Terms & Conditions of Employ Equine

These terms and conditions were published on 30th June 2024 and apply to all bookings made on or after that date. They form the basis of the legally binding contract between you and Employ Equine. You must read them carefully and ensure that you understand them before booking.

All applications are made to Employ Equine, referred to in this document as “Employ Equine”, “we”, “our” or “us”. You are referred to as “you”, “I”, “the participant” and “the applicant”.

When we refer to payment, we mean cleared funds received into our account. Payment is not considered made when an uncleared cheque or pending bank transfer is submitted.

All applicants for our programmes are bound by these terms and conditions. As an applicant, you are personally bound by these terms and conditions once you agree to them following your acceptance. If you are under 18 at the time of booking, a parent or legal guardian may also be required to agree to these terms.

You accept that any written information supplied to you, or anything we have told you about the programme you have applied for, has been given in good faith and is based on information believed to be accurate at the time published or communicated.

Information provided on our website, social media, written materials and during conversations may change due to operational, seasonal or external factors outside our reasonable control.

Employ Equine provides a pathway to real work for real pay within the horse industry. Our programme combines aspects of tourism, travel and employment preparation and requires effort, focus, commitment, application and full engagement with the tasks presented to you by mentors, employers and co-workers.

Employ Equine acts as a recruitment, travel and programme facilitation company. Participants are introduced to independent Australian employers and are not employed by Employ Equine.

By taking part in the programme, you agree to participate to the best of your ability, to work safely and responsibly, and to pay due attention when being instructed.

By agreeing to these terms and conditions, you acknowledge that you understand and accept the nature of the programme, including the physical demands and inherent risks associated with equine work, travel and rural environments.

Our Responsibility to You

We are responsible for arranging the programme elements described in our written materials to a reasonable standard and acting with reasonable care in the selection of third-party providers.

However, Employ Equine does not directly supervise workplaces, accommodation providers, activity providers or employers overseas.

We reserve the right to make reasonable changes to programme arrangements where necessary due to operational requirements, weather, supplier availability, employer requirements or circumstances beyond our control.

Applications, Bookings and Payments

10.

After you apply for a programme, we shall notify you as quickly as reasonably possible whether your application has been successful. We will aim to notify you within the same week, although this cannot be guaranteed.

11.

A confirmed place on a programme is referred to as “a booking” within these terms and conditions.

12.

We currently require an application and, in some cases, a follow-up interview before accepting participants. A deposit payment is then required to confirm your place. This payment is deducted from the full programme price and is not an additional fee.

13.

There may be occasions where the initial payment amount varies. Any variation will be clearly communicated at the time of booking. Deposits are non-refundable once an application has been accepted.

14.

Final payment must be made two months prior to departure, or at the time of booking if booking within two months of departure. In some circumstances, the final payment deadline may differ and this will be clearly communicated in your payment schedule.

Requirements Following Acceptance

15.

Once offered a place by Employ Equine, you will receive an acceptance email and further booking information by email.

16.

All acceptance information forms an integral part of your booking with Employ Equine. This information contains important details regarding your programme, travel preparation, health and safety, and information required from you.

17.

You will be notified by email when further information is required from you. You must provide requested information within a reasonable timeframe. Failure to do so may result in refusal of continuation on the programme.

18.

You are responsible for carefully reading all information supplied to you before departure. If we reasonably believe you have failed to engage with important programme or safety information, we reserve the right to cancel your participation and terminate your contract with us.

Cancellation, Non-Payment and Date Changes

19.

If you fail to make payments on time, we reserve the right to treat your booking as cancelled and offer your place to another participant. We may terminate the booking and are not obliged to refund payments already made.

20.

If you wish to cancel your application or booking, you must notify us in writing. Any payments made up to that point are non-refundable. In exceptional circumstances, deferment may be considered but is not guaranteed.

21.

Once you have cancelled your booking, we are entitled to treat your application as ended. If you later decide to reapply, a new application process may be required.

22.

All deposits are non-refundable as costs are incurred from the point of application onwards.

23.

If you request to change your programme dates, an administration fee and/or supplier charges may apply. Any applicable costs will be passed on to you.

If We Cancel

24.

We shall not cancel your booking unless required to do so due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control.

25.

If we cancel your booking for reasons beyond our reasonable control more than fourteen days before departure, we will refund any programme fees paid to Employ Equine.

26.

We are unable to refund any additional costs incurred by you, including flights, visas, vaccinations, insurance or other third-party expenses. You acknowledge and accept these risks when booking the programme.

Insurance, Liability and Disclaimer

27.

Employ Equine maintains public liability and professional indemnity insurance appropriate to our role as a Australian-based recruitment and travel facilitator.

28.

Before departure, you must obtain adequate travel insurance covering personal accident, medical and hospital expenses, repatriation, cancellation, curtailment, personal belongings, legal expenses, personal liability and emergency travel costs.

Your insurance must also cover participation in equine activities and rural work where applicable. We reserve the right to request proof of insurance and may refuse participation if adequate cover is not in place.

We strongly recommend taking out travel insurance which covers you for pre-departure cancellations due to varying reasons beyond anyone’s control.

29.

You must not undertake activities excluded by your insurance policy.

30.

We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance covering loss, theft or damage to personal belongings, emergency return travel and disruption caused by government travel advice or border restrictions.

31.

We recommend arranging insurance before booking flights or making final payment to Employ Equine. This remains your responsibility.

32.

Any insurance claim must be made directly to your insurer. Employ Equine is not responsible for policy excesses, exclusions or insufficient cover.

33.

Once orientation has ended and employment begins, any employment contract or working arrangement is made directly between you and the Australian employer.

Employ Equine is not the employer and is not responsible for workplace management, supervision, payroll, accommodation standards provided by employers, workers compensation insurance, or day-to-day health and safety once employment has commenced.

Australian employers are independently responsible for complying with local employment, workplace health and safety, accommodation and insurance requirements.

34.

We are not liable to you or any third party for any inadequacy in the insurance cover you obtain or for loss, theft or damage to your personal property. Under no circumstances shall Employ Equine lend money to participants.

35.

You acknowledge that equine activities, rural work, travel and associated activities carry inherent risks including the risk of serious injury, illness, property damage or death.

By participating in the programme, you voluntarily accept and assume these inherent risks.

Employ Equine will not be liable for injury, loss or damage arising from risks inherent to equine activities, independent travel or employment undertaken with third-party employers, except where caused directly by our negligence or where liability cannot legally be excluded.

36.

We, our employees and representatives are not responsible for failure or delay in performance caused by circumstances beyond our reasonable control including, but not limited to:

acts of God
war
terrorism
civil unrest
industrial disputes
pandemics
border closures
natural disasters
severe weather
government action
visa refusal or cancellation
transport disruption
supplier failure
criminal activity
theft
mechanical breakdown
actions or omissions of third parties
actions or omissions of participants

37.

Every effort is made to ensure information provided by Employ Equine is accurate and up to date. However, programme details, employers, locations, activities and schedules may change due to operational or seasonal requirements beyond our control.

38.

Nothing within these terms and conditions excludes liability for fraudulent misrepresentation or any liability which cannot legally be excluded.

39.

Where legally permitted, the maximum liability recoverable from Employ Equine shall be limited to the total amount paid by you directly to Employ Equine for the programme.

Safety During Programme Activities

40.

Orientation and employment activities may include horse riding, horse handling, livestock work, stable duties, farm work, use of machinery or equipment, outdoor recreational activities, independent travel and other physical activities associated with rural Australian life and equine employment.

These activities carry inherent risks and may take place under varying levels of supervision depending on the activity and employer.

41.

Some orientation and recreational activities are operated by independent third-party providers who maintain their own operational responsibility and insurance cover. Employ Equine is not responsible for the operational management of these activities.

42.

You agree that participation in programme activities is undertaken voluntarily and at your own risk.

43.

You agree to seek clarification whenever you are uncertain about instructions, equipment operation or safety procedures. You also agree to use any safety equipment provided and to request appropriate equipment where necessary.

44.

You acknowledge that appropriate clothing for farm and equine work in Australia may include work shirts, long trousers, riding pants, boots and sun protection. You agree to dress appropriately for training and work activities and to follow all reasonable safety instructions provided by employers or activity providers.

45.

Participants are expected to behave responsibly, comply with Australian law, follow employer and safety instructions, and avoid reckless, dangerous or illegal behaviour.

Employ Equine reserves the right to terminate programme support or involvement where participant behaviour creates risk to themselves or others.

46.

By participating in the programme, you confirm that the horse experience and riding ability declared in your application is accurate and truthful. Employ Equine reserves the right to withdraw placements or support if experience levels are found to have been misrepresented.

Health and Fitness

47.

You are responsible for ensuring that you are physically, mentally and emotionally fit before participating in the programme.

48.

You must complete all medical declarations honestly and fully, including disclosure of any physical or mental health conditions. We reserve the right to request a doctor’s letter before confirming participation.

49.

You must disclose any pre-existing medical conditions which may affect your participation. Failure to disclose relevant information may result in additional costs or removal from the programme where necessary.

50.

If you become ill or injured abroad, you must seek local medical assistance and contact your insurers where appropriate. Employ Equine will provide reasonable assistance where possible, but ultimate responsibility for your health and wellbeing rests with you.

51.

If you take prescription medication, you are responsible for bringing sufficient supplies, storing them appropriately and taking them correctly.

52.

You acknowledge that it is your responsibility to protect yourself from sun exposure, dehydration and heat-related illness while participating in the programme.

Passports and Visas

53.

We may provide guidance regarding visa requirements; however, you are personally responsible for completing visa applications, obtaining documentation and attending any required appointments.

Visa decisions are made solely by the relevant authorities and Employ Equine cannot guarantee approval.

54.

You are responsible for ensuring that your passport remains valid for the duration of your travel and complies with entry requirements for your destination.

55.

You are responsible for obtaining the correct visa, flights and supporting documentation in sufficient time before programme commencement.

56.

You will be asked to confirm acceptance of these terms and conditions when completing your application. Please ensure you have read and understood them fully before agreeing.

You will be asked to agree to these terms and conditions when you complete your application by ticking a box. Please make sure you have read and agreed to them before completing this.

Terms and Conditions

Terms & Conditions of Employ Equine