Flying Fish Australia terms and conditions

There is always some fine print to read, and we have tried to keep ours to a minimum. There are no catches!

Flying Fish Sailing is the trading name of Flying Fish Australia Pty Ltd (ABN: 34 098 757 656). By booking a course, charter, or event with us, or by making a payment through our website (staging-flyingfishsailingau.kinsta.cloud), you agree to these Terms and Conditions, which are governed by the laws of New South Wales, Australia.

1. Contract formation and jurisdiction

When you make a booking or payment, you enter into a contract with Flying Fish Australia Pty Ltd. This contract is governed by the laws of New South Wales, and any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of its courts.

2. Booking and payment

  • Less than 60 days before your course or event: Full payment is required when booking.
  • More than 60 days in advance: You can secure your place with a deposit:
    • Bookings under AUD $1,000: Full payment is required to make a booking.
    • AUD $1,000–$10,000: 20% deposit.
    • Over AUD $10,000: 10% deposit.
    • Yacht charters: 50% deposit.
  • The balance is due 60 days before the course or event start date.
  • If the balance is not paid by the due date, Flying Fish reserves the right to treat the booking as cancelled and apply the cancellation terms below.

3. Changes and cancellations

By the customer:

When you book with Flying Fish, you secure a place in a designated course or event. This means we allocate resources, incur expenses, and take on business risks to fulfil your reservation. By securing this place, you may also prevent another customer from booking it.

In the event of your cancellation, the following charges will apply:

  • More than 60 days’ notice: Your deposit is non-refundable but may be held as credit for 24 months. Any additional payments (beyond the deposit) will be refunded in full.
  • 30 to 60 days’ notice: A 50% cancellation fee applies. The remaining 50% is held as credit for 24 months.
  • Less than 30 days’ notice: We understand that last-minute issues arise. While payments are non-refundable, we may offer a 50% credit if we can rebook your place. This credit will be valid for 24 months and assessed on a case-by-case basis.
  • Discounted pre-paid vouchers: Non-refundable regardless of notice period.

By Flying Fish:

  • In the unlikely event we cancel your course or event, you will receive a full refund, including your deposit.
  • Flying Fish is not responsible for any consequential loss (e.g. travel or accommodation costs) or damages arising from cancellation.

4. Force majeure

Events beyond our control—including but not limited to natural disasters, government action, pandemics, acts of war, extreme weather conditions, significant vessel or equipment failure, accidents, or medical emergencies (affecting staff or participants)—may result in the cancellation, postponement, or curtailment of your course or event.

In such cases, Flying Fish will issue a credit equivalent to the unused portion, valid for 24 months from the date of cancellation. No cash refunds will be provided under these circumstances.

5. Medical declaration and insurance

  • You should be confident in the water and maintain a reasonable level of fitness for the demands of your course.
  • You must disclose any relevant medical condition at the time of booking and advise us of any relevant change in your health or medical circumstances before your course or event begins.
  • Medical and travel insurance is required unless you participate wholly within your country of residence and are covered for unlimited public healthcare.
  • We also strongly recommend that you consider taking out personal accident insurance and insurance to cover cancellation due to illness or other unforeseen circumstances.
  • If you are colour blind, which affects your ability to distinguish lights, please consider having an eye test before joining a Yachtmaster course. Commercial skippers are required to have good colour vision.

6. Accommodation

When booking accommodation with Flying Fish, you agree to accept the accommodation allocated. Special requests will be considered, but are not guaranteed.

7. Training, qualifications and equipment

  • Flying Fish instructors are committed to helping you achieve advertised qualifications, but no guarantee of qualification is offered.
  • Passage plans and mileages are indicative only and subject to weather and operational conditions.
  • Training vessels are subject to change at Flying Fish’s discretion.
  • Course schedules, instructors and training locations may also be changed where reasonably necessary for operational, safety or training reasons.

8. Conduct and compliance

Participants must always comply with Flying Fish’s operational procedures and safety instructions. Disruptive or unsafe behaviour may result in removal from the course without refund.

Participants must not attend or participate while impaired by alcohol, illegal drugs or any substance that could compromise their own safety or the safety of others.

9. Limitation of liability

  • To the maximum extent permitted by law, Flying Fish excludes or limits liability for loss, damage, injury or other claims arising from participation in our courses, events and activities.
  • You acknowledge that sailing, boating and water-based activities carry inherent risks, including adverse weather, physical exertion, slips and falls, equipment failure, or remote locations with limited medical access. These risks can, in extreme cases, lead to injury, illness, or death. While Flying Fish takes all reasonable precautions, you acknowledge and accept these risks by participating.
  • It’s important to assess your physical condition and follow safety instructions to minimise these dangers. Your safety is a shared responsibility—both you and Flying Fish play a role in ensuring a safe experience.
  • To the extent permitted by law, you agree to indemnify Flying Fish against claims, costs or liabilities arising from your acts or omissions during your participation.
  • Nothing in these Terms and Conditions excludes, restricts or modifies any rights or remedies that cannot lawfully be excluded, restricted or modified, including applicable rights under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).

10. Privacy

Our Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, store, and use your personal data in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

11. Safety and itinerary changes

Your safety is our highest priority. If the skipper or instructor determines that it is unsafe or inadvisable to proceed with the scheduled passage or any part of your course—for reasons including but not limited to heavy weather, vessel or equipment failure, participant illness or injury, or any other situation that may compromise safety—Flying Fish reserves the right to alter, shorten, or cancel that part of the itinerary.

No refund or credit will be provided for changes, delays, or missed training resulting from these safety-related decisions. Where possible, alternative training or experience will be provided for the remaining course duration.

For more information, contact us at help@flyingfishsailing.com.au or visit staging-flyingfishsailingau.kinsta.cloud.

Equal opportunities

One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish, black fish, white fish, old fish, new fish (Dr Seuss)

Flying Fish supports the principle of equal opportunities and opposes discrimination on the grounds of age, gender, colour, race, nationality, creed, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or social background.

We aim to promote equality of opportunity and eliminate direct or indirect discrimination in our employment practices and access to our training and qualifications.

If you believe you have been discriminated against, please tell us so we can correct the problem.

Visa information

Visa requirements depend on your nationality, circumstances and the activities you intend to undertake. Immigration rules can change, so you should always check the relevant government immigration website before travelling. Flying Fish cannot provide immigration advice or guarantee that a visa will be granted.

United Kingdom

Depending on your nationality, you may be able to visit the UK for up to six months without obtaining a visa in advance, although you may require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). Short courses may generally be undertaken as a Standard Visitor, subject to the applicable UK immigration requirements.

If you intend to work in the UK, different immigration requirements apply and you should check that you have the appropriate permission before travelling or accepting employment.

For current requirements, check the UK Government visa and immigration website.

Australia

With limited exceptions, overseas visitors require an appropriate visa or travel authority to enter Australia.

If you are joining a Flying Fish course or event, you should check which visa is appropriate for your nationality and circumstances before travelling. Do not assume that a Student visa is required simply because you are undertaking a Flying Fish training course.

If you plan to work in Australia after training, you must hold a visa that permits you to work. Working Holiday and Work and Holiday visas are available to eligible passport holders, generally aged 18 to 30, with some nationalities eligible up to age 35. Eligibility and conditions vary by nationality.

For current requirements and applications, visit the Australian Department of Home Affairs.