The Australian Consumer Law (ACL) is a crucial document which outlines the rights of Australian consumers. Under the ACL, certain activities and services can be considered as recreational activities. It is essential to know whether your business falls under this category, as it will have different effects on your business if unexpected costs or losses arise. This article will explain whether your company is providing recreational activities under the ACL and what this will mean for you.
What are Recreational Activities Under the ACL?
Under the ACL, recreational services are those that involve participation in a sporting activity or a similar leisure activity. It can also include any activity that involves a significant degree of physical exertion or risk for:
- recreation;
- enjoyment; or
- leisure.
If your business offers recreational services, you need to be aware of your responsibilities under the ACL.
Guarantees Under the ACL
The ACL outlines certain guarantees that you must provide customers in all circumstances. Three of these are especially crucial to consider if you run a recreational business.
Firstly, the services your business provides must be fit for the purpose which you told the customer they would be about.
Secondly, you must provide any goods or services with care and skill.
Thirdly, you must provide your goods or services within a reasonable time frame.
However, the ACL allows suppliers of recreational services to limit or exclude their liability in certain circumstances. This means that you may be able to avoid complying with the guarantees listed above.
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How to Protect Your Business
If you run a business which offers recreational activities, you should have a waiver form to provide to customers. A waiver form is a legal document that allows you to limit your legal responsibility for any recreational services you provide.
The waiver form will outline:
- the services you provide;
- who the parties are; and
- that the customer accepts certain risks.
Your customers will need to sign this form before they purchase services from your business. When your clients sign the waiver form, they are effectively waiving their right to sue you in certain circumstances.
However, if a customer suffers a serious injury due to your reckless conduct, they will still be able to hold you legally responsible.
Reckless conduct is conduct that you were aware (or should have been aware) could result in an injury to your customer. If you engage in that conduct despite the risk and without justification, you will have been acting recklessly.
It is important to note that each state in Australia has different requirements for businesses providing ‘recreational activities’. Certain states have a prescribed waiver form that you must use.
Another way to protect your business is to have a robust and comprehensive terms and conditions document to provide to your customers. Both you and your clients must understand each other’s obligations and responsibilities before engaging in any recreational activities.
Key Takeaways
The ACL is a crucial piece of legislation which outlines the rights of consumers. It is essential to check whether your business provides services that are considered recreational activities under the ACL. If so, you should make sure you have a detailed waiver form prepared to limit your legal responsibility. If you have any questions about the ACL or your legal responsibilities, contact LegalVision’s competition lawyers on 1300 544 755 or fill out the form on this page.
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