These Terms & Conditions ("Terms") govern all consulting engagements between Unlock Veterinary Consulting ("we", "us", "our") and its clients. By engaging our services, you agree to be bound by these Terms.

1. About Unlock Veterinary Consulting

‍ Unlock Veterinary Consulting provides hands-on business consulting services to independent veterinary clinics, including but not limited to human resources, workplace health and safety (WHS), compliance, financial reporting, practice management systems, leadership coaching, marketing, clinic acquisitions, and new clinic builds.

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2. Nature of Services

‍ Unlock Veterinary Consulting provides business advisory and hands-on operational support. We do not provide legal, financial, taxation, or veterinary clinical advice. Where legal, financial, taxation, or clinical matters arise during an engagement, clients are encouraged to seek independent advice from an appropriately qualified professional.

‍ While we bring significant experience and care to every engagement, we do not guarantee specific financial, operational, or business outcomes. Results depend on factors outside our control, including but not limited to market conditions, staffing, client implementation of recommendations, and the actions of third parties.

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3. Scope of Work & Agreement

‍ All consulting work is scoped and agreed in writing prior to the commencement of any engagement. This scope of work outlines the services to be provided, estimated timeframes, and fees payable.

‍ Any changes to the agreed scope, including additional tasks or an extension of the original project, will be discussed and agreed with the client in writing before being undertaken, and may be subject to additional fees.

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4. Fees, Deposits & Payment Terms

• ‍A deposit, calculated as an appropriate proportion of the total project fee, is payable prior to the commencement of work.

• The remaining balance is due within 14 days of completion of the agreed scope of work, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

• Fees are quoted based on the agreed scope of work, rather than on an hourly rate, and reflect the nature, complexity, and level of expertise required for the engagement.

• Payment plans may be available and will be agreed in writing prior to commencement where applicable.

• Late payment may incur interest or administrative fees, and Unlock Veterinary Consulting reserves the right to pause ongoing work until overdue payments are received.

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5. Confidentiality

‍ Confidentiality is treated with the utmost seriousness. All client information — including but not limited to clinic financials, staffing matters, acquisition and sale details, and any documentation shared during an engagement — is handled with discretion.

‍ All engagements are covered by a confidentiality agreement or non-disclosure agreement (NDA), the specific form of which is determined by the nature and scope of the engagement. Information relating to a client's business is shared only with those directly involved in delivering the engagement, and only where necessary to do so.

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6. Professional Indemnity & Public Liability Insurance

‍ Unlock Veterinary Consulting holds current professional indemnity and public liability insurance. Certificates of currency are available on request.

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7. Limitation of Liability

‍ To the maximum extent permitted by law, Unlock Veterinary Consulting excludes liability for any indirect, consequential, or economic loss arising from the provision of consulting services, except where such liability cannot be excluded by law (including under the Australian Consumer Law).

‍ Clients remain responsible for their own business, legal, financial, and operational decisions, including the implementation of any advice, recommendations, policies, systems, or documentation provided by Unlock Veterinary Consulting.

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8. Client Responsibilities

‍ Clients are responsible for providing accurate, complete, and timely information required to deliver the agreed scope of work. Unlock Veterinary Consulting is not responsible for outcomes affected by incomplete, inaccurate, or delayed information provided by the client.

‍ Clients remain responsible for their own ongoing compliance with applicable laws, including employment law, WHS legislation, and industry-specific regulatory requirements. Documents, policies, or systems provided as part of an engagement should be reviewed by the client's own legal adviser where appropriate before implementation.

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9. Intellectual Property

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, documents, templates, policies, and materials created specifically for a client as part of an engagement become the property of the client upon receipt of final payment. Unlock Veterinary Consulting retains the right to use general methodologies, frameworks, and non-identifying materials developed during an engagement in future work with other clients.

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10. Cancellation

Should a client wish to cancel or postpone an engagement after work has commenced, the deposit is non-refundable, and fees for work completed to that point remain payable.

Unlock Veterinary Consulting reserves the right to decline, pause, or discontinue an engagement at its discretion, including where a client fails to meet agreed payment terms.

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11. Changes to These Terms

These Terms may be updated from time to time. The version in effect at the time an engagement is agreed will apply to that engagement.

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12. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of Victoria, Australia.

‍ ‍13. Contact

For any questions regarding these Terms, please contact: lauren@unlockveterinaryconsulting.com.au