Client Terms & Conditions

By visiting our website and submitting a booking request form, you agree to all of the Melbourne Family Hub Terms & Conditions set forth below. If you do not agree to these terms, you are not granted the permission to use our website or any of the services provided. We reserve the right, at our discretion, to change, modify, add or remove portions of these Terms & Conditions at any time. Your use of our services and website means that you accept any changes that are made to these Terms & Conditions.

Unless otherwise stated;

“MFH” – shall mean The Melbourne Family Hub.

“Client” – shall mean the family or families for whom the Babysitter/Tutor/Homework Helper undertakes duties.

“Babysitter/Tutor/Homework Helper” – shall mean the MFH Team Member engaged by the Client to undertake the duties as agreed between the Parties.

“Parties” – shall mean the parties to these Terms & Conditions.

Referral

  1. MFH is a booking and referral agency only. It does not employ any Babysitter/Tutor/Homework Helper.
  2. MFH will:

(i) assist Clients in booking a suitable Babysitter/Tutor/Homework Helper to provide in-home casual childcare or private tuition services for their child/children.

(ii) assess the experience, professional ability and suitability of each MFH Babysitter/Tutor/Homework Helper in accordance with MFH’s selection criteria.

  1. MFH will not be party to a contractual agreement that results from a referral of a Babysitter/Tutor/Homework Helper to a Client.
  2. The Client understands and acknowledges that MFH is not an agent or representative of the Babysitter/Tutor/Homework Helper. MFH is not in any way liable for any loss, expense or injury, delay or damage the Client or any other person may suffer or incur, as a result of the wrongful acts, omissions, or negligence of the Babysitter/Tutor/Homework Helper.
  3. MFH does not guarantee to find a suitable Babysitter/Tutor/Homework Helper for a Client.
  4. The Client is responsible for:

(i) Direct payment of the Babysitter/Tutor/Homework Helper’s hourly rate, in cash or online bank transfer, at the time the service is provided.

(ii) Providing a safe and clean work environment for the Babysitter/Tutor/Homework Helper.

  1. MFH reserves the right to refuse a referral or placement for any reason whatsoever.
  2. Third Parties: Referral vs. Introduction. It is the obligation of the Client to immediately inform MFH when a Babysitter/Tutor/Homework Helper referred by MFH has already been introduced by a third party. If the Client does not so inform MFH then it will be presumed that referral has been effected by MFH and 
the relevant booking fee will become payable.

Bookings & Changes to Bookings/Booked Hours

  1. All bookings must be made directly between the Client and MFH. At no time is the Client to contact the Babysitter/Tutor/Homework Helper directly to check availability or to make a booking, including any unspecified future date.
  2. Should Condition 1 be ignored, the Babysitter/Tutor/Homework Helper is legally obliged to inform MFH, and the relevant booking fees will be charged to the Client. The amount of the booking fee will depend upon the nature and duration of what has been privately arranged.
  3. MFH reserves the right to refuse a booking for any reason whatsoever.
  4. The Client shall notify MFH of any changes to the start/finish times, dates and duties to be undertaken by the Babysitter/Tutor/Homework Helper at least 24 hours before they commence the arranged work, to avoid payment of the Babysitter/Tutor/Homework Helper’s full rate as per the original booking confirmation.
  5. If the Client wishes to reduce the Babysitter’s booked hours (eg. the Client has a Babysitter booked from 4pm – 10pm, however the Client now only needs the sitter from 4pm – 7pm), the Client must provide MFH/their booked sitter with at least 24 hours notice. Failure to do so will result in the Client making full payment for the original booked hours, as per the original Booking Confirmation Documentation.   

Babysitter Photos & Video Messages

  1. When a Client’s babysitting booking is confirmed, they will receive a photo or a 30 second video message of their confirmed Babysitter.
  2. For Privacy and Safety reasons, these photos and video messages and any information contained within the booking confirmation document about the confirmed Babysitter, is not to be passed onto any third party. They must only be used to ‘introduce’ the Babysitter to the Client’s child/ren ahead of the Babysitter’s arrival. 
  3. If a Client is found to be in breach of Condition 2 and a private work arrangement between the Babysitter and a third party results, the Client will be charged the full price for an additional booking fee. 

Fees

  1. A non-refundable booking fee is charged to the Client for each session of Babysitting, Tutoring and Homework Help.
  2. Booking fees must always be paid in Australian dollars.
  3. All fees and charges set out in the ‘Fees’ page may be subject to variation from time to time. MFH reserves the right to make such changes. 
  4. When requesting a Babysitter, the Client will be charged the applicable booking fee upon submission of the Babysitting Booking Form. The booking fee will only ever be refunded in the event MFH does not have a Babysitter available to meet a Client’s request.
  5. The booking fee charged for a Babysitter is for one engagement only. 
  6. When requesting a Tutor/Homework Helper, the Client will be charged the applicable booking fee upon confirmation of MFH’s availability to meet the Client’s request. Tutoring/Homework Help booking fees are due the day prior to the Tutor/Homework arriving for session 1 of each school term.
  7. MFH reserves the right not to dispatch a Babysitter/Tutor/Homework Helper if the booking fee has not been received in the MFH bank account prior to the Babysitter/Tutor/Homework Helper’s arrival.
  8. The Client agrees to notify MFH immediately, and book accordingly, if they wish to re-engage or
extend the engagement of the Babysitter/Tutor/Homework Helper.
  9. MFH cannot be held responsible for cancellations or no-shows of a Babysitter/Tutor/Homework Helper.
  10. The Client understands that all booking fees are non-transferable and non-refundable.

Payment

  1. All payments between the Client and MFH are to be confidential and cannot be discussed with any Babysitter/Tutor/Homework Helper.
  2. The methods of payment for Booking Fees are –

(i) Electronic or Direct Bank deposit in to the account detailed below,

Account Name: The Melbourne Family Hub

Financial Institution: ANZ

BSB: 013 – 350

Account Number: 292 – 301 – 234

(ii) Online credit card payment, via our website.

  1. A late payment fee of $5.00 per day will be charged for Booking Fees which are not received by their due date.
  2. The payment of Babysitter/Tutor/Homework Helper hourly rates must be made directly by the Client to the Babysitter/Tutor/Homework Helper, in cash or online bank transfer, at the conclusion of each shift. If the Client wishes to pay the Babysitter/Tutor/Homework Helper via online bank transfer, the Client must do so in the presence of the Babysitter/Tutor/Homework Helper before they leave so both parties have witnessed the payment take place.

Cancellation Policy

  1. Babysitting/Tutoring/Homework Help booking fees are non-refundable. 
  2. The Client shall notify MFH of any changes to the start/finish times, dates and duties to be undertaken by the Babysitter/Tutor/Homework Helper at least 24 hours before they commence the arranged work, to avoid payment of any Cancellation Fee. 
  3. If a Client cancels a booking within 24 hours of the Babysitting, Tutoring or Homework Help session, the Client is required to pay a Cancellation Fee (see below). 
  4. The cancellation policy will be enforced upon Client’s at MFH’s discretion.

Babysitting Cancellations

  1. Upon confirmation of a Babysitting booking, if cancellation of the Babysitter is made by you, the Client, with less than 3 hours notice of the start time, the full amount for the booked hours will be charged to you, the Client, as a Cancellation Fee, and forwarded on to your booked Babysitter.
  2. Upon confirmation of a Babysitting booking, if cancellation of the Babysitter is made by you, the Client, within 3 – 8 hours of the start time, the minimum 3 hours will be charged to you, the Client, as a Cancellation Fee, and forwarded on to your booked Babysitter.
  3. Upon confirmation of a Babysitting booking, if cancellation of the Babysitter is made by you, the Client, within 8 – 24 hours of the start time, a $30.00 Cancellation Fee will be charged to you, the Client, and forwarded on to your booked babysitter.

Tutoring Cancellations

  1. For Tutoring/Homework Help cancellations, you must contact us by 4.00pm the day prior to your Tutor/Homework Help arriving, to avoid full payment of the Tutor/Homework Helper’s standard hourly rate. If cancellation of the Tutor/Homework Helper is made by you, the Client, within 24 hours of the start time, a Cancellation Fee equivalent to your Tutor/Homework Helper’s full hourly rate will be charged to you, the Client.

Liability

  1. MFH endeavors to provide the Client with only the most suitable Babysitters/Tutors/Homework Helpers. However, the final decision to approve the suitability of a Babysitter/Tutor/Homework Helper is the sole responsibility of the Client and MFH does not accept any liability for any kind of inconvenience, loss or damage howsoever arising, and whether caused directly or indirectly, from an act or omission of a Babysitter/Tutor/Homework Helper introduced by MFH. 
  2. No warranty is offered in respect to the suitability, honesty, capability or character of any Babysitter/Tutor/Homework Helper introduced by MFH and engaged by the Client. The Babysitter/Tutor/Homework Helper referee contact details can be made available to Clients in confidence for further verification. 
  3. MFH is not responsible for the workplace safety of Babysitter/Tutor/Homework Helper referred to Clients. MFH is not responsible for any damage or breakage, which occurs when Babysitters/Tutors/Homework Helpers, referred by MFH, are in the Client’s premises. Accidents can happen and MFH recommends that all household items (especially valuables) be covered by the Client’s household Contents Insurance. 
  4. MFH reserves the right to use its own discretion with regard to any situation or problem not itemized in its terms.

Indemnities

  1. The Client is liable to indemnify;

(i) MFH against any fine, penalty or loss arising out of any failure to comply with their obligations as an employer of a Babysitter/Tutor/Homework Helper. 

(ii) MFH, and any Babysitter/Tutor/Homework Helper referred by MFH to them, against any loss, injury, damage, cost 
or claims for compensation whatsoever arising out of; any loss of property, any injury, or any act, omission or negligence by MFH.

Privacy

  1. All communication, whether written or oral, and however communicated, shall be confidential between the parties. 
  2. The Client undertakes that the contact details for any Babysitter/Tutor/Homework Helper, engaged by the Client, shall remain confidential, and that such details shall not be made available to any other person, company or private employer without the consent of MFH. 
  3. Information supplied by MFH is confidential and is accepted by the Client on the condition that such information will not be disclosed to third parties. 
  4. Should the Client pass on any information, including contact and/or personal details of the Babysitter/Tutor/Homework Helper, or recommend a Babysitter/Tutor/Homework Helper to a third party resulting in an arrangement of private employment, the Client will be liable to pay additional MFH booking fees, as if the booking had been made by the Client itself and these Terms and Conditions shall apply accordingly. 
  5. All correspondence and records shall be confidential and remain the property of MFH.