Terms of Service

1. The Service

Stagex provides a platform for Australian trade businesses to manage jobs, process milestone-based escrow payments, access a contractor marketplace, and use AI-powered business tools.

• You must be at least 18 years old and capable of entering a binding contract under Australian law.
• You must provide accurate registration information including a valid ABN for business accounts.
• You are responsible for all activity under your account and for maintaining credential confidentiality.

2. Escrow Terms

2.1 How Escrow Works

Stagex provides milestone-based escrow functionality. Clients deposit milestone amounts before work begins. Funds are held in a designated trust account and are not commingled with Stagex's operational funds.

2.2 Milestone Release

Funds are released to the contractor upon: (a) client approval of the completed milestone; (b) automatic release upon expiry of the review period (default 72 hours after completion submission, unless a dispute is raised); or (c) resolution of a dispute per Section 4.

2.3 Evidence Requirements

To request milestone release, contractors must submit supporting evidence (photos, sign-off sheets, completion certificates) through the platform. Stagex does not independently verify the accuracy or quality of submitted evidence.

3. Fees

Stagex charges a flat transaction fee of 1.6% on funds released through the Escrow Service (minimum $5 AUD per fee-bearing transaction), deducted from the released amount. The first $30,000 of cumulative escrow funding on each job is fee-free; the fee applies only to amounts above $30,000 per job. The rate is the same on every subscription plan. This is in addition to payment processing fees charged by Stripe.

3.1 Subscription Plans

• Free: $0/mo — up to 3 active jobs.
• Professional: $59/mo ($49/mo billed annually) — unlimited jobs, Xero integration.
• Business: $119/mo ($99/mo billed annually) — AI Copilot, white label, API access.
• Enterprise: custom subscription pricing with dedicated support and SLA guarantee. The transaction fee in Section 3 applies to all plans.

All prices in AUD inclusive of GST. Subscriptions are billed monthly or annually in advance. We reserve the right to modify pricing with at least 30 days written notice.

4. Dispute Process

If a client raises a dispute before the review period expires:

1. Release of funds is frozen.
2. Both parties have 14 calendar days to submit documentation and their position via the platform.
3. Stagex reviews submissions in good faith and issues a determination within 10 business days.
4. The determination is binding for escrow release purposes but does not constitute legal adjudication. Either party may pursue independent legal remedies.

5. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by the Australian Consumer Law (ACL):

• Stagex's total aggregate liability is limited to the greater of: (a) total subscription fees paid in the 12 months preceding the claim; or (b) AUD $100.
• Stagex is not liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages, loss of profits, revenue, data, or goodwill.
• Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits rights under the ACL that cannot be lawfully excluded.

6. Acceptable Use

You agree not to use the Services to:

• Violate any applicable law or regulation.
• Submit false, misleading, or fraudulent information including fake compliance documents.
• Reverse engineer, scrape, or create derivative works from the platform.
• Transmit malware, spam, or harmful content.
• Facilitate money laundering, tax evasion, or financial crime.
• Impersonate any person or entity.

7. Intellectual Property

The Services and all related intellectual property are owned by Stagex. You retain ownership of data you submit. By uploading content, you grant Stagex a worldwide, royalty-free licence to host and process it solely to provide the Services.

Stagex's core technology is protected by provisional patent applications lodged with IP Australia and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Patent pending.

8. Termination

• You may cancel your subscription at any time. Access continues until the end of the billing period.
• We may suspend or terminate your account immediately for material breach, fraud, or non-payment after a 7-day grace period.
• After termination, data is retained for 90 days (for export), then deleted subject to legal retention requirements.
• Escrow funds held at termination are processed per the original transaction terms.

9. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of New South Wales, Australia. You and Stagex submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of New South Wales and the Federal Court of Australia sitting in Sydney.

Before initiating legal proceedings, both parties agree to engage in good-faith negotiation for at least 30 days. If unresolved, either party may refer the dispute to mediation through the Australian Disputes Centre before commencing litigation.

10. Contact