Introduction agent industry breaches and penalties
Introduction or dating agents must obey a range of laws and regulations, including:
- Introduction Agents Act 2001
- Introduction Agents Regulation 2018
- Drugs Misuse Act 1986
- Vagrants, Gaming and Other Offences Act 1931.
This page provides information about the penalties that apply for breaching laws that relate to the introduction agencies.
This penalty relates to not notifying us of a change to your details.
| Offence | Maximum penalty |
|---|---|
| Failing to advise the Office of Fair Trading in writing within 30 days about changes to any aspect of your licence, including your personal details | $8,635 |
These penalties relate to your conduct as an introduction agent.
| Offence | Maximum penalty |
|---|---|
| Employing someone who is under 18 | $34,540 |
| Having clients who are under 18 | $34,540 |
| Not conspicuously displaying your licence where you do business | $34,540 |
| Not displaying your licence on all communications with actual or potential clients | $34,540 |
| Not following the law about restrictions on payments | $34,540 |
| Failure to give a full refund as required | $34,540 |
| Making false representations (this also applies to your employees and any associated people) | $93,258 |
Inspectors have the legal authority to make sure you don't break the law. You must follow their lawful directions or risk a fine. Read about inspections of introduction agents.
These offences relate to non-compliance with inspectors.
| Offence | Maximum penalty |
|---|---|
| Obstructing an inspector or someone helping an inspector in the exercise of powers | $34,540 or 1 year imprisonment |
| Failure to comply with an inspector's information request | $34,540 or 1 year imprisonment |
| Failure to comply with an inspector's request for personal details | $8,635 |
| Failure to comply with an inspector's request to produce a document | $34,540 |
| Knowingly giving an inspector false or misleading information or a document containing false or misleading information | $34,540 or 2 years imprisonment |
Unlicensed or disqualified work as an introduction agent is against the law.
We will cancel your licence if you're convicted of a disqualifying offence.
These penalties relate to unlicensed or disqualified work.
| Offence | Maximum penalty |
|---|---|
| Working as an introduction agent while unlicensed or disqualified | $34,540 |
| Failing to return your licence to the Office of Fair Trading within 14 days after being convicted of a disqualifying offence and having your licence cancelled | $3,454 |