Terms and Conditions of Entry

These Terms and Conditions govern registration for and participation in the AABC Adult Ballet Competition & Festival 2027, including the Sunday competition, onstage warm-up, Friday Repertoire Masterclasses, Saturday ABC Training Experience and any other activity included in an entrant's confirmed booking (the Event).

Paid registrations are not yet open. These Terms may be updated before registration opens. The dated version accepted by an entrant during paid registration will form part of that entrant's booking.

Please read these Terms before registering. By completing paid registration, an entrant confirms that they have read and accepted these Terms, the AABC 2027 Competition Rules, the AABC Scoring and Awards Framework and the Adult Ballet Centre Privacy Policy.

Nothing in these Terms excludes, restricts or modifies any consumer guarantee, right or remedy that cannot lawfully be excluded, restricted or modified under the Australian Consumer Law or another applicable law.

Refund policy at a glance

If an entrant withdraws on or before the published Withdrawal Deadline: AABC will refund 40% of the fees for the cancelled part of the booking and retain 60% toward reasonable costs already incurred or committed and the capacity reserved for that entry.

If an entrant withdraws after the published Withdrawal Deadline, does not attend or is not ready to perform: no entrant-initiated refund, credit or transfer is available, except where required by law.

If AABC cancels a purchased service or makes a major change: the entrant will receive the remedy required by Australian Consumer Law. Where AABC chooses to cancel and does not provide an acceptable replacement, this will generally be a refund of the fees paid for the cancelled service.

This summary must be read with sections 5 and 7 below.

1. Eligibility and authority to enter

1.   An entrant must be at least 18 years old on the competition date.

2.   Each entrant must complete and accept their own registration and personal risk acknowledgement. A teacher, studio or group representative may assist but cannot accept the risk acknowledgement on another adult entrant's behalf.

3.   The entrant confirms that all information supplied is accurate, complete and not misleading, including their age, training history, division, performance details, ensemble members, relevant injuries or health restrictions and accessibility requirements.

4.   Dancers currently engaged as full-time professional company members or under a regular professional dance performance contract are not eligible. Former professional dancers and dancers with vocational, pre-professional, teaching or occasional paid-performance experience must disclose that experience and enter the appropriate division.

5.   AABC may request reasonable clarification or evidence to confirm eligibility or division placement. AABC may refuse or cancel an entry based on materially false, incomplete or misleading information, subject to applicable law.

2. Formation of the booking

1.   Registering interest does not reserve a place and does not create a paid booking.

2.   A booking is confirmed only when the official registration form and required declarations have been completed, the required payment or first approved instalment has been processed, and AABC has issued written confirmation.

3.   Entry is subject to capacity. AABC may close a division, section or festival activity before the published closing date.

4.   The booking includes the entrant's confirmed selections, these Terms, the Competition Rules, the Scoring and Awards Framework, the Privacy Policy and the event information disclosed before payment.

5.   If documents conflict, the entrant's written booking confirmation prevails for the specific services purchased, followed by these Terms and then the Competition Rules.

3. Fees and payment

1.   All fees are in Australian dollars and include GST and compulsory charges unless clearly stated otherwise before payment.

2.   Each competitor must pay one Dancer Registration Fee and the applicable fee for every performance entered. Every member of a pas de deux, duo, trio or group must register individually and pay the fees applicable to their own entry.

3.   Optional festival activities are charged separately unless expressly included in the booking confirmation.

4.   Where an instalment plan is offered, the schedule displayed and accepted during checkout forms part of the booking. The entrant remains responsible for all amounts due under the applicable cancellation policy.

5.   If an instalment fails, AABC will provide reasonable notice and an opportunity to correct payment. If it remains unpaid, AABC may cancel the unpaid part of the booking and apply section 5 to amounts paid and payable, to the extent permitted by law.

6.   AABC may recover a reasonable third-party cost caused by a dishonoured or reversed payment only where that cost was actually incurred and disclosed. AABC will not impose an undisclosed penalty.

4. Why fees are committed early

AABC is a capacity-limited, professionally produced event. From the time an entry is accepted, AABC begins allocating and committing costs for venue hire, theatre and technical services, adjudicators, staffing, programming, registration systems, payment processing, competitor administration, accreditation, certificates, music management, production and the capacity reserved for the entrant.

The cancellation policy is intended to recognise these base commitments. It is not intended to operate as a penalty or remove any statutory right.

5. Entrant cancellation, withdrawal and refunds

5.1 How to withdraw

1.   The entrant must submit a cancellation or withdrawal request in writing to contact@adultballetcentre.com.

2.   The request takes effect when received by AABC. The entrant should retain AABC's acknowledgement as confirmation.

5.2 Withdrawal on or before the deadline

1.   The Withdrawal Deadline will be shown before payment and in the booking confirmation.

2.   If written notice is received on or before that deadline, AABC will refund 40% of the fees for the cancelled part of the booking and retain 60% as the agreed cancellation charge toward reasonable committed costs, unavoidable loss and the capacity reserved for the entry.

3.   For an instalment booking, the entrant's total liability for the cancelled component will be 60% of its full price. AABC will refund any amount paid above 60%, or the entrant must pay any outstanding amount required to bring the total paid to 60%.

4.   If only one performance or festival activity is cancelled, the calculation applies only to the fee allocated to that component. The Dancer Registration Fee remains subject to this policy unless the entire competition booking is cancelled.

5.   This policy applies to change of mind, injury, illness, insufficient preparation, work or family commitments, relocation, personal travel disruption and other circumstances not caused by AABC.

5.3 Withdrawal after the deadline and non-attendance

1.   After the Withdrawal Deadline, no entrant-initiated refund, credit or transfer is available and any outstanding instalments remain payable, except where required by law.

2.   No refund, credit or transfer is available if an entrant does not attend, arrives after the required call time, misses an activity or performance, does not bring required items, or is not ready or eligible to perform because they have not met the published requirements.

5.4 Medical circumstances

1.   Injury, illness or a medical recommendation not to participate does not automatically create a right to a refund beyond this section where AABC remains ready and able to provide the service.

2.   In exceptional circumstances, AABC may consider a credit, transfer or alternative arrangement, but is not obliged to offer one unless required by law. A discretionary decision does not create a precedent.

3.   AABC may request limited supporting information reasonably necessary to assess a request. Entrants should not send detailed medical records unless specifically requested.

5.5 Statutory rights and processing

1.   The voluntary-withdrawal policy does not apply where AABC cancels the service, makes a major change, fails to meet an applicable consumer guarantee, or the entrant otherwise has a non-excludable right to another remedy.

2.   Any amount retained must be reasonably connected with AABC's legitimate committed costs and unavoidable loss. AABC will not recover the same loss twice and will comply with applicable law.

3.   Approved refunds will normally be returned to the original payment method within 10 business days. Payment-provider processing time is outside AABC's control.

6. Transfers, substitutions and entry changes

1.   Individual registration fees and solo entries are personal and cannot be sold or transferred to another person.

2.   A replacement in a pas de deux, duo, trio or group requires prior written approval and must be requested by the published Change Deadline. The replacement dancer must separately meet all eligibility, registration, payment and risk-acceptance requirements.

3.   The withdrawal of one ensemble member does not automatically cancel or create a refund right for other members. Remaining dancers are responsible for confirming whether the work can proceed in an approved section or with an approved replacement.

4.   A change is confirmed only when AABC confirms it in writing. AABC may decline a change that affects eligibility, safety, capacity, programming or theatre operations.

5.   If a change alters the number of performers, AABC may reclassify the section and adjust the applicable fee. Additional amounts must be paid by the stated deadline. Any refund is governed by section 5.

7. Cancellation, postponement or change by AABC

7.1 Cancellation or major change within AABC's control

1.   If AABC chooses to cancel a purchased service and does not provide an acceptable replacement, AABC will refund the AABC fees paid for that cancelled service.

2.   If AABC makes a major change, the entrant will receive the remedy required by Australian Consumer Law. Depending on the circumstances, this may include accepting the changed service, transferring to a reasonable replacement or receiving a refund for the affected service.

3.   A major change may include one that substantially alters the nature, date or location of the purchased service. Its practical effect on the entrant will be considered.

7.2 Reasonable operational changes

AABC may make reasonable operational changes that do not substantially alter the purchased service, including changes to the running order, session time, adjudicator, teacher, staff member, class allocation, backstage procedure or the combination or separation of sections according to entry numbers. A refund is not available solely because of a minor operational change where the purchased service is still substantially provided.

7.3 Circumstances outside AABC's reasonable control

1.   If the Event is prevented, made unsafe or materially affected by government action, emergency, natural disaster, dangerous weather, epidemic, venue closure, industrial action, utility or infrastructure failure, or another circumstance AABC could not reasonably prevent, AABC may postpone, relocate, reschedule or offer a reasonable alternative where lawful and practicable.

2.   If the contracted service cannot be provided and no reasonable alternative is accepted, the entrant's remedies and any permitted deduction for reasonable unrecoverable costs will be determined by applicable law.

3.   AABC will communicate a material change as soon as reasonably practicable using the contact information supplied at registration.

7.4 External expenses

AABC is not responsible for an entrant's travel, accommodation, meals, costume, coaching or other external costs, except to the extent liability cannot lawfully be excluded. Entrants should use flexible bookings and consider appropriate travel and cancellation insurance.

8. Recreational activity warning and assumption of risk

8.1 Prescribed warning before purchase

The competition, onstage warm-up, ballet and contemporary classes, repertoire coaching, pointe work, partnering, rehearsals, performance and related physical activities are recreational services involving physical exertion and physical risk.

Before payment, each entrant will be shown and asked to separately accept the current Victorian prescribed recreational-services warning. That warning explains how certain statutory guarantees may be excluded, restricted or modified in relation to death or personal injury, except where death or injury results from gross negligence. The warning and the entrant's recorded acceptance form part of the booking.

Official warning: Consumer Affairs Victoria recreational-services warning

8.2 Acknowledgement of risk

1.   Dance training and performance involve inherent risks, including slips, trips, falls, collisions, fatigue, dehydration, loss of balance, overuse, strains, sprains, bruising, fractures, joint or soft-tissue injury, aggravation or recurrence of an existing condition, and injury associated with pointe work, turns, jumps, lifts, partnering, costumes, props, stage surfaces, physical contact or corrections.

2.   Some injuries may be serious. This list is illustrative and not exhaustive.

3.   The entrant confirms that they understand the nature and physical demands of the activities selected and choose to participate voluntarily within their present capacity.

4.   Subject to AABC's legal obligations, the entrant participates at their own risk and is responsible for monitoring their condition, using suitable technique and equipment, following safety directions and stopping if they experience pain, dizziness, illness or another warning sign.

5.   Participation is not medical advice, and AABC does not assess or certify an entrant's medical fitness.

9. Fitness, health information, safety and emergency assistance

1.   The entrant is responsible for deciding whether they are fit to participate and for obtaining medical or allied-health advice or clearance where appropriate.

2.   The entrant must disclose an injury, health condition, medication effect or restriction reasonably relevant to safe participation or a requested adjustment. Disclosure does not transfer responsibility for fitness to AABC.

3.   The entrant must promptly advise AABC if relevant circumstances change before or during the Event.

4.   AABC may stop or modify participation where there is a reasonable and immediate safety concern. Where practicable, AABC will discuss the concern with the entrant.

5.   In an emergency, the entrant authorises AABC and venue personnel to provide or arrange first aid, ambulance assistance or another response reasonably considered necessary. The entrant is responsible for ambulance, medical and related costs unless the law provides otherwise.

6.   Entrants must arrive by the published call time, warm up appropriately, use safely prepared shoes, costumes, props and equipment, follow reasonable safety and venue directions, avoid unprepared technical elements, and immediately report a hazard, injury or incident.

7.   Entrants must not participate while impaired by alcohol, illicit drugs or another substance that makes participation unsafe.

10. Conduct, removal and disqualification

1.   Entrants must treat other dancers, staff, volunteers, teachers, adjudicators, audience members and venue personnel respectfully.

2.   Harassment, intimidation, discrimination, abusive conduct, deliberate disruption, unsafe behaviour, dishonesty, serious privacy breaches or refusal to follow a reasonable safety direction may result in removal or disqualification.

3.   Where reasonably practicable, AABC will explain the concern and allow the entrant an opportunity to respond or correct it. Immediate action may be taken where necessary for safety, welfare or venue security.

4.   If removal or disqualification results from the entrant's material breach of these Terms or the Competition Rules, no refund is payable to the extent permitted by law.

11. Competition decisions, feedback and awards

1.   Entrants accept the published AABC Scoring and Awards Framework.

2.   Adjudicators' artistic assessments and competition decisions are final. AABC may correct a verified administrative, transcription or calculation error.

3.   Entrants, teachers and supporters must not approach an adjudicator during the Event to challenge a result.

4.   AABC does not guarantee a score, placement, benchmark award, professional opportunity or improvement in dance performance.

5.   AABC may combine or separate sections where reasonably required by entry numbers while continuing to assess dancers within their appropriate division and published framework.

12. Music, choreography and intellectual property

1.   The entrant must comply with music submission requirements and provide a lawful, final and performance-ready file by the deadline. AABC does not provide music-editing services.

2.   The entrant is responsible for obtaining any permission required to perform choreography or repertoire that is not original, in the public domain or otherwise authorised for their use.

3.   By submitting music and performance information, the entrant grants AABC a limited, non-exclusive licence to store, copy and use those materials only as reasonably necessary to administer, rehearse, stage, adjudicate, record and archive the entrant's Event participation, subject to applicable licences and law.

4.   AABC may request evidence of permission or decline material where there is a reasonable concern about infringement, legality, safety or suitability.

5.   The entrant retains ownership of their original choreography and other original material. Nothing in these Terms transfers ownership to AABC.

13. Photography, filming, names and results

1.   AABC may publish the entrant's name, division, performance title, programmed section, result and award as part of the event program, announcements, results and historical competition record.

2.   Official photography and filming may occur. Audience recording may also be permitted from designated areas under venue rules. AABC cannot guarantee that an entrant will never appear incidentally in a crowd or wide event image.

3.   AABC will seek separate, optional consent before using identifiable close-up photography or video for advertising, social media or future promotional campaigns.

4.   Declining promotional consent will not affect eligibility, scoring or participation.

5.   An entrant may withdraw promotional consent for future use by contacting AABC. Withdrawal does not require AABC to recall material already lawfully printed, published or supplied before the request was received.

6.   Photography and recording in dressing rooms and restricted backstage areas are prohibited.

14. Privacy and health information

1.   AABC will collect, use, store and disclose personal information in accordance with the Adult Ballet Centre Privacy Policy and applicable privacy and health-records law.

2.   Information may be used to administer registration, payment, eligibility, programming, safety, accessibility, emergency response, results, event communications and legal or insurance requirements.

3.   Relevant information may be disclosed only as reasonably necessary to authorised AABC personnel, teachers, adjudicators, venue or technical personnel, first-aid providers, emergency services, insurers, professional advisers and service providers involved in delivering the Event.

4.   Health and accessibility information will not be published or used for marketing.

5.   The entrant authorises AABC to contact their nominated emergency contact where reasonably necessary and confirms that they have informed that person that their details have been supplied.

6.   Essential booking and event emails are part of the service. Promotional communications unrelated to the booking require separate consent and will include an unsubscribe method.

7.   Requests to access or correct personal or health information may be made using the contact details in the Privacy Policy.

Privacy Policy: Adult Ballet Centre Privacy Policy

15. Accessibility and reasonable adjustments

1.   AABC welcomes requests for reasonable accessibility adjustments and will consider each request in good faith.

2.   The entrant should provide enough notice and information for AABC to assess and arrange an adjustment. AABC may discuss practical alternatives where a requested adjustment is unavailable, unsafe, incompatible with venue requirements or would impose unjustifiable hardship.

3.   An accessibility request or disability will not affect adjudication except where a published assessment adjustment has been agreed in advance.

16. Personal property and third-party arrangements

1.   Entrants remain responsible for their costumes, shoes, music backup, valuables and other personal property.

2.   To the extent permitted by law, AABC is not responsible for loss, theft or damage not caused by AABC's failure to take reasonable care.

3.   Lost property will be handled under AABC or venue procedures and may be disposed of after a reasonable collection period.

4.   Coaching, travel, accommodation, insurance and other services purchased from third parties are separate contracts between the entrant and those providers.

17. Complaints and disputes

1.   A concern should first be raised with the AABC Festival team at contact@adultballetcentre.com, with enough detail for it to be assessed.

2.   AABC will acknowledge the concern and seek to respond within a reasonable time.

3.   Nothing in this section prevents an entrant from exercising a statutory right or contacting Consumer Affairs Victoria, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, the Victorian Health Complaints Commissioner, VCAT or another appropriate body.

4.   Artistic disagreement with an adjudicator's assessment is not, by itself, grounds for a refund or legal review of the result. A verified administrative or calculation error may be corrected under section 11.

18. Changes to these Terms

1.   The dated version accepted at registration applies to the booking.

2.   AABC may make a change required by law, safety, insurance or venue requirements, correct an obvious error, or make a minor administrative clarification that does not reduce an entrant's substantive rights.

3.   A material change will be communicated to affected entrants. Where it materially alters the purchased service, AABC will provide any remedy required by law.

4.   AABC will retain a dated copy of each published version and a record of the version accepted by each entrant.

19. Notices

1.   Entrants must provide current contact information and promptly notify AABC of a change.

2.   AABC may send booking, payment, schedule, safety and event notices to the email address or mobile number supplied at registration.

3.   A notice is taken to be received when it reaches the recipient's electronic system unless the sender receives a delivery-failure notice.

20. General legal terms

1.   These Terms are governed by the laws of Victoria, Australia. The parties submit to courts and tribunals with jurisdiction in Victoria, subject to any law providing otherwise.

2.   If a provision is invalid or unenforceable, it will be read down to the minimum extent necessary or severed, and the remaining provisions will continue to operate.

3.   A failure or delay by AABC in enforcing a provision on one occasion is not a waiver of that provision on another occasion.

4.   These Terms do not create an employment, partnership, agency or joint-venture relationship between AABC and an entrant, teacher, coach or studio.

5.   Headings are for convenience and do not limit interpretation.

21. Acceptance

By completing paid registration, the entrant confirms that they:

•    are at least 18 years old and meet the eligibility requirements;

•    have provided accurate and complete information;

•    understand the 40% voluntary-withdrawal refund and 60% cancellation-charge policy and the Withdrawal Deadline disclosed before payment;

•    have read and accepted these Terms, the Competition Rules and the Scoring and Awards Framework;

•    have separately read and accepted the prescribed Victorian recreational-services warning presented before payment;

•    understand the physical demands and inherent risks of dance training and performance and choose to participate voluntarily within their current capacity;

•    consent to the necessary handling of health, injury, accessibility and emergency-contact information in accordance with the Privacy Policy; and

•    agree to follow reasonable AABC and venue directions.

Promotional photography and marketing consent will be requested separately and will remain optional.

Questions about these Terms?

Please contact the AABC Festival team before registering if you need clarification about refunds, eligibility, health information, accessibility or another entry condition.

Email: contact@adultballetcentre.com

Telephone: 0422 070 674

Presented by Adult Ballet Centre Pty Ltd.

ABN 33 656 867 033