Terms of Service

These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your use of the ParishLocal website and platform at parishlocal.com.au (“the Platform”). Please read them carefully before registering as a parish, submitting a business listing, or otherwise using our services.

By using the Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, please do not use the Platform.

1. About ParishLocal

ParishLocal is an Australian platform that creates and manages online business directories for church communities. Parish directories are hosted at parishlocal.com.au under individual parish subpages. ParishLocal facilitates listing fee payments from businesses and remits income to the relevant parish. Each paid listing generates ongoing income for the parish. ParishLocal deducts a management fee to operate the platform, process payments and administer the directory.

ParishLocal is not a religious organisation. We provide a commercial platform service to church communities and businesses.

2. Parish Administrators

2.1 Registering your parish
By registering your church community with ParishLocal, you confirm that you have the authority to enter into this arrangement on behalf of the parish, or that you have obtained the necessary approval from your parish priest or governing body.

2.2 What ParishLocal provides
ParishLocal will:

• Create and host a dedicated parish directory page
• Manage business listing applications, review, and publication
• Process listing fee payments through Stripe
• Send renewal reminders to listed businesses
• Remit the parish’s share of listing fees quarterly, accompanied by an itemised report
• Provide promotional materials and launch support

2.3 Parish responsibilities
The parish agrees to:

• Promote the directory to its community using the materials provided
• Notify ParishLocal promptly of any concerns about a listed business
• Provide accurate banking details for income remittance
• Not represent listed businesses as formally endorsed or guaranteed by the parish

2.4 Income and fees
The parish receives the majority of each listing fee collected. ParishLocal deducts a management fee per listing to cover platform operation, payment processing, and administration. Current fee splits are published on the For Parishes page and may be updated with reasonable notice. Stripe processing fees are absorbed by ParishLocal and are not deducted from the parish’s share.

2.5 Payment timing
Parish income is remitted quarterly at the end of March, June, September, and December, for all payments received and processed in the preceding quarter.

2.6 Termination
Either party may terminate the parish’s participation in ParishLocal with 30 days written notice. On termination, the parish’s directory page will be taken down and any outstanding income will be remitted at the next scheduled quarterly payment date.

3. Businesses

3.1 Applying for a listing
Submitting a listing application does not guarantee publication. All applications are reviewed by ParishLocal, in consultation with the relevant parish where appropriate, before a listing goes live. ParishLocal may decline an application where, in its reasonable opinion, the listing is unsuitable for the directory, inconsistent with the values of a church community, incomplete, misleading, or otherwise inappropriate. ParishLocal is not required to provide detailed reasons for its decision.

3.2 Listing content
By submitting a listing application, you:

• Confirm that all information provided is accurate and not misleading
• Grant ParishLocal permission to publish your business name, contact details, description, category, and photo on the relevant parish directory page
• Agree not to use your listing to promote content that is unlawful, offensive, or inconsistent with the values of a church community

3.3 Listing fees
Listing fees are charged annually and are generally non-refundable once a listing has been published, except where required by Australian Consumer Law or other applicable law. Fees are processed securely through Stripe. A receipt is issued automatically at the time of payment.

3.4 Renewals
Listings run for 12 months from the date of payment. You will receive renewal reminders before your listing expires. If you choose not to renew, your listing will be unpublished at expiry.

3.5 Listing removal
ParishLocal or the parish may request removal of a listing at any time if the business:

• Provides false or misleading information
• Receives substantiated complaints from parishioners following the complaints process in Section 6
• Conducts itself in a manner inconsistent with the values of the church community
• Ceases to operate

In cases of removal due to conduct concerns, no refund will be issued for the remaining listing period, except where required by Australian Consumer Law or other applicable law.

3.6 No endorsement
A listing on a ParishLocal directory does not constitute a formal endorsement, recommendation, or guarantee by the parish, by ParishLocal, or by any individual. Parishioners are encouraged to make their own enquiries before engaging any listed business. The “Community Recommended” badge indicates that a parishioner has personally recommended the business — it does not represent a formal parish endorsement.

4. Parishioners

4.1 Browsing the directory
Parishioners may browse parish directories freely without creating an account. No personal information is collected from directory browsers.

4.2 Recommending a business
By submitting a business recommendation, you:

• Confirm the recommendation is based on your genuine personal experience with the business
• Will be asked at the time of submission whether you consent to your first name and parish being displayed publicly on the listing, or whether you prefer to remain anonymous. Either choice is valid and does not affect whether the recommendation is used
• Understand that submitting a recommendation does not guarantee the business will be listed

ParishLocal and the parish reserve the right to review, edit, or decline to use any recommendation submitted.

4.3 No liability for listed businesses
ParishLocal and the parish are not responsible for the quality of work, conduct, or services provided by any business listed in the directory. Parishioners engage listed businesses at their own risk and should undertake their own due diligence.

5. Intellectual Property

All content on parishlocal.com.au — including text, design, graphics, and code — is owned by or licensed to ParishLocal. You may not reproduce, distribute, or adapt any part of the Platform without our written consent.

Business listing content (descriptions, photos, contact details) remains the intellectual property of the business. By submitting a listing, you grant ParishLocal a non-exclusive licence to publish and display that content on the Platform for the duration of the listing.

6. Complaints About Listed Businesses

Complaints about listed businesses may be submitted to ParishLocal by email at hello@parishlocal.com.au. On receiving a complaint, ParishLocal may:

• Review the complaint and consult the relevant parish contact
• Contact the business for a response
• Decide whether to retain, suspend, or remove the listing

ParishLocal will acknowledge complaints within 5 business days and aim to resolve them within 30 days. ParishLocal’s decision regarding listing status is final.

7. Disclaimers

ParishLocal provides the directory platform on an “as is” basis. We do not warrant that:

• The Platform will be available at all times without interruption
• Information provided by listed businesses is accurate or current
• Any business listed will meet your expectations or requirements

Nothing in these Terms excludes, restricts, or modifies any rights or remedies that cannot be excluded under Australian Consumer Law or other applicable law.

8. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, ParishLocal’s liability in connection with the Platform is limited as follows:

• In the case of a paying business customer, liability is limited to the amount paid by that business for its listing in the 12 months preceding the claim
• For parish administrators, parishioners, and other non-paying users, liability is limited to the maximum extent permitted by law

ParishLocal is not liable for any indirect, consequential, or special loss or damage of any kind. Nothing in these Terms excludes, restricts, or modifies any rights or remedies that cannot be excluded under Australian Consumer Law or other applicable law.

9. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of Victoria, Australia. Any disputes arising under these Terms will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Victoria.

10. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. Continued use of the Platform after changes are published constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms. We will update the “Last updated” date at the top of this page when changes are made.

For material changes affecting parishes or businesses with active listings, we will provide at least 30 days notice by email before the changes take effect.

11. Contact