Payments and Outstanding Balances
4. Payments and Outstanding Balances
Status: Working draft pending owner review and approval.
4.1 Accepted payment methods
The studio accepts the following payment methods, subject to availability and any requirements imposed by the relevant payment provider:
EFTPOS
American Express
Other accepted credit and debit cards
Cash
Bank transfer
Afterpay
A bank transfer is treated as paid when cleared funds are received in the studio’s nominated account. If a payment method is temporarily unavailable, the client must use another accepted method or make an arrangement approved by the studio.
4.2 Payment surcharges
The studio does not currently impose a separate surcharge for EFTPOS, American Express or other credit or debit card payments.
4.3 Prices and GST
The price displayed or confirmed for a service is the total price payable for that service, subject to any additional service, product or variation requested and agreed to by the client.
The studio is not currently registered for GST and does not currently charge GST. From the effective date of the studio’s GST registration, displayed and quoted consumer prices will include any applicable GST. The studio will update its pricing and invoicing information when registration takes effect.
4.4 When payment is due
Any required deposit or prepayment must be paid when requested to secure or retain a booking. Unless the studio has required earlier payment, the remaining appointment balance is due immediately upon completion of the service and before the client leaves the studio.
The studio may reasonably require partial or full prepayment before a service begins or before a future booking is confirmed, including where the client has:
An unpaid or previously overdue balance
Previously failed to attend an appointment
Previously had a payment declined or reversed
Requested a high-value, extended or specially prepared appointment
Another booking history that creates a reasonable payment risk
The studio will disclose any prepayment requirement before confirming the affected booking.
4.5 Afterpay
Afterpay payments are subject to Afterpay’s eligibility requirements, approval process and customer terms. The studio cannot guarantee that Afterpay will approve a transaction.
If Afterpay is declined or unavailable, the client must use another accepted payment method. Any adjustment, cancellation or refund involving an Afterpay transaction will be processed in accordance with the studio’s policies, Australian Consumer Law and the applicable Afterpay process.
4.6 Payment by another person
Another person may book or pay for a client’s service. The client remains responsible for ensuring that all amounts due for their appointment are paid. A purchaser who makes the booking, accepts the studio policies or agrees to pay also accepts responsibility for the payment they have authorised.
Where both the client and purchaser have agreed to be responsible for payment, the studio may seek an unpaid amount from either person to the extent permitted by law. Payment by another person does not allow that person to provide treatment consent on the client’s behalf or control confidential treatment decisions.
4.7 Saved payment methods and authorised charges
Payment details may be securely retained by the studio’s booking or payment provider. The studio does not require clients to provide complete card details directly to staff for storage.
Where the client has separately authorised the studio to charge a saved payment method, the studio may use that authority only for an amount covered by the authorisation. This may include a cancellation charge, no-show charge or unpaid appointment balance that is clearly payable under the accepted policies. A charge will only be processed where permitted by the client’s authorisation and the payment provider’s requirements.
The studio will provide or make available a record of any charge. A saved payment method does not remove the client’s right to question an incorrect or unauthorised transaction.
4.8 Declined or unsuccessful payments
If a payment is declined, reversed or cannot be completed, the client must promptly use another accepted payment method. If immediate payment cannot be completed, the studio may issue an invoice or payment request for payment online or by bank transfer.
An invoice issued for an amount already due is payable immediately. Issuing an invoice does not extend the original payment deadline unless the studio agrees otherwise in writing.
4.9 Outstanding balances and future bookings
The studio may refuse to provide or confirm another service while any amount remains unpaid. It may cancel or place a hold on an unperformed future booking until the balance and any required prepayment are received.
A client with an outstanding balance or previous no-show may be required to pay partially or fully in advance for future appointments. Acceptance of a later booking does not waive an earlier unpaid balance.
4.10 Recovery of unpaid amounts
If an amount remains unpaid after a payment request and reasonable notice, the studio may take reasonable steps to recover it. These steps may include contacting the responsible client or purchaser, issuing a written demand, referring the account to an external debt-recovery provider or commencing appropriate tribunal or court proceedings.
The studio may seek reasonable third-party recovery costs, filing fees and other enforcement expenses only to the extent they are actually incurred and lawfully recoverable. The studio will conduct all recovery activity consistently with applicable consumer protection, privacy and debt-collection laws.
4.11 Payment questions and disputes
A client or purchaser who believes a payment is duplicate, incorrect or unauthorised should contact the studio directly as soon as possible and provide enough information for the transaction to be identified and reviewed.
The studio will consider the concern and correct any confirmed error. Any undisputed portion of an amount remains payable. Nothing in this section prevents a person from exercising a right available through their payment provider or under applicable law.
4.12 Receipts, invoices and itemised accounts
The studio will provide receipts, invoices and itemised accounts as required by law. A receipt will be provided automatically for a transaction over $75 and, for a transaction of $75 or less, upon request within the required timeframe. An itemised account for a service will be provided upon request within the required timeframe.
Once the studio’s GST registration becomes effective, it will provide a valid tax invoice where required. Before that date, an ordinary receipt or invoice may be issued but will not represent that GST has been charged.
4.13 Statutory rights
Nothing in this policy excludes, restricts or modifies any consumer guarantee, right or remedy that cannot lawfully be excluded, restricted or modified, including rights available under Australian Consumer Law.