Small Business Connect

Terms and Conditions

smallbusinessconnect.com.au

Effective Date: 1 June 2025 | Last Updated: June 2025

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Please read these Terms and Conditions carefully before using Small Business Connect. By accessing or using our website, platform, services, or any membership tier, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, please do not use our services.

Small Business Connect is operated by Small Business Connect (ABN: 99 337 711 787) (“we”, “us”, “SBC”). Our platform is designed to support Australian small business owners through a combined directory, community, marketplace, and networking program.

1. Definitions

In these Terms and Conditions:

“Platform” means the Small Business Connect website at smallbusinessconnect.com.au and all associated services, tools, and features.
“Member” or “you” means any individual or business entity that has registered an account or purchased a membership on the Platform.
“Listing” means a business directory entry created and managed by a Member.
“Membership Tier” refers to one of our paid subscription plans: Business Listing, Full Membership, or Business Gym.
“Marketplace” means the buy-and-sell section of the Platform where Members can offer goods or services.
“Community” means the social networking and activity feed features available to Full Members and Business Gym Members.
“Content” means any text, images, logos, links, listings, posts, reviews, products, or other material submitted by a Member.
“Business Gym” refers to our premium networking and mastermind program (currently available by waitlist).

2. Eligibility and Registration

To use Small Business Connect, you must:

Be at least 18 years of age;
Be operating or intending to operate a legitimate business in Australia (or be considering self-employment);
Provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration; and
Maintain the accuracy of your account details at all times.

We reserve the right to refuse registration or suspend any account that we believe has provided false or misleading information, or that poses a risk to the Platform or its Members.

3. Membership Tiers and Pricing

3.1 Available Plans

Small Business Connect currently offers the following membership tiers:

Business Listing – $10/month (or $100/year): Access to the SBC business directory, including the ability to create and manage a business listing. Does not include access to the community, marketplace, or events.

Annual billing offers two months free.

Full Membership – $25/month (or $250/year): Includes everything in the Business Listing tier, plus access to the SBC community, marketplace (5% commission on sales), events, and the ability to add team members with community-only access.

Annual billing offers two months free.

Business Gym – $50/month (Coming Soon): A premium tier for ambitious business owners. Includes everything in Full Membership plus Coffee & Chaos mastermind sessions, live online networking with breakout rooms, a monthly featured guest speaker, exclusive events, and access to the SBC podcast. Currently available by waitlist only.

3.2 Billing and Payments

All membership fees are billed in Australian Dollars (AUD) inclusive of GST. Payments are processed securely through our payment provider. By subscribing, you authorise us to charge your nominated payment method at the start of each billing period.

Monthly memberships renew on the same date each month.
Annual memberships renew on the same date each year.
You are responsible for ensuring your payment details remain current. Failed payments may result in suspension of your account.

3.3 Price Changes

We reserve the right to adjust membership pricing. We will provide at least 30 days’ notice of any price change via email to your registered address. Continued use of the Platform after a price change takes effect constitutes acceptance of the new pricing.

3.4 Cancellation

You may cancel your membership at any time through your member dashboard or by contacting us directly. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period. We do not offer refunds for the current billing period unless required by Australian Consumer Law.

3.5 Refunds

Refund requests are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Where a refund is warranted under Australian Consumer Law, we will process it promptly. We do not offer pro-rata refunds for unused portions of a billing period unless there has been a fault on our part.

4. Business Directory and Listings

Members with a Business Listing or Full Membership plan may create and publish a business listing on the SBC directory. By submitting a listing, you confirm that:

The business described is real and legitimately operating or being established;
All information provided — including business name, description, category, contact details, and images — is accurate and not misleading;
You hold all rights to any images or content used in your listing; and
Your business complies with all applicable Australian laws and regulations.

We reserve the right to remove or edit any listing that we consider inaccurate, misleading, inappropriate, or in breach of these Terms, without prior notice.

Listing visibility may vary depending on your membership tier. SBC does not guarantee a specific ranking or placement within the directory.

5. Community Features

Full Members and Business Gym Members have access to the SBC community, including activity feeds, groups, messaging, and member profiles. When participating in the community, you agree to:

Engage respectfully and professionally with other Members;
Not post spam, unsolicited promotions, or repetitive content;
Not share content that is defamatory, offensive, discriminatory, or unlawful;
Not impersonate any person or business; and
Not use the community to solicit Members for third-party platforms or competing services.

We reserve the right to moderate, remove, or restrict any content or account that violates these guidelines. Repeated or serious violations may result in permanent account suspension without refund.

Team members added to a Full Membership account will have community-only access. The account holder is responsible for the conduct of their team members on the Platform.

6. Marketplace

6.1 Vendor Participation

Full Members and Business Gym Members may list products or services for sale on the SBC Marketplace. By selling on the Marketplace, you agree that:

All products or services listed are accurately described and legally available for sale in Australia;
You are responsible for setting your own prices, managing your inventory, and fulfilling orders;
You are solely responsible for shipping, returns, and customer service for your Marketplace sales; and
Your listings comply with all applicable Australian Consumer Law obligations, including consumer guarantees.

6.2 Commission

SBC charges a 5% commission on all Marketplace transactions. This fee is deducted automatically at the time of each sale. The commission covers platform access, payment processing facilitation, and Marketplace infrastructure.

6.3 Disputes

SBC facilitates the Marketplace as a platform only and is not a party to transactions between buyers and sellers. Any disputes between buyers and sellers are to be resolved between the parties directly. We encourage Members to resolve disputes professionally and in good faith. Where we are made aware of a dispute, we may choose to assist in facilitating a resolution, but we are not obligated to do so.

6.4 Prohibited Items

You may not list items that are illegal, counterfeit, misleading, or that infringe the intellectual property rights of others. SBC reserves the right to remove any listing at any time without notice.

7. Events

Full Members and Business Gym Members may access SBC-hosted events, including online sessions, workshops, and networking events. Business Gym Members additionally have access to exclusive events, live networking with breakout rooms, and mastermind sessions.

Event access is subject to availability. SBC reserves the right to cancel, reschedule, or modify events at any time. Where SBC cancels a paid event, affected Members will be offered a credit or alternative.

By attending events, you agree to conduct yourself professionally and respectfully. Recording of sessions is not permitted without express written consent from SBC.

8. Intellectual Property

8.1 Our Content

All content on the SBC Platform — including branding, design, copy, course materials, event recordings, and platform features — is owned by or licensed to Small Business Connect. You may not reproduce, distribute, or use our content without prior written permission.

8.2 Your Content

You retain ownership of any Content you submit to the Platform. By submitting Content, you grant SBC a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide licence to display, distribute, and promote your Content in connection with the operation and marketing of the Platform (for example, sharing your listing in promotional materials or social media).

You represent and warrant that you own or have the necessary rights to all Content you submit, and that your Content does not infringe the intellectual property rights of any third party.

9. Privacy

We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information in accordance with the Australian Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles.

Our Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and disclose your personal information. By using the Platform, you consent to the practices described in our Privacy Policy, which forms part of these Terms.

Your contact details and business information will be visible to other Platform users as part of your public listing or member profile, as applicable to your membership tier.

10. Acceptable Use

You agree not to use the Platform to:

Violate any applicable law or regulation;
Harass, threaten, or harm any other Member or person;
Spread misinformation, false reviews, or fraudulent content;
Attempt to gain unauthorised access to any part of the Platform or another Member’s account;
Upload malware, viruses, or any code that could damage the Platform or its users;
Scrape, crawl, or systematically extract data from the Platform without our written consent; or
Engage in any activity that could damage the reputation or operation of SBC.

Breach of this section may result in immediate account suspension and, where applicable, referral to relevant authorities.

11. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability

11.1 No Professional Advice

Content on the SBC Platform — including community posts, event discussions, and Member listings — is provided for general informational and networking purposes only. It does not constitute legal, financial, accounting, or professional advice. You should seek independent professional advice before acting on any information found on the Platform.

11.2 Member Content

SBC does not verify, endorse, or take responsibility for any Content submitted by Members. We are not responsible for the accuracy of listings, the quality of Marketplace products, or the conduct of Members in the Community or at events.

11.3 Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by Australian law, SBC’s total liability to you for any claim arising from your use of the Platform is limited to the total membership fees paid by you in the three months preceding the event giving rise to the claim.

SBC is not liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, or special loss or damage, including lost profits, loss of data, or reputational damage.

11.4 Consumer Guarantees

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits rights you have under the Australian Consumer Law that cannot legally be excluded. Where SBC provides services that carry statutory consumer guarantees, those guarantees apply.

12. Account Suspension and Termination

SBC reserves the right to suspend or terminate your account, with or without notice, if:

You breach these Terms and Conditions;
You engage in fraudulent, unlawful, or harmful conduct;
Your membership fees remain unpaid after reasonable notice; or
We determine, at our discretion, that your continued participation is detrimental to the Platform or its Members.

On termination, your access to the Platform and its features will cease. You remain liable for any outstanding amounts owed to SBC.

You may close your account at any time by contacting us. Closure takes effect at the end of your current billing period.

13. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms and Conditions from time to time to reflect changes to the Platform, our services, or applicable law. We will notify you of material changes via email to your registered address or by a notice on the Platform.

Your continued use of the Platform after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms. If you do not agree with the updated Terms, please cancel your membership and stop using the Platform.

14. Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of Queensland, Australia. Any disputes arising from these Terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Queensland, unless otherwise required by applicable law.

15. Contact Us

If you have any questions about these Terms and Conditions, please contact us:

Small Business Connect

Website: smallbusinessconnect.com.au

Email: hello@smallbusinessconnect.com.au

ABN: 99 337 711 787

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By using Small Business Connect, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.