Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using AusPlates ("the Service"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service and our Privacy Policy, which forms part of this agreement. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use the Service.

2. Description of Service

AusPlates is a marketplace platform that connects buyers and sellers of personalized number plates in Australia. We facilitate transactions but are not a party to the actual sale between users.

3. User Accounts

3.1 Registration

• You must be at least 18 years old to create an account
• You must provide accurate and complete information
• You are responsible for maintaining the security of your account credentials
• You may only create and maintain one account per person. Multiple accounts held by the same individual are prohibited
• You may not share your account with others

3.2 Duplicate Accounts

AusPlates may use technical and administrative measures to detect duplicate accounts. Where duplicate accounts are identified, all duplicate accounts will be terminated and only the original account will be retained. Any listings created on duplicate accounts will be forfeited and will not be transferred to the original account.

3.3 Communications

By creating an account, you consent to receiving operational communications from AusPlates, including but not limited to email notifications for new messages, listing updates, boost expiry notices, security alerts, and service announcements. These communications are necessary for the functioning of the Service and are not marketing messages. You may manage your notification preferences in your account settings.

3.4 Account Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these terms or engage in fraudulent activity.

4. Listings and Transactions

4.1 Seller Responsibilities

• You must have legal ownership or authorization to sell the number plate
• The plate must be a legally registered custom plate in an Australian state or territory
• All listings must include at least one photograph of the actual physical plate. Screenshots, plate configurator images, stock photos, or digitally generated images are not accepted
• All listings must be accurate and not misleading
• You must comply with all applicable Australian state and territory regulations
• You are responsible for transferring the plate registration to the buyer
• Users may hold a maximum of 20 active listings at any time
• A plate that has been marked as sold or removed may not be relisted for a period of 30 days

4.2 Buyer Responsibilities

• You are responsible for verifying plate availability and eligibility in your state/territory
• You must complete registration transfer through the appropriate authority
• Payment obligations are binding once you commit to purchase

4.3 Platform Role

• AusPlates is a marketplace platform only
• We do not verify ownership or legal status of plates
• We do not guarantee plate availability or transfer success
• Disputes between buyers and sellers must be resolved directly

5. Fees and Payment

5.1 Founding Member Promotion

The Founding Member Promotional Period runs from the launch of AusPlates until April 30, 2026 ("Promotional Period"). During the Promotional Period:

• All listings created on or before April 30, 2026 are free of charge and will remain free for the lifetime of that listing, until the plate is sold or the listing is otherwise removed ("Founding Member Listings")
• There is no limit to the number of free listings a user may create during the Promotional Period, subject to the maximum active listing limit set out in Section 4.1
• AusPlates may, at its sole discretion, grant complimentary promotional boosts (7-day or 30-day featured placement) to selected listings during the Promotional Period. Any boosts granted during the Promotional Period will remain active until their time period expires
• All listings created during the Promotional Period will receive complimentary promotion on AusPlates social media channels

Founding Member benefits apply only to listings created during the Promotional Period. Listings created after April 30, 2026 are subject to standard fees regardless of when the user's account was created.

5.2 Standard Listing Fees

• From May 1, 2026, a listing fee of AUD $9.99 applies to each new standard listing
• Optional promotional boost packages are available at prices displayed at the time of purchase
• Listing fees are one-time charges per listing and are non-refundable once a listing is published
• We reserve the right to modify listing fees and boost pricing with 30 days' notice to users

5.3 Commissions

AusPlates does not charge commissions or transaction fees on sales completed through the platform. Sellers retain 100% of the agreed sale price.

5.4 Promotional Features

• All listings may be promoted on AusPlates social media channels at no additional cost to the seller
• AusPlates may, at its sole discretion, provide complimentary promotional features to any listing at any time, including but not limited to featured placement within the app and paid social media advertising
• Promotional features are provided on a discretionary, non-guaranteed basis and may be modified or discontinued at any time without notice

5.5 Payment Processing

• Payments are processed through secure third-party providers (Stripe, Apple Pay)
• All fees are clearly disclosed before any payment commitment
• Refund policies are subject to individual seller terms and applicable consumer law

6. Prohibited Conduct

6.1 Prohibited Activities

You may not:

• Post fraudulent or misleading listings
• List plates that you do not legally own or have authorization to sell
• Use another person's photographs or content in your listings
• Create multiple accounts or use duplicate accounts to circumvent listing limits or exploit promotional benefits
• Manipulate listings (including marking as sold and relisting) to exploit promotional features or boost allocations
• Use the Service for illegal purposes
• Harass, threaten, or abuse other users
• Attempt to circumvent platform fees
• Use automated systems to scrape or access the Service
• Interfere with the proper functioning of the Service

6.2 Reporting

Users may report suspected fraudulent or prohibited listings by contacting support@ausplates.app. AusPlates will investigate reports in good faith and take appropriate action at its sole discretion.

6.3 Enforcement

AusPlates reserves the right to remove any listing at its sole discretion and without prior notice. AusPlates reserves the right to deny promotional benefits to listings it reasonably believes are created to exploit the promotional system. Violations of these terms may result in listing removal, account suspension, or immediate account termination depending on the severity and nature of the violation.

7. Content Standards

7.1 Prohibited Content

All content posted on AusPlates, including listing descriptions, photographs, and messages, must comply with the following standards. You may not post:

• Explicit, sexually suggestive, or NSFW images or content of any kind
• Profane, vulgar, or obscene language in listing descriptions or communications
• Hate speech, discriminatory language, racial slurs, or content that promotes violence or hostility toward any individual or group
• Threats, harassment, or intimidating language directed at any person

7.2 Listing Content Requirements

• Listing prices must accurately reflect the asking price for the plate. Misleading pricing (such as listing at a low price to gain visibility while stating a higher price in the description) is prohibited
• Listing descriptions must not contain personal contact information including phone numbers, email addresses, social media handles, or website URLs. All communication must occur through AusPlates in-app messaging
• Listing descriptions must not contain advertising, promotional material, or links to external websites or services

7.3 Offensive Plate Combinations

AusPlates reserves the right to remove listings for plate combinations that are offensive, discriminatory, or otherwise inappropriate, regardless of whether the plate is legally registered. This determination is made at AusPlates' sole discretion.

7.4 Content Moderation

AusPlates uses automated and manual moderation to enforce content standards. Content that violates these standards may be removed without notice. Repeated violations may result in account suspension or termination under Section 6.3.

8. Intellectual Property

8.1 Platform Content

All content, trademarks, and intellectual property on AusPlates are owned by us or our licensors.

8.2 User Content

• You retain ownership of content you post
• You grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, display, reproduce, and distribute your content on the platform and on third-party social media platforms (including but not limited to Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and X) for the purpose of promoting your listing and the AusPlates service
• You represent that you have the right to post your content

9. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability

9.1 Service Availability

AusPlates does not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free access to the Service. The Service may be temporarily unavailable due to scheduled maintenance, software updates, server outages, third-party service disruptions, or other circumstances beyond our control. AusPlates is not liable for any loss or damage arising from the unavailability of the Service.

9.2 No Warranty

THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED.

9.3 Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, AUSPLATES SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING FROM YOUR USE OF THE SERVICE.

9.4 Australian Consumer Law

Nothing in these terms excludes, restricts, or modifies any consumer guarantee, right, or remedy under the Australian Consumer Law that cannot be lawfully excluded.

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless AusPlates from any claims, damages, or expenses arising from your use of the Service or violation of these terms.

11. Dispute Resolution

11.1 Governing Law

These terms are governed by the laws of Victoria, Australia.

11.2 Disputes

Any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Victoria, Australia.

12. Force Majeure

AusPlates shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performing its obligations under these terms where such failure or delay results from circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, acts of government, internet or telecommunications failures, power outages, cyberattacks, pandemics, or disruptions to third-party services on which the platform relies.

13. General Provisions

13.1 Severability

If any provision of these terms is found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

13.2 Entire Agreement

These Terms of Service, together with the Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and AusPlates regarding your use of the Service and supersede all prior agreements, representations, and understandings.

13.3 Assignment

AusPlates may assign or transfer its rights and obligations under these terms to a third party, including in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, without your prior consent. You may not assign or transfer your rights or obligations under these terms without our prior written consent.

14. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these terms at any time. Continued use of the Service after changes constitutes acceptance of the modified terms.

15. Contact

For questions about these Terms of Service:

• Email: support@ausplates.app
• Website: https://ausplates.app/contact