the business of any introduction agent; an order that the person refund within 28 days an amount, or part of an amount, paid to the person by a client or someone else.\n(sec.92-ssec.3) Subsection (2) is in addition to any other order the court may make.\n- (a) an order that the chief executive suspend or cancel the person’s licence;\n- (b) an order that the person not be in any way involved in the operation of the business of any introduction agent;\n- (c) an order that the person refund within 28 days an amount, or part of an amount, paid to the person by a client or someone else.","sortOrder":117},{"sectionNumber":"sec.93","sectionType":"section","heading":"Corporation taken to have knowledge of its officers","content":"### sec.93 Corporation taken to have knowledge of its officers\n\nFor this Act, a corporation has the knowledge and intent of any of its officers who is acting, or purporting to act, in the course of his or her duties with the corporation.","sortOrder":118},{"sectionNumber":"sec.94","sectionType":"section","heading":"Executive officers must ensure corporation complies with Act","content":"### sec.94 Executive officers must ensure corporation complies with Act\n\ns 94 om 2013 No. 51 s 77","sortOrder":119},{"sectionNumber":"pt.8-div.3","sectionType":"division","heading":"Other general provisions","content":"## Other general provisions","sortOrder":120},{"sectionNumber":"sec.94A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Service by fax","content":"### sec.94A Service by fax\n\nIf a document is sent by fax, it is taken to be received by the person to whom it is sent if the sender’s fax machine indicates that transmission has been successful, unless the contrary is proved.\ns 94A ins 2003 No. 94 s 58","sortOrder":121},{"sectionNumber":"sec.95","sectionType":"section","heading":"Confidentiality of information","content":"### sec.95 Confidentiality of information\n\nA person must not disclose information gained by the person in the administration of this Act.\nMaximum penalty—50 penalty units.\nSubsection (1) does not apply to a disclosure of information—\nwith the consent of the person from whom the information was obtained; or\nin the administration of this Act; or\nto the commissioner; or\nwith the approval of the chief executive, to a person administering a corresponding law; or\nin a proceeding under this Act or a report of the proceeding; or\nin a proceeding before a court in which the information is relevant to the issue before the court.\nThis section does not limit the Right to Information Act 2009 .\ns 95 amd 2009 No. 13 s 213 sch 5 ; 2023 No. 32 s 141 s ch 1 pt 2\n(sec.95-ssec.1) A person must not disclose information gained by the person in the administration of this Act. Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.\n(sec.95-ssec.2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a disclosure of information— with the consent of the person from whom the information was obtained; or in the administration of this Act; or to the commissioner; or with the approval of the chief executive, to a person administering a corresponding law; or in a proceeding under this Act or a report of the proceeding; or in a proceeding before a court in which the information is relevant to the issue before the court.\n(sec.95-ssec.3) This section does not limit the Right to Information Act 2009 .\n- (a) with the consent of the person from whom the information was obtained; or\n- (b) in the administration of this Act; or\n- (c) to the commissioner; or\n- (d) with the approval of the chief executive, to a person administering a corresponding law; or\n- (e) in a proceeding under this Act or a report of the proceeding; or\n- (f) in a proceeding before a court in which the information is relevant to the issue before the court.","sortOrder":122},{"sectionNumber":"sec.96","sectionType":"section","heading":"Protecting officials from liability","content":"### sec.96 Protecting officials from liability\n\nAn official is not civilly liable for any disclosure or publication made in the public interest by the official about the commercial or business reputation of any person involved in providing an introduction service.\nWithout limiting subsection (1) , an official is not civilly liable for an act done, or omission made, honestly and without negligence under this Act.\nIf subsection (2) prevents a civil liability attaching to an official, the liability attaches instead to the State.\nIn this section—\nofficial means—\nthe Minister; or\nthe chief executive; or\nthe commissioner of fair trading; or\na public service employee.\ns 96 amd 2006 No. 10 s 89 sch 2 ; 2014 No. 8 s 126\n(sec.96-ssec.1) An official is not civilly liable for any disclosure or publication made in the public interest by the official about the commercial or business reputation of any person involved in providing an introduction service.\n(sec.96-ssec.2) Without limiting subsection (1) , an official is not civilly liable for an act done, or omission made, honestly and without negligence under this Act.\n(sec.96-ssec.3) If subsection (2) prevents a civil liability attaching to an official, the liability attaches instead to the State.\n(sec.96-ssec.4) In this section— official means— the Minister; or the chief executive; or the commissioner of fair trading; or a public service employee.\n- (a) the Minister; or\n- (b) the chief executive; or\n- (c) the commissioner of fair trading; or\n- (d) a public service employee.","sortOrder":123},{"sectionNumber":"sec.97","sectionType":"section","heading":"Delegation by chief executive","content":"### sec.97 Delegation by chief executive\n\nThe chief executive may delegate the chief executive’s powers under this Act to an appropriately qualified public service employee.\nIn this section—\nappropriately qualified includes having the qualifications, experience or standing appropriate to the exercise of the power.\na person’s classification level in the public service\ns 97 amd 2006 No. 10 s 89 sch 2\n(sec.97-ssec.1) The chief executive may delegate the chief executive’s powers under this Act to an appropriately qualified public service employee.\n(sec.97-ssec.2) In this section— appropriately qualified includes having the qualifications, experience or standing appropriate to the exercise of the power. a person’s classification level in the public service","sortOrder":124},{"sectionNumber":"sec.98","sectionType":"section","heading":"Approved forms","content":"### sec.98 Approved forms\n\nThe chief executive may approve forms for use under this Act.","sortOrder":125},{"sectionNumber":"sec.99","sectionType":"section","heading":"Regulation-making power","content":"### sec.99 Regulation-making power\n\nThe Governor in Council may make regulations under this Act.\nA regulation may be made about any of the following matters—\nfees, including the refunding of fees;\nthe keeping of records by introduction agents;\nthe form and content of advertisements used by introduction agents.\nA regulation may provide for a maximum penalty of not more than 20 penalty units for a contravention of a regulation.\nFor further provisions about the power to make regulations, see the Statutory Instruments Act 1992 , part 4 . Under that Act, section 22 (2) and (3) , subsection (1) of this section is not limited by subsection (2) .\n(sec.99-ssec.1) The Governor in Council may make regulations under this Act.\n(sec.99-ssec.2) A regulation may be made about any of the following matters— fees, including the refunding of fees; the keeping of records by introduction agents; the form and content of advertisements used by introduction agents.\n(sec.99-ssec.3) A regulation may provide for a maximum penalty of not more than 20 penalty units for a contravention of a regulation. For further provisions about the power to make regulations, see the Statutory Instruments Act 1992 , part 4 . Under that Act, section 22 (2) and (3) , subsection (1) of this section is not limited by subsection (2) .\n- (a) fees, including the refunding of fees;\n- (b) the keeping of records by introduction agents;\n- (c) the form and content of advertisements used by introduction agents.","sortOrder":126},{"sectionNumber":"pt.9","sectionType":"part","heading":"Transitional provisions","content":"# Transitional provisions","sortOrder":127},{"sectionNumber":"pt.9-div.1","sectionType":"division","heading":"Transitional provisions for Act No. 59 of 2001","content":"## Transitional provisions for Act No. 59 of 2001","sortOrder":128},{"sectionNumber":"sec.100","sectionType":"section","heading":"Requirement to be licensed","content":"### sec.100 Requirement to be licensed\n\nThis section applies if, immediately before the commencement of this section, a person carries on the business of an introduction agent.\nPart 3 does not apply to the person until the end of 6 months after the commencement of this section.\n(sec.100-ssec.1) This section applies if, immediately before the commencement of this section, a person carries on the business of an introduction agent.\n(sec.100-ssec.2) Part 3 does not apply to the person until the end of 6 months after the commencement of this section.","sortOrder":129},{"sectionNumber":"sec.101","sectionType":"section","heading":"Existing introduction agreements","content":"### sec.101 Existing introduction agreements\n\nSection 39 and part 5 do not apply to an introduction agreement entered into before the commencement of this section.\nHowever, part 5 applies to an agreement entered into on or after the commencement of this section that purports to extend an introduction agreement entered into before the commencement of this section.\n(sec.101-ssec.1) Section 39 and part 5 do not apply to an introduction agreement entered into before the commencement of this section.\n(sec.101-ssec.2) However, part 5 applies to an agreement entered into on or after the commencement of this section that purports to extend an introduction agreement entered into before the commencement of this section.","sortOrder":130},{"sectionNumber":"sec.102","sectionType":"section","heading":"Existing employees under 18","content":"### sec.102 Existing employees under 18\n\nSection 38 does not apply to an employee of an introduction agent if the employee’s employment with the agent started before the commencement of this section.","sortOrder":131},{"sectionNumber":"pt.9-div.2","sectionType":"division","heading":"Transitional provision for Justice and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2020","content":"## Transitional provision for Justice and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2020","sortOrder":132},{"sectionNumber":"sec.103","sectionType":"section","heading":"Existing applications","content":"### sec.103 Existing applications\n\nThis section applies in relation to the following applications made, but not decided, before the commencement—\nan application for a licence made under section 19;\nan application for the renewal of a licence made under section 25.\nThe chief executive must decide the application under part 3 as in force from the commencement.\ns 103 ins 2020 No. 15 s 85\n(sec.103-ssec.1) This section applies in relation to the following applications made, but not decided, before the commencement— an application for a licence made under section 19; an application for the renewal of a licence made under section 25.\n(sec.103-ssec.2) The chief executive must decide the application under part 3 as in force from the commencement.\n- (a) an application for a licence made under section 19;\n- (b) an application for the renewal of a licence made under section 25.","sortOrder":133},{"sectionNumber":"sch.1-pt.1","sectionType":"part","heading":"Existing provisions","content":"# Existing provisions","sortOrder":134},{"sectionNumber":"sch.1-sec","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"### Section sch.1-sec\n\nChapter 16 (Offences relating to the administration of justice)\nChapter 20 (Miscellaneous offences against public authority)\nChapter 22 (Offences against morality)\nChapter 28 (Homicide—suicide—concealment of birth)\nChapter 28A (Unlawful striking causing death)\nChapter 29 (Offences endangering life or health)\nChapter 30 (Assaults)\nChapter 32 (Rape and sexual assaults)\nChapter 33 (Offences against liberty)\nChapter 33A (Unlawful stalking, intimidation, harassment or abuse)\nChapter 36 (Stealing)\nChapter 37 (Offences analogous to stealing)\nChapter 38 (Stealing with violence—extortion by threats)\nChapter 39 (Burglary—housebreaking—and like offences)\nChapter 40 (Other fraudulent practices)\nChapter 41 (Receiving property stolen or fraudulently obtained and like offences)\nChapter 42 (Frauds by trustees and officers of companies and corporations—false accounting)\nChapter 42A (Secret commissions)\nChapter 49 (Punishment of forgery and like offences)\nChapter 52 (Personation)\nChapter 56 (Conspiracy)\nSection 408C (Fraud)\n(sch.1-sec-ssec.1) Chapter 16 (Offences relating to the administration of justice)\n(sch.1-sec-ssec.2) Chapter 20 (Miscellaneous offences against public authority)\n(sch.1-sec-ssec.3) Chapter 22 (Offences against morality)\n(sch.1-sec-ssec.4) Chapter 28 (Homicide—suicide—concealment of birth)\n(sch.1-sec-ssec.5) Chapter 28A (Unlawful striking causing death)\n(sch.1-sec-ssec.6) Chapter 29 (Offences endangering life or health)\n(sch.1-sec-ssec.7) Chapter 30 (Assaults)\n(sch.1-sec-ssec.8) Chapter 32 (Rape and sexual assaults)\n(sch.1-sec-ssec.9) Chapter 33 (Offences against liberty)\n(sch.1-sec-ssec.10) Chapter 33A (Unlawful stalking, intimidation, harassment or abuse)\n(sch.1-sec-ssec.11) Chapter 36 (Stealing)\n(sch.1-sec-ssec.12) Chapter 37 (Offences analogous to stealing)\n(sch.1-sec-ssec.13) Chapter 38 (Stealing with violence—extortion by threats)\n(sch.1-sec-ssec.14) Chapter 39 (Burglary—housebreaking—and like offences)\n(sch.1-sec-ssec.15) Chapter 40 (Other fraudulent practices)\n(sch.1-sec-ssec.16) Chapter 41 (Receiving property stolen or fraudulently obtained and like offences)\n(sch.1-sec-ssec.17) Chapter 42 (Frauds by trustees and officers of companies and corporations—false accounting)\n(sch.1-sec-ssec.18) Chapter 42A (Secret commissions)\n(sch.1-sec-ssec.19) Chapter 49 (Punishment of forgery and like offences)\n(sch.1-sec-ssec.20) Chapter 52 (Personation)\n(sch.1-sec-ssec.21) Chapter 56 (Conspiracy)\n(sch.1-sec-ssec.22) Section 408C (Fraud)","sortOrder":135},{"sectionNumber":"sch.1-pt.2","sectionType":"part","heading":"Repealed provisions","content":"# Repealed provisions","sortOrder":136},{"sectionNumber":"sch.1-sec-oc.2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Note—","content":"### sch.1-sec-oc.2 Note—\n\nSection 343A (Assaults occasioning bodily harm)\nSection 344 (Aggravated assaults)\nSection 427 (Obtaining goods or credit by false pretence or wilfully false promise)\nThe headings shown in this schedule for the provisions are the headings for the provisions that are current as at 31 March 2001.\n(sch.1-sec-oc.2-ssec.1) Section 343A (Assaults occasioning bodily harm)\n(sch.1-sec-oc.2-ssec.2) Section 344 (Aggravated assaults)\n(sch.1-sec-oc.2-ssec.3) Section 427 (Obtaining goods or credit by false pretence or wilfully false promise) The headings shown in this schedule for the provisions are the headings for the provisions that are current as at 31 March 2001.","sortOrder":137}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"_metrics":{"completionTokens":622},"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation appears consistent with its original purpose as stated in section 3: establishing a licensing system for introduction agents, setting minimum standards, improving consumer information, and promoting sound business practices. The various exclusions (community groups, publishers, etc.) were likely part of the original design to target commercial matchmaking services rather than incidental social activities."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple nested definitions ('associated person', 'effective control', 'introduction service', 'introduction agreement') with cross-references","Numerous exceptions and carve-outs in sections 11–17 determining who is NOT an introduction agent","Detailed procedural requirements for licence applications, renewals, suspensions and cancellations with specific timeframes","Complex payment and refund rules in Part 5 with multiple conditions, thresholds ($500/$2,500) and cascading consequences","Interaction with other legislation (Fair Trading Act, Australian Consumer Law, Fair Trading Inspectors Act, Corporations Act, Criminal Code)","Extensive amendment history with sections omitted and substituted over time"],"plain_english_summary":"This Queensland law regulates **introduction agencies** — businesses that introduce people to each other for personal relationships or social outings (essentially dating or matchmaking services).\n\n**What it does:**\n- **Licensing system**: Requires anyone running an introduction agency to hold a licence from the chief executive (a government official). Licences last 1–3 years and must be renewed.\n- **Who can get a licence**: Individuals, groups or corporations can apply, but must pass a \"fit and proper person\" test. People under 18, bankrupts, those with certain criminal convictions, or anyone banned by a court are disqualified.\n- **Consumer protections**: \n  - Clients must receive a detailed written disclosure statement before signing any contract\n  - Contracts must be clear, in writing, and include specific information like pricing, refund policies and complaint procedures\n  - There's a **3-day cooling-off period** where clients can cancel and get most of their money back\n  - Limits on how much can be paid upfront (prepayment limits)\n  - Clients can end contracts if the business makes false representations about available matches or database size\n- **Privacy rules**: Personal information must be protected and only used for the introduction service\n- **Business restrictions**: Can't operate from premises used for sex work; employees must be over 18; can't employ minors in client-facing roles\n\n**Who it doesn't cover:**\n- Community groups (charities, sporting clubs)\n- Non-profit activities\n- Newspapers, magazines or broadcasters publishing personal ads\n- Online information services where users don't interact with staff\n- Organisers of public social events\n- Sex work providers\n\n**Enforcement:** The chief executive can suspend or cancel licences, accept undertakings (promises to stop certain conduct), and inspectors have powers under the Fair Trading Inspectors Act 2014. Courts can order refunds and ban people from the industry."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Act’s scope, as set out in the text, is consistent with its stated purpose (s3): it establishes a licensing and regulatory framework for introduction agents, specifies exemptions, sets consumer-protection requirements for agreements and payments, and provides enforcement and review mechanisms. The text contains no internal indication that the statutory scope has been expanded or narrowed from that stated purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Large number of cross-referenced sections creating interdependent procedural steps (licensing, suspension, undertakings, court applications) (s19, s24, s27, s88–89A)","Multiple conditional exemptions and definitions that change applicability (community purpose, information providers, publishers, organisers) (s11–16)","Administrative discretion concentrated in the chief executive with multiple decision points and onus-shifting evidentiary rules in prosecutions (s20, s24, s27, s35)","Detailed consumer-protection rules tied to numeric thresholds and time windows (prepayment thresholds, cooling-off period, refund timeframes) (s49, s54, s58–59)","Record-keeping, confidentiality and privacy obligations with transfer rules on change of ownership and a 7-year retention requirement (s36, s42)","Multiple enforcement routes (summary offences, Magistrates Court for compensation, District Court for undertaking enforcement, QCAT review) (s90, s48, s89A, pt.7)","Penalty regime uses multiple penalty-unit amounts and different maximums for different breaches, increasing compliance risk management complexity (numerous sections)"],"plain_english_summary":"# What this law does\n\nThis Act creates a regulated industry for businesses that introduce people to each other for personal relationships or social outings (\"introduction agents\"). It sets out who must hold a licence, how licences are obtained, what licensed businesses must do, what they must not do, and how compliance is enforced (see particularly pt.3, pt.4 and pt.5).\n\nKey mechanical changes and rules\n\n- Licensing: Anyone carrying on the business of an introduction agent must hold a licence (s18). Applications are made to the chief executive in an approved form and must name associated persons; an application fee and, where required, the cost of criminal-history checks must be paid (s19, s23A). The chief executive decides whether an applicant is \"suitable\" (s20) and may grant a licence with conditions, refuse it, or impose conditions later (s24, s26, s27). Certain decisions may be reviewed by QCAT (pt.7, s82–83).\n\n- Entry and suitability checks: The chief executive may inquire into an applicant’s criminal history and request written reports from the crime commissioner (s23). The Act lists disqualifying criteria for individuals and corporations (under-18, insolvency, recent convictions, court orders) (s21–22). The chief executive may require applicants to pay the actual reasonable cost of obtaining criminal-history reports (s23A).\n\n- Consumer-facing documentation and disclosure: Before entering a contract an agent must give a written pre-contractual disclosure statement describing services, prices, refund and complaint procedures and other prescribed matters; the client must acknowledge receipt in writing (s43). Introduction agreements must be written, signed, include the licence number and specified wording and information, and must not be back-dated (s44). A copy of the signed agreement must be given to the client immediately (s45).\n\n- Payment limits and timing: For higher-value agreements the Act limits how much may be taken before any service is provided (prepayment limits) and requires the balance (after an initial permitted payment) to be payable at the end of the term or in equal instalments over the term (s49, s54). Clients have a statutory 3-business-day cooling-off right after receiving the signed agreement and are entitled to specified refunds and a cap on the agent’s entitlement for that short period (s58–59).\n\n- Consumer remedies and voidability: If pre-contractual disclosure or agreement requirements are not met, the client may end the agreement and is entitled to refunds; the Act sets timeframes for refunds and allows agents to apply to a Magistrates Court for compensation for services already provided (s46–48, s50–52). Parties may agree a different refund amount within specified timeframes (s53).\n\n- Conduct and privacy rules: The Act prohibits false representations about availability of people or size/composition of databases (s34–35). It restricts access to and use of personal information collected from clients to specified purposes and lists who may have access; records must be kept for 7 years and transfer rules apply on a change of business ownership (s36, s42). There are also limits on premises usage (agents cannot operate from premises where sex work occurs) and age restrictions for employees and clients (s37–39).\n\n- Supervision, enforcement and discretionary tools: The chief executive has powers to accept undertakings from agents, keep a register of undertakings, vary or withdraw undertakings, and apply to courts to enforce them (s88–89A, s89B). Criminal and civil proceedings for offences are summary proceedings with statutory limitation periods and penalty units set in the Act for many contraventions (s90, various penalty clauses). Courts may order suspensions, bans on involvement in the industry and refunds on conviction (s92).\n\nWhy this matters (official purpose and practical trade-offs)\n\n- Official purpose: The Act expressly aims to promote fair trading in the introduction agency industry by creating a licensing system, excluding unsuitable people, setting minimum business standards, improving consumer information and promoting sound business practices (s3).\n\n- Costs and incentives: The licensing and disclosure regime creates direct compliance costs for businesses (application and renewal fees, criminal-history report costs, record-keeping for 7 years, conspicuous licence display, mandatory written agreements and disclosures) and ongoing operational constraints (payment timing rules, refund obligations, limits on who can be involved). These are borne primarily by introduction agents and prospective agents (s19, s23A, s42, s32A, s43–45, s49, s54).\n\n- Market effects and entry barriers: Licensing, disqualifying criteria (s21–22) and on-going administrative oversight (chief executive’s inquiries, conditions, suspensions—s23, s26–27) create regulatory barriers to entry and ongoing costs that may reduce the number of providers or change business models. The Act preserves certain non-commercial activities and publishing/information services from being treated as introduction agents (s11–15), leaving space for community, media and automated information services.\n\n- Consumer protection vs. contractual freedom: The Act limits contract terms that seek to oust statutory protections (s57), mandates detailed disclosures (s43–44) and provides cooling-off and refund mechanisms (s46–59). Those protections reduce some contractual freedom in favour of standardised consumer safeguards; the Act also allows negotiated settlements on refunds in a limited window (s53).\n\n- Administrative discretion and implementation risk: The chief executive has broad decision-making powers (licensing, conditions, undertaking acceptance, requiring reports) with formal procedures for notice and review (s19, s24, s27, s88). Discretion is accompanied by procedural safeguards (show-cause notices, QCAT review for reviewable decisions—pt.7), but the regime depends on administrative resourcing (cost recovery for criminal-history reports, register maintenance, enforcement action) (s23A, s89B).\n\nWho pays, who decides, and what changes in behaviour\n\n- Who pays: applicants and licensees pay application and renewal fees and may pay criminal-history report costs (s19, s23A); clients pay for services but have protections limiting prepayments and entitlements to refunds (s49–54); the State bears enforcement and regulatory administration costs but may recover some costs via fines and court orders (s89A, s92).\n\n- Who decides: the chief executive is the primary decision-maker for licensing, conditions, inquiries and undertakings; courts decide enforcement and compensation in disputes and criminal matters; QCAT can review certain administrative decisions (s19, s24, s27, s82–83, s89A).\n\n- Behavioural changes required: businesses must obtain licences, adopt prescribed disclosure and agreement formats, limit prepayments and structure payment timing as required, implement privacy and record-keeping systems, refuse to employ under-18s in certain roles, and avoid certain premises-sharing arrangements. Clients gain statutory rights to end agreements, refunds and cooling-off periods (s18, s43–45, s49–59, s36, s38–39, s37).\n\nImplementation and compliance risks to note\n\n- Administrative burden for the regulator and industry (criminal-history checks, registers, refunds handling) (s23, s23A, s89B).\n- Legal exposure for agents who fail to comply with detailed disclosure, payment and privacy rules; several offences carry significant penalty units and courts can order suspension/cancellation and refunds (s43–45, s49–54, s36, s92).\n- Potential substitution effects: the exemptions for information providers, publishers and community activities (s11–15) may encourage business models that avoid licensing by operating as automated information services or publishers, subject to the conditions in those sections.\n\nSource citations: relevant provisions are cited throughout (for example, purposes (s3); licensing and applications (s18–25); grounds and procedure for conditions/suspension/cancellation (s26–27); disclosure and agreement requirements and client remedies (pt.5, s43–59); privacy and record-keeping (s36, s42); undertakings and enforcement (s88–89A); external review (pt.7, s82–83))."},"summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Act's stated purpose focuses on fair trading and consumer protection in the introduction agency industry, but its scope was meaningfully expanded through amendments. Key additions include: the relationship with the Fair Trading Inspectors Act 2014 (giving inspectors broader powers under a unified framework), enhanced licensing provisions for criminal history checks and confidentiality (added in 2008), mandatory licence display requirements including in digital communications like SMS and internet (added in 2003), and updates tracking changes in sex work terminology (amended 2024). The practical effect is that the Act evolved from a standalone industry regulator into part of a broader Queensland fair trading enforcement ecosystem, applying to a wider range of modern communication channels than originally contemplated."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple interacting regulatory regimes — the Act cross-references the Fair Trading Act 1989, Australian Consumer Law (Queensland), Fair Trading Inspectors Act 2014, and Corporations Act","Detailed licensing framework with distinct criteria for individuals vs corporations, and separate assessment of 'associated persons' (people who effectively control the business without being the licensee)","Layered exclusions from the definition of 'introduction agent' requiring careful analysis to determine who is actually caught by the Act","Complex contract voidability and refund provisions, including court applications for compensation, with multiple conditional pathways and time limits","Prepayment limit regime requiring cross-reference to regulations for the specific percentages/amounts","Criminal history handling provisions with confidentiality obligations and destruction requirements adding procedural complexity","Reverse onus provisions in prosecution sections (agent must prove representations were not false)","Show cause procedure for licence suspension/cancellation with multiple possible outcomes beyond the original proposed action","Some key quantitative thresholds (fee limits, prepayment limits, prescribed statements) deferred to subordinate regulations, creating incomplete picture from the Act alone"],"plain_english_summary":"## Introduction Agents Act 2001 (Queensland)\n\n### What is this law about?\nThis Queensland law regulates **introduction agencies** — businesses that help people meet potential romantic partners or social companions (think dating agencies and matchmaking services). It creates a licensing system, sets rules for how these businesses must operate, and protects consumers who use their services.\n\n### Who does it affect?\n- **Introduction agents/dating agencies**: Any person or business that runs a matchmaking or introduction service for profit in Queensland — including operators based elsewhere who serve Queensland residents\n- **Clients (consumers)**: Anyone who signs up with a dating or introduction agency in Queensland\n- **Employees** of introduction agencies\n- **Exempt parties**: Community/charity groups doing social matchmaking, publishers of personal ads (newspapers, TV), automated information services, organisers of public social events (like speed-dating nights open to anyone), neighbourhood welcome services, and sex work providers\n\n### Key things this law does:\n\n**🪪 Licensing**\n- You cannot run an introduction agency without a licence — penalty up to 200 penalty units (around $30,000+)\n- Licences run for 1, 2 or 3 years and must be renewed\n- The government checks your criminal history and business background before granting a licence\n- You cannot get a licence if you (or your business partners) have been convicted of serious offences, are bankrupt, or are under 18\n\n**📋 Consumer protections before you sign**\n- Before you sign anything, the agency must give you a clear written statement explaining exactly what services they provide, how much they cost, their refund policy, and your rights\n- The contract itself must be written plainly, include an 'Important Notice' warning, and be dated the day *you* sign it (not earlier)\n- You must get a copy of the signed contract immediately\n\n**💰 Money and prepayments**\n- There are limits on how much an agency can charge you *upfront* before actually delivering services (called a 'prepayment limit')\n- If the agency breaks the rules about contracts or disclosure, you can cancel the agreement at any time and get a full refund within 21 days\n\n**🔐 Your personal information**\n- Agencies can only use your personal details to provide the service you signed up for, or with your written consent\n- Your information cannot be sold to third parties without your permission (though it can transfer to a new owner if the business is sold, unless you object)\n\n**⚠️ Honesty rules**\n- Agencies cannot pretend to have more members than they do, show fake profiles, or misrepresent their database size\n- If caught making false representations, they face penalties up to 540 penalty units (around $80,000+)\n\n**👶 Age rules**\n- Agencies cannot sign up clients under 18, and cannot employ anyone under 18 in a client-facing role\n\n**🏢 Other operating rules**\n- Agencies cannot operate from the same premises as sex work businesses\n- Records must be kept for 7 years\n- If you ask in writing to stop receiving the service, your name must be removed from their lists immediately\n- Market research must be disclosed — if someone is gathering your info for an agency, they must tell you upfront\n\n### What happens if the rules are broken?\nThe government (chief executive of the relevant department) can suspend, cancel or refuse to renew a licence. Affected licensees can appeal decisions to QCAT (Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal — Queensland's main appeals body for decisions like these). Clients whose contracts were handled improperly can cancel and sue for refunds in the Magistrates Court."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[{"type":"circular_definition","section":"sec.8(1)(b)","severity":"medium","reasoning":"Section 8(1)(b) defines an introduction agent as someone who 'holds himself, herself or itself out in any way as carrying on the business of an introduction agent.' This is entirely circular — to know whether someone is an introduction agent under this limb, you must already know what an introduction agent is. A fraudster falsely claiming to be an introduction agent would satisfy this limb even though they provide no actual service, potentially triggering all licensing and compliance obligations on the basis of a mere false representation.","confidence":0.92,"description":"Circular definition: a person is an 'introduction agent' if they hold themselves out as carrying on the business of an 'introduction agent'. The definition uses the term being defined as part of its own definition, providing no independent content."},{"type":"impossible_compliance","section":"sec.44(1)(b)(ii) and sec.44(1)(b)(x)","severity":"medium","reasoning":"Section 44(1)(b)(i) requires the licence number to appear 'prominently at the top of the first page', while s44(1)(b)(ii) requires the words 'Important Notice' to appear 'at the beginning of the agreement, before any other words comprising the agreement'. These two requirements are mutually exclusive — only one item can be first. Strict literal compliance with both simultaneously is impossible, leaving agents in a legal no-man's land where they must technically breach one requirement to comply with the other.","confidence":0.88,"description":"Impossible structural compliance: the agreement must place 'Important Notice' in bold 16-point font 'at the beginning of the agreement, before any other words comprising the agreement', but must also state the agent's licence number 'prominently at the top of the first page'. Both cannot simultaneously be the first content on the page."},{"type":"other","section":"sec.27(2)(c)(ii)","severity":"medium","reasoning":"Suspending a licence 'for a period' makes sense — the licence is temporarily inactive. Cancelling a licence 'for a period' is addressed elsewhere. But 'refusing to renew the licence for a period' is conceptually incoherent: a renewal refusal is a decision made at a point in time about whether to extend the licence; it cannot logically be made 'for a period'. The drafter appears to have confused 'suspension' with 'refusal to renew'. This also uses 'license' (American spelling) while the rest of the Act uses 'licence' (Australian/British spelling), suggesting a drafting error.","confidence":0.85,"description":"Typographical/logical absurdity: the section refers to the ability to 'refuse to renew the license for a period', which is incoherent — a refusal to renew is a permanent administrative outcome at that point in time, not something that can be imposed 'for a period'."},{"type":"other","section":"sec.36(3)","severity":"medium","reasoning":"Section 36(2) establishes a strong obligation not to use personal information for purposes other than service delivery or with written consent. Section 36(3) then creates a sweeping exception permitting transfer of all client personal information on business sale without consent unless the client 'otherwise directs'. Clients cannot practically direct otherwise if they are not notified of the pending sale. The Act does not require the agent to notify clients before transferring their data, rendering the privacy protection largely illusory for the most commercially significant scenario — business sale.","confidence":0.8,"description":"Privacy protection is effectively nullified by a broad ownership-transfer exception. The agent may transfer all personal client information to a new owner without any consent, merely requiring the client to have 'otherwise directed' — but clients may be unaware a sale is occurring."},{"type":"self_contradicting","section":"sec.25(1)","severity":"high","reasoning":"Section 25(5)(a) provides that once a renewal application is lodged, the licence is 'taken to continue in force' from the day it would have ended. However, if the licensee continues operating after expiry but before lodging the late renewal application, there is a gap period where they are carrying on business without a licence (offence under s18) but will retrospectively be deemed to have held a valid licence once the renewal application is eventually lodged within the 3-month window. The Act does not address this retroactive gap or whether the offence is retrospectively cured.","confidence":0.82,"description":"A licensee can apply for renewal up to 3 months AFTER the licence has ended. Under sec.18, carrying on business without a licence attracts a 200 penalty unit fine. This creates a window where a licensee who applies late (but within 3 months) is simultaneously operating unlawfully under sec.18 and lawfully continuing under sec.25(5)(a)."},{"type":"other","section":"sec.23B(3)","severity":"medium","reasoning":"The mandatory destruction of criminal history reports under s23B(3) creates a practical impossibility for ongoing regulatory compliance. Section 26(e) and s20(2)(a) both require the chief executive to consider convictions within the last 5 years on renewal and for grounds of cancellation. If the report is destroyed after the initial licensing decision, the regulator loses the documentary basis for those ongoing obligations. A new report could be obtained, but the Act does not require this for renewals in explicit terms, and the destruction obligation conflicts with the 5-year lookback period.","confidence":0.75,"description":"The chief executive is required to destroy criminal history reports 'as soon as practicable after considering the person's suitability', but sec.26(e) allows cancellation/suspension of a licence if a person is convicted of an offence 'within the last 5 years'. If the report is destroyed after initial consideration, the chief executive has no record to rely upon for subsequent enforcement action or renewals."},{"type":"self_contradicting","section":"sec.41(2)(a) and sec.41(4)","severity":"low","reasoning":"Section 41(2)(a) requires the agent to 'immediately remove the client's name from any list held by the agent of persons available for introduction.' Section 41(4) then states this does not authorise destruction of documents required to be kept under the Act. Section 42 requires documents to be kept for 7 years. If the active membership list constitutes a 'document required to be made under this Act', there is a direct conflict: the agent must remove the name (altering the document) but cannot destroy the document. Amending a 7-year retention document raises questions about whether the pre-amendment version must also be retained.","confidence":0.7,"description":"Tension between 'immediately remove' and document retention obligations: the agent must immediately remove a client's name from introduction lists but is prohibited from destroying documents it is required to keep. If the 'list' constitutes a required document under sec.42, these obligations directly conflict."},{"type":"other","section":"sec.17","severity":"low","reasoning":"While the exclusion of sex work introduction services may be intentional policy (sex work is regulated elsewhere in Queensland), the effect is that operators who introduce clients to sex workers have none of the consumer protections, false representation prohibitions, or licensing requirements that apply to ordinary dating agencies. Given the purpose of the Act includes protecting consumers, this total exclusion is a notable gap. Clients of sex work introduction services have fewer statutory protections than clients of a conventional dating agency.","confidence":0.65,"description":"Section 17 excludes sex work introduction services from the Act entirely, meaning providers of such services face no licensing, consumer protection, or fair trading obligations under this Act — creating a complete regulatory vacuum for a potentially vulnerable consumer context."}],"contradictions":[{"severity":"medium","section_a":"sec.44(1)(b)(ii)","section_b":"sec.44(1)(b)(i)","confidence":0.88,"description":"Section 44(1)(b)(i) requires the licence number to appear 'prominently at the top of the first page' while sec.44(1)(b)(ii) requires 'Important Notice' to appear 'at the beginning of the agreement, before any other words comprising the agreement'. Both cannot be satisfied simultaneously — only one item can logically precede all other words."},{"severity":"high","section_a":"sec.18","section_b":"sec.25(1) and sec.25(5)(a)","confidence":0.82,"description":"Section 18 makes it an offence (200 penalty units) to carry on business without a licence. Section 25 permits a renewal application up to 3 months after licence expiry, and sec.25(5)(a) deems the licence to continue once the application is lodged. This creates a period after licence expiry but before late-renewal lodgement where operating is simultaneously an offence under sec.18 and retrospectively lawful under sec.25(5)."},{"severity":"medium","section_a":"sec.36(2)","section_b":"sec.36(3)","confidence":0.8,"description":"Section 36(2) prohibits use of personal information without written consent except for narrow purposes. Section 36(3) permits wholesale transfer of all personal information to a new business owner without consent, subject only to a client's prior direction to the contrary. The exception substantially swallows the rule in the commercially significant scenario of business sale."},{"severity":"medium","section_a":"sec.23B(3)","section_b":"sec.26(e) and sec.20(2)(a)","confidence":0.75,"description":"Section 23B(3) mandates destruction of criminal history reports as soon as practicable after considering suitability. Sections 26(e) and 20(2)(a) require the chief executive to consider convictions within the last 5 years for ongoing licence management and renewals. Destroying the report after initial grant removes the evidentiary basis for these ongoing obligations."},{"severity":"low","section_a":"sec.41(2)(a)","section_b":"sec.42(1)","confidence":0.68,"description":"Section 41(2)(a) requires immediate removal of a client's name from introduction lists on request. Section 42(1) requires documents to be kept for 7 years. If the introduction list is a document 'required to be made under this Act', modifying it by removing names may conflict with the obligation to retain the complete document, and sec.41(4) expressly preserves the retention obligation."},{"severity":"low","section_a":"sec.47(1)","section_b":"sec.48(5)","confidence":0.72,"description":"Section 47(1) requires a full refund within 21 days of a voiding notice. Section 48(5) provides an agent need not refund if they apply to the Magistrates Court within 21 days AND pay the equivalent amount into court. An agent who pays into court technically complies with sec.48(5) but has not refunded the client under sec.47(1), yet is stated not to 'contravene' sec.47(1). The client is left without either a refund or court-ordered compensation for the period of proceedings."},{"severity":"medium","section_a":"sec.34","section_b":"sec.35(2) and sec.35(3)","confidence":0.78,"description":"Section 34 imposes identical conduct prohibitions on employees and associated persons as sec.35 imposes on introduction agents themselves. However, sec.35(2) and (3) impose a reversed onus of proof on introduction agents in prosecutions. No equivalent reversed onus applies to employees under sec.34, meaning the same false representation is prosecuted under different evidentiary burdens depending solely on whether the maker is the agent or an employee — potentially allowing agents to shield themselves by having employees make representations."}]}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/introduction-agents-act-2001","history":"/api/acts/introduction-agents-act-2001/history","analysis":"/api/acts/introduction-agents-act-2001/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/introduction-agents-act-2001/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/introduction-agents-act-2001/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/introduction-agents-act-2001/documents"}}