Version: November 2026
The Recruitment Alternative Pty Ltd | ABN 20 151 689 888 | NZBN 9429030438163
1.1 These Terms and Conditions (Terms) apply to all recruitment services provided by The Recruitment Alternative Pty Ltd (TRA, we, us) to a client (Client, you).
1.2 You accept these Terms when you do any of the following, whichever happens first: (a) sign the acceptance at the end of this document; (b) pay an Engagement Fee; or (c) instruct us, in writing or by email, to commence a Campaign.
1.3 The version of these Terms and the Rate Card in force on the date a Campaign is engaged applies to that Campaign for its whole life, including any extension and any Replacement Campaign. Changes we publish later apply only to Campaigns engaged after the change (see clause 16).
1.4 These Terms, the Rate Card (Schedule 1) and the Package inclusions (Schedule 2) are the entire agreement between us for a Campaign. They replace any purchase-order terms, supplier terms or other conditions you send us unless we agree to them in writing.
Business Day means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday in New South Wales.
Campaign means the recruitment assignment we run for one Role under one Package.
Campaign Period means the standard duration of a Campaign for the relevant Package set out in Schedule 2, starting on the date we begin work.
Candidate means any person we Introduce to you.
Commencement Date means the first day a Candidate performs work for you (or for a Related Party), whether on a permanent, fixed-term, casual, contract, trial or probationary basis.
Engagement Fee means the up-front fee for the relevant Package set out in the Rate Card. It is payable before we start work and is not refundable.
Guarantee Period means the replacement guarantee period for the relevant Package set out in Schedule 2, running from the Commencement Date.
Introduce / Introduction means the provision by us of a Candidate’s name, resume, profile, or other information identifying them, or our arrangement of an interview or meeting between you and a Candidate, in any form.
Package means the Recruit, Recruit+ or Executive Recruit service package described in Schedule 2.
Placement Fee means the fee payable on a Successful Placement, determined by the Package and the TRP band in the Rate Card.
Rate Card means our current schedule of fees, published on our website and reproduced in Schedule 1.
Related Party means any related body corporate, associate, director, officer, employee, contractor, affiliate or client of yours, or any other person to whom you pass a Candidate’s details.
Role means the position described in the brief you give us for a Campaign.
Successful Placement has the meaning in clause 8.
TRP (Total Remuneration Package) has the meaning in clause 4.4.
GST has the meaning in the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 (Cth). All fees are stated in Australian dollars exclusive of GST.
3.1 For each Campaign we will use reasonable endeavours to source, screen and Introduce Candidates who match your brief as closely as possible, and to manage the process through to a Successful Placement. Depending on the Package and the needs of the Campaign, our work may include:
3.2 The specific inclusions for each Package (advertising, campaign length, assessments, replacement guarantee) are set out in Schedule 2.
3.3 Recruitment outcomes depend on the market, the Role, and your remuneration and requirements. We do not guarantee that any Campaign will result in a Successful Placement. The Engagement Fee pays for the work we perform whether or not a placement results.
4.1 Two fees apply to each Campaign:
4.2 The Placement Fee is determined by the Package selected and the TRP band in the Rate Card. TRP bands are inclusive at the upper limit: for example, “up to $100,000” means a TRP of $100,000 or less, and “$100,001 – $150,000” means a TRP above $100,000 and up to and including $150,000.
4.3 The Package for a Campaign is agreed at engagement. Executive Recruit applies to General Manager, C-suite, director and equivalent senior leadership Roles, and its base Placement Fee applies to any Executive Recruit Role with a TRP up to $200,000.
4.4 TRP means the Candidate’s total annual remuneration for the Role in the first 12 months, including base salary, superannuation, all allowances (including vehicle or car allowance), sign-on payments, and guaranteed, target or reasonably expected bonuses and commissions. For part-time Roles, TRP is the actual annual package for the agreed hours.
4.5 The Placement Fee band is based on the TRP actually agreed with the Candidate. If a Candidate is engaged on a TRP in a higher band than the Role was briefed at, the higher band applies. If you do not confirm the agreed TRP within 5 Business Days of our request, we may invoice based on our reasonable estimate.
4.6 A Placement Fee is payable for each Candidate you engage. If you engage two or more Candidates from one Campaign, a separate Placement Fee is payable for each, at the band applicable to each Candidate’s TRP.
4.7 Genuine additional hire discount. Where, within the Campaign Period, you engage a second or subsequent Candidate from the same Campaign for an additional position that is the same Role in the same location as the Role advertised (for example, two Business Development Managers in Brisbane from one Brisbane BDM Campaign), we will apply a 10% discount to the Placement Fee for each additional Candidate. A position in a different location, with materially different duties, seniority or remuneration, or filled after the Campaign Period, is a separate Campaign and requires a new engagement and proposal.
4.8 New Zealand clients. For Clients located in New Zealand, the amounts in the Rate Card apply dollar-for-dollar in New Zealand dollars, and GST (if any) is applied in accordance with the tax law applicable to the supply. TRA is registered in New Zealand under its New Zealand Business Number. These Terms otherwise apply without change.
4.9 Where the Rate Card provides for optional services (for example a Campaign Continuation Fee, Replacement Campaign Fee, or per-Candidate assessments), those fees are payable as set out in the Rate Card.
5.1 The Engagement Fee is invoiced on engagement and must be paid before we commence work. We may withhold commencement until payment is received.
5.2 The Placement Fee is invoiced on, or as soon as practicable after, the Commencement Date (or, if earlier, the date we become aware that a Candidate has been engaged) and is payable within 21 days of the invoice date.
5.3 All other fees (Campaign Continuation Fee, Replacement Campaign Fee, assessment fees, cancellation fees) are payable within 14 days of the invoice date unless the invoice states otherwise.
5.4 Timely payment of the Placement Fee is a condition of the Replacement Guarantee in clause 9.
5.5 If any amount is overdue we may, without limiting our other rights: (a) suspend work on any Campaign for you; (b) charge interest on the overdue amount at 10% per annum, calculated daily; and (c) recover our reasonable costs of collection, including debt-collection agency and legal costs.
5.6 You must pay all amounts in full without set-off or deduction. Any dispute about an invoice must be raised in writing within 14 days of the invoice date, and the undisputed part must still be paid by the due date.
6.1 Each Campaign runs for the Campaign Period for the relevant Package (Schedule 2). If the Role has not been filled by the end of the Campaign Period, we will consult with you about whether the Campaign should be extended.
6.2 If both parties agree the Campaign should continue, you must pay a Campaign Continuation Fee equal to the Engagement Fee for the relevant Package, which extends the Campaign for a further Campaign Period. The Placement Fee remains payable on any Successful Placement during an extension.
6.3 If you do not wish to extend, we will stop work at the end of the Campaign Period and no further fees are payable, other than a Placement Fee if you subsequently engage a Candidate we Introduced (clause 8).
7.1 Once a Campaign commences we incur advertising costs and perform substantial work immediately. If you cancel a Campaign, withdraw the Role, or fill the Role from a source other than TRA (including an internal appointment or another agency) before the Campaign is complete, the following applies in addition to the Engagement Fee already paid:
7.2 For clause 7.1, the Placement Fee for the Role is calculated on the TRP in your brief (or, if an offer has been made, the TRP offered).
7.3 If a Candidate we Introduced is engaged in the Role, or in any other capacity, the full Placement Fee is payable under clause 8 and clause 7.1 does not apply.
7.4 You may ask us to pause a Campaign. If a Campaign is paused for more than 30 days in total, we may treat it as cancelled and clause 7.1 applies based on the stage reached at the time of the pause. Time paused does not extend the Campaign Period unless we agree in writing.
7.5 We may end a Campaign by written notice if you breach these Terms (including by failing to pay), or if you do not respond to our requests for feedback or decisions for more than 10 Business Days. Clause 7.1 then applies as if you had cancelled.
8.1 A Successful Placement occurs, and the Placement Fee becomes payable, when a Candidate we Introduced commences work for you or a Related Party, in any capacity, on any basis (including permanent, fixed-term, part-time, casual, contract, temporary, trial or probationary), whether in the Role advertised or in any other position.
8.2 Introduction protection. Clause 8.1 applies to any engagement of a Candidate that begins within 12 months of our Introduction of that Candidate, whether or not the Campaign has ended, been cancelled or been unsuccessful, and regardless of whether you engage the Candidate directly, through another agency, or through any other route.
8.3 Referral to third parties. If you pass a Candidate’s details to a Related Party or any other person and that person engages the Candidate within 12 months of our Introduction, you are liable for the full Placement Fee as if you had engaged the Candidate yourself.
8.4 Candidates already known to you. If you, or a Related Party, already have a Candidate’s application for the Role, or are already in an active recruitment process with them, when we Introduce that Candidate, you must tell us in writing within 2 Business Days of the Introduction and provide reasonable evidence (for example the dated application). If you do so, no Placement Fee is payable for that Candidate. If you do not, the Candidate is treated as Introduced by us.
8.5 Early departure. If a Candidate leaves or is dismissed within 5 Business Days of the Commencement Date, we will void or credit the Placement Fee invoice for that Candidate and, if the Campaign Period has not expired, continue the Campaign. If the Campaign Period has expired, we will run a further campaign of up to four weeks at no additional Engagement Fee. The Placement Fee will be payable on any subsequent Successful Placement.
8.6 You must tell us in writing within 5 Business Days if you make an offer to, or engage, any Candidate we Introduced, including outside the Campaign.
9.1 If a placed Candidate resigns or is dismissed within the Guarantee Period for their Package, we will run a Replacement Campaign to source a replacement for the same Role, once only for each Successful Placement, provided that all of the following conditions are met:
9.2 The Replacement Guarantee does not apply where the Candidate’s departure is due to or connected with:
9.3 No Placement Fee on replacement. A Replacement Campaign runs for the Campaign Period for the relevant Package and may be extended on payment of the Campaign Continuation Fee. No Placement Fee is payable for the first replacement Candidate you engage in the same Role. A Placement Fee is payable, at the applicable band, if you engage a Candidate from the Replacement Campaign in a different Role, or engage more than one Candidate from it.
9.4 We will use reasonable endeavours to find a suitable replacement but do not guarantee one. No refund of any fee is available if a replacement is not found, or if you choose not to proceed with a Replacement Campaign.
9.5 A replacement Candidate is covered by the Replacement Guarantee only for the balance of the original Guarantee Period, and is not eligible for a further replacement.
9.6 If we do not place a replacement Candidate within the Replacement Campaign (including any paid extension), we will give you a 25% discount on the Placement Fee of your next Campaign with us, provided that Campaign is engaged within 12 months. The discount is not transferable, not redeemable for cash and cannot be combined with any other offer.
10.1 To allow us to run an effective Campaign, you must:
10.2 Delays in feedback or decisions do not extend the Campaign Period. Where your delay causes the Campaign Period to expire, clause 6 applies.
11.1 You make the final decision on which Candidate, if any, to engage. Our shortlisting and recommendations are provided to assist that decision and do not replace your own assessment.
11.2 We will conduct reference checks where referees are available and willing to participate. Reference checks are limited to the information referees choose to give us. We are not responsible for any untrue, incomplete or misleading statement made by a Candidate, referee, educational institution or other third party, or for verifying a Candidate’s qualifications unless you have engaged us in writing to do so.
11.3 We do not conduct skills testing unless you request it. Where you do, we will administer readily available tests through third-party online providers on your behalf. We do not control, and are not responsible for, the content, accuracy or interpretation of test results.
11.4 You are wholly responsible for satisfying yourself as to a Candidate’s suitability for the Role before engaging them.
12.1 We can arrange national police checks and psychometric assessments for Candidates. Recruit+ and Executive Recruit include police checks or psychometric assessments for up to 5 Candidates per Campaign. For Recruit Campaigns, and for Candidates beyond the included number in other Packages, each check or assessment is charged at $199 + GST per Candidate.
12.2 Checks and assessments are conducted through accredited third-party providers and, for police checks, state and national databases. They are conducted only with the Candidate’s informed consent, which the Candidate may withdraw. We do not warrant the accuracy, completeness or currency of any result.
12.3 Results are provided to you in confidence for the sole purpose of assessing the Candidate for the Role. You must not download, copy, distribute or share results, must store them securely, and must handle them in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and any applicable spent-convictions and anti-discrimination laws. Where a result leads you not to proceed with a Candidate, you are responsible for any obligations you have to inform the Candidate.
13.1 Recruit Campaigns are limited to Candidates who already hold the right to work in Australia (or New Zealand, as applicable). Candidates requiring visa sponsorship are not sourced under the Recruit Package.
13.2 For Recruit+ and Executive Recruit Campaigns, we may Introduce Candidates who require sponsorship and can provide general guidance on the process, and can refer you to our immigration partner. Our immigration partner is an independent registered migration agent or law firm; any engagement is directly between you and them on their terms, and their fees are separate from ours.
13.3 TRA is not a registered migration agent and does not give immigration advice. We are not responsible for visa outcomes, processing times or the accuracy of immigration information provided by third parties. The Placement Fee is payable on the Commencement Date of a sponsored Candidate in the same way as any other Candidate.
14.1 All Candidate information we provide (including resumes, profiles, interview notes, references, and check or assessment results) is confidential. You must use it only to assess the Candidate for the Role, disclose it only to people directly involved in the recruitment decision, and keep it secure. You are responsible for any use or disclosure by your personnel and Related Parties.
14.2 You must not contact a Candidate’s current employer or referees without the Candidate’s consent, and must not use Candidate information to solicit or approach the Candidate for any purpose other than the Role.
14.3 Each party must comply with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles in handling personal information exchanged under these Terms. Our Privacy Policy is available on our website.
14.4 We will keep your confidential information (including the fact and details of the Role where you ask us to advertise confidentially) confidential, except as needed to run the Campaign, as you authorise, or as required by law.
14.5 Either party may disclose confidential information to its professional advisers, or where required by law or a court.
15.1 Nothing in these Terms excludes, restricts or modifies any guarantee, right or remedy you have under the Australian Consumer Law or any other law that cannot lawfully be excluded.
15.2 To the extent permitted by law, our liability for breach of a guarantee that cannot be excluded is limited, at our option, to re-supplying the services or paying the cost of having the services re-supplied.
15.3 To the extent permitted by law, our total liability to you arising out of or in connection with a Campaign, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), statute or otherwise, is limited to the total fees you have paid us for that Campaign.
15.4 To the extent permitted by law, we are not liable for any indirect or consequential loss, loss of profit, revenue, business or opportunity, or for any loss, cost or damage arising from: (a) any act, omission, conduct or performance of a Candidate before or after the Commencement Date; (b) any information provided by a Candidate, referee or third party; (c) the results of any background check, assessment or test; or (d) any advice or service provided by a third party we refer you to.
15.5 You indemnify us against any claim, loss or cost we suffer arising from your breach of clause 10, 12, 13 or 14, or from your engagement or treatment of a Candidate, except to the extent we caused it.
16.1 We may update these Terms, the Rate Card and Package inclusions from time to time by publishing the updated version on our website. Updates apply to Campaigns engaged after publication. They do not change the fees or terms for a Campaign already engaged (clause 1.3).
16.2 Current pricing is always available on our website or by contacting us. Please check it before engaging a new Campaign.
17.1 Disputes. If a dispute arises, each party’s senior representatives will meet (in person or by video) within 10 Business Days of written notice and attempt in good faith to resolve it before starting any proceedings, other than for urgent relief or debt recovery.
17.2 Governing law. These Terms are governed by the laws of New South Wales, Australia, and the parties submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of its courts, wherever the Client is located.
17.3 Notices. Notices may be given by email to the addresses each party nominates, and are taken to be received on the next Business Day after sending.
17.4 Assignment. You may not assign these Terms without our written consent. We may assign or novate them to a related entity or a purchaser of our business on notice to you.
17.5 Severability and waiver. If any part of these Terms is unenforceable it is severed and the rest continues. A failure to enforce a right is not a waiver of it.
17.6 Relationship. We act as an independent contractor. Nothing in these Terms creates a partnership, agency or employment relationship between us, or between us and any Candidate you engage.
All fees exclude GST. Fees are in Australian dollars for Australian Clients and apply dollar-for-dollar in New Zealand dollars for New Zealand Clients (clause 4.8). The Placement Fee band is determined by the Candidate’s TRP (clause 4). Bands are inclusive at the upper limit.
| Package / fee | TRP band | Amount (+ GST) |
|---|---|---|
| Recruit | ||
| Engagement Fee | — | $895 |
| Placement Fee | Up to $100,000 | $3,900 |
| Placement Fee | $100,001 – $150,000 | $4,500 |
| Placement Fee | Over $150,000 | $5,000 |
| Recruit+ (management and hard-to-fill roles) | ||
| Engagement Fee | — | $2,495 |
| Placement Fee | Up to $150,000 | $5,000 |
| Placement Fee | $150,001 – $200,000 | $5,500 |
| Placement Fee | Over $200,000 | $6,000 |
| Executive Recruit (General Manager, C-suite, directorship) | ||
| Engagement Fee | — | $3,000 |
| Placement Fee | Up to $200,000 | $7,000 |
| Placement Fee | $200,001 – $250,000 | $8,500 |
| Placement Fee | Over $250,000 | $9,000 |
| Optional and conditional fees | ||
| Campaign Continuation Fee (clause 6) | extends the Campaign by a further Campaign Period | Equal to the Engagement Fee for the Package |
| Replacement Campaign Fee (clause 9) | per Replacement Campaign; no Placement Fee on the replacement hire | Equal to the Engagement Fee for the Package |
| Genuine additional hire – same Role, same location, within the Campaign Period (clause 4.7) | per additional Candidate | 10% off the Placement Fee |
| Police check or psychometric assessment (clause 12) | per Candidate, where not included | $199 |
| Cancellation after shortlisting / interviews (clause 7) | — | 50% of Placement Fee |
| Cancellation after offer made (clause 7) | — | 75% of Placement Fee |
| Inclusion | Recruit | Recruit+ | Executive Recruit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campaign Period | 4 weeks | 8 weeks | 3 months |
| Extension available | Yes – Campaign Continuation Fee | Yes – Campaign Continuation Fee | Yes – Campaign Continuation Fee |
| Job advertising | 2 Seek or LinkedIn ads with Seek Premium; multiple job boards | 4 Seek or LinkedIn ads with Seek Premium; multiple job boards | 4 Seek or LinkedIn ads with Seek Premium; multiple job boards |
| Social media | Organic social posts | Paid, targeted social media campaigns | Paid, targeted social media campaigns |
| Database and talent-pool search | Included | Included + Sourcing | Included + Sourcing |
| Dedicated Campaign Manager | Included | Included | Included |
| Job brief, ad writing, screening, preliminary interviews, shortlisting, interview scheduling, ongoing campaign review | Included | Included | Included |
| Reference checks | Included where referees available | Included where referees available | Included where referees available |
| Police check or psychometric assessment | Optional – $199 + GST per Candidate | Included for up to 3 Candidates; $199 + GST each thereafter | Included for up to 5 Candidates; $199 + GST each thereafter |
| International / sponsored candidates | Not included | Guidance provided; immigration partner referral available | Guidance provided; immigration partner referral available |
| Replacement Guarantee (Guarantee Period) | 60 days | 90 days | 90 days |
| Replacement Campaign Fee | $895 – no Placement Fee on replacement | $2,495 – no Placement Fee on replacement | $3,000 – no Placement Fee on replacement |
I confirm that I am authorised to bind the organisation named below, and that I have read, understood and agree to these Terms and Conditions of Service, including Schedules 1 and 2.
Organisation: _______________________________________
Name: _______________________________________
Position: _______________________________________
Email: _______________________________________
Signature: _______________________________________
Date: _______________________________________
