For more information please contact us: Level 3, 309 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000 | +61(0) 2 9287 9900 www.afta.com.au | atas@afta.com.au
AFTA LTD ABN: 72 001 444 275 Information correct as at February 2014 2014 Australian Federation of Travel Agents Travel Accreditation Scheme (ATAS)
6. What is expected of me until the changes come into effect? Travel agents will need to maintain their Travel Compensation Fund (TCF) membership and licence until 30 June 2014, subject to any changes of which they are advised. From 1 July 2014, travel agents will be able to trade without needing to be members of the TCF or hold a licence. At all times, when supplying travel or travel-related services to consumers, agents are reminded that they must comply with their obligations under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL). The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission have also developed a free online education program to help small businesses learn about their rights and obligations under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, which includes the ACL. 7. If the Government removes licensing what is to stop unprofessional and unethical operators? Although anyone wishing to operate as a travel agent will not be required to hold a licence from 1 July 2014, it will not be that easy to just open up shop. The travel industry imposes restrictions on who can arrange travel products such as air and cruise tickets, accommodation and tour packages. The travel supplier needs to be assured that the agent will conduct business ethically and honestly. Travel agents may require a particular tick of approval or other accreditation from an organisation that may set standards for the travel industry. Other requirements include reputation, experience and educational qualications. 8. Im thinking of becoming a travel agent. When is a good time to start? If you are considering trading as a travel agent before 1 July 2014, please seek independent legal and commercial advice about the best time to enter the industry. Unless and until you are advised otherwise, do not assume that you will receive a refund of any fees that you may have to pay before existing regulation is phased out. Please contact your local state or territory licensing authority for information about your licensing obligations. Contact the TCF if you have any queries about the TCFs requirements. 9. What happens if any funds are left over when the Travel Compensation Fund (TCF) closes? The TCF Trust Deed requires any funds remaining after the TCF closes to be redistributed to all Australian governments except the Northern Territory, which does not participate in the Fund. No portion of the TCF funds will be redistributed to agents; however the Transition Plan approved a range of other uses before the Fund closes. These are to: develop educational and informative material about the national travel agent reforms for businesses and consumers fund the development of ATAS- a voluntary industry accreditation scheme for travel agents fund consumer research and advocacy initiatives settle any nal compensation claims and, if necessary, cover
the cost of any legal action against a travel agent relating to these claims. 10. How does this change affect consumers? From 1 July 2014, AFTA will undertake a marketing campaign to educate consumers about its new accreditation scheme ATAS, what it means and how it will benet them. ATAS and the accredited agents it represents will be promoted as highly credible and professional. ATAS will become a symbol of integrity that consumers proactively look for when booking their travel. It should be noted that between 1 July 2014 and 30 June 2015, consumers will continue to be able to make a claim under the Travel Compensation Fund relating to the 2013/14 nancial year.
For more information please contact us: Level 3, 309 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000 | +61(0) 2 9287 9900 www.afta.com.au | atas@afta.com.au
AFTA LTD ABN: 72 001 444 275 Information correct as at February 2014 2014 Australian Federation of Travel Agents Travel Accreditation Scheme (ATAS)
13. Why should my business be ATAS accredited? An ATAS- accredited agent is a symbol of quality. From 1 July 2014, AFTA will undertake a marketing campaign to educate consumers about ATAS accredited agents who operate trusted, professional and ethical businesses. When planning a holiday, a consumer will actively seek ATAS accredited agents over non-accredited agents. 14. What are the ATAS participant benets? Become an ATAS participant and receive the following benets: National Accreditation Join ATAS and receive national industry accreditation backed by AFTA. Be recognised as a credible, professional business and offer your clients peace of mind. Participants are required to annually meet the compliance benchmarks to uphold their accreditation. In return, they receive the right to use the ATAS logo a mark of industry quality. ATAS Accreditation Certicate ATAS participants receive an ATAS Certicate of Accreditation and number to acknowledge successful compliance with the accreditation scheme. This includes a digital signature emblem for use on websites, emails and other electronic communications with consumers. Business Training Support ATAS participants have direct access to a range of online training tools and business templates to equip participants with quick, easy to use references throughout the year. Information and assistance regarding the minimum levels of training and certication required for employees within the tourism and travel industry are available to participants. National Consumer Campaign Ongoing commitment to increase consumer awareness of the ATAS scheme and benets of booking through an ATAS accredited travel agent via a national, multi-channel campaign. Industry Support As an ATAS participant, keep you informed of all relevant updates and changes to the Australian Consumer Law which is a key plank of the ATAS scheme. Business Protection ATAS participants have exclusive access to a range of insolvency insurance products to protect your business and offer assurance to your clients both leading into and during travel bookings. 15. How do I apply? Weve made it easy for you. Simply, register to become an ATAS participant and complete our easy step-by-step process online. Applications open mid April 2014. 16. Whats involved in the application process? The application process to become an ATAS participant and hold ATAS Accreditation, involves completing an online application which will vet your business against 8 benchmark criteria. Measures include business compliance, commercial safeguards, workforce development, dispute resolution and complaints handling processes. Once you have satised the selection criteria, an annual fee will apply.
17. Is accreditation mandatory? It is not compulsory for travel agents to be accredited. In addition to ATAS accreditation, travel agents can be accredited by a number of other organisations within their industry, such as the International Air Transport Association (IATA) or the Cruise Lines International Association of Australasia (CLIA). In some instances, an agent may also be approved under the National Tourism Accreditation Framework (NTAF). Such agents are authorised to display a T-QUAL symbol. However in some instances, only an accredited agent will be able to provide particular services, such as issuing air tickets. Contact the relevant organisations for more information about these accreditation schemes. 18. Why is ATAS not mandatory? The Australian Governments Travel Industry Transition Plan 2012 calls for a voluntary industry-led accreditation scheme. 19. What are the categories and fees associated with ATAS participation? ATAS participation is subject to an annual subscription fee and based on an entitys Total Transaction Value or TTV, as category levels indicated below. AFTA Full-Members are eligible for a discounted ATAS participant fee. However for the rst-year rollout (period between 1 July 2014 30 June 2015) of the ATAS scheme, no participation fee will be charged to those participants who apply during this period who were previously TCF participants. A two year minimum participation agreement will be applicable for those participants joining within the rst year. Table: ATAS fees for AFTA full-members
Category Less than $1m $1m TTV $2.5m Cost $475 $525 $2.5m $5m $5m $10m $650 $750 $10m $100m $950 $100m $250m + $250m $5,000
By negotiation
Non AFTA Member Rates yet to be published. Email atas@afta.com.au or call +61 2 9287 9900if you are interested in applying to be an AFTA member. 20. What is the difference between AFTA membership and ATAS participation? AFTA has been representing the travel and tourism industry for over 60 years. AFTA membership provides members with representation when addressing policy issues at both state and federal government levels and other regulatory bodies. Alongside industry representation, AFTA membership offers a range of business support tools for Marketing, Financial, Legal and Education & Training. AFTA is charged with hosting the National Travel Industry Awards annual Gala event to acknowledge and reward those who demonstrate excellence within the travel and tourism industry.
For more information please contact us: Level 3, 309 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000 | +61(0) 2 9287 9900 www.afta.com.au | atas@afta.com.au
AFTA LTD ABN: 72 001 444 275 Information correct as at February 2014 2014 Australian Federation of Travel Agents Travel Accreditation Scheme (ATAS)
ATAS accreditation will offer participants a nationally recognised industry accreditation backed by AFTA. The scheme will provide participants with an Accreditation Certicate, business training support, and on-going commitment to a national consumer campaign, industry support and exclusive access to a range of insolvency insurance products for business protection.
5. Commercial Safeguards Insurance provides customers with greater condence in the travel intermediary, and the travel intermediary with a level of protection and minimising risk exposure. ATAS participants are required to hold both Public Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance as a commercial safeguard. A copy of the insurance policy and expiration date will be required as part of the application documentation. AFTA has appointed Gow-Gates to bring to market a range of optional insolvency insurance protection solutions for ATAS members. The insurance products include the following: > Scheduled Airline Failure Insurance (SAFI) > End Supplier Failure Insurance (ESFI) > ATAS Participant Insolvency Insurance (APII) These insurance solvency products are not mandatory for ATAS participation, but would be advisable for complete business protection. For more information on insurance contact: Gow-Gates Insurance Brokers Rebecca Fleming Manager Special Projects 02 8267 9919 reming@gowgates.com.au 6. Workforce Development Adequately skilled employees are important to assist in providing a quality service to customers. Travel consultants that hold qualications can provide customers with greater condence in the travel agent. ATAS participants are required to have 20% of client facing qualied with a Certicate III in Travel or equivalent. Client facing staff includes those employees that are directly selling travel bookings to consumers. 7. Complaints Handling and Dispute Resolution In order to provide a level of comfort to customers to ensure any problems are addressed appropriately, participants are required to have an internal process for handling disputes and complaints by customers, which is free and accessible. 8. Participation Fee An annual fee is payable to ATAS for the accreditation scheme. For those participants joining in the rst year who are AFTA members OR previous TCF members, there will be no participation fee applicable for the rst year. A 2-year committment is required.
For more information please contact us: Level 3, 309 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000 | +61(0) 2 9287 9900 www.afta.com.au | atas@afta.com.au
AFTA LTD ABN: 72 001 444 275 Information correct as at February 2014 2014 Australian Federation of Travel Agents Travel Accreditation Scheme (ATAS)
23. What nancial information is required for ATAS participation? To ensure ATAS participants are operating in a sound nancial position and able to meet the commitments of clients, suppliers and other creditors when they are due and have minimum risk of collapse, ATAS will require applications to include nancial information to demonstrate the travel intermediarys current position. Financial information provided to ATAS will vary depending on whether the participant is subject to an audit or not. YES - The participant is to provide a copy of the audited nancial report to ATAS annually. NO - The participant is required to provide a balance sheet and income statement certied by a duly authorised individual within the entity annually. Participants will also be required to provide a Declaration of Solvency. 24. Will my nancial documentation be kept private and condential? Your information will at all times be treated as commercial in condence and is both private and secure. AFTA recognises that commercial condentially is important to you and will at all ensure your commercial situations are kept condential. AFTA has a rm commitment to privacy in terms of the Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) ACT 2000, which came into effect in December 2001. 25. Can I be an ATAS participant if my business is not registered, incorporated or domiciled in Australia? No, ATAS accreditation is only available to Australian registered businesses, incorporated or domiciled in Australia. 26. Can online travel agents be ATAS participants? Yes, all business entities that sell travel on behalf of a travel supplier are eligible to become an ATAS participant. 27. What is the ATAS deed poll? The ATAS Deed Poll is an important part of the application process and is a legally binding declaration that the participant understands and accepts the conditions of ATAS participation. The deed poll includes: > A declaration that they will comply with the Code and will use its best endeavours to ensure that its employees comply with the ATAS Code of Conduct > Understand that accreditation under ATAS is subject to the Charter > Declaration that the participant agrees to comply with Australian Consumer Law and will use its best endeavours to ensure its employees comply with the ACL > An acceptance that through its corporate policies and procedures it will provide a level of staff education and training which is consistent with the eligibility criteria > Releases and indemnies AFTA and the ATAS Code Compliance and Monitoring Committee (ACCMC) with respect to ATAS. > Provides a declaration of solvency to accompany nancial information provided under criteria 4 - business compliance.
28. Who can certify accounts and agree to the Deed Poll? A duly authorised individual from the applying entity is responsible for agreeing to the terms and conditions outlined in the deed poll and certifying nancial information provided to AFTA. 29. Where can I obtain a copy of the Code of Conduct and / or Charter? A copy of both the ATAS Code of Conduct and Charter will soon be available on the AFTA trade website, www.afta.com.au. 30. I am a member of IATA do I still need to do a nancial audit? Yes, you still need to complete a nancial audit for IATA purposes. IATA is a separate organisation, operated independently of AFTA. If you are IATA accredited you may choose to submit your IATA audit to comply with ATAS application criteria 4 business compliance, where you are required to provide proof of solvency. This is just to make life easier for you! 31. Is my business required to keep a client account? ATAS participants are not required to keep a client account. However, AFTA believes it is good business practice. 32. What duration is the accreditation valid for? ATAS accreditation is valid for from the date your application is approved to 30 June the following year. Renewal for the accreditation scheme is required annually to ensure participants meet the selection criteria. 33. How long will it take to have my application approved? Once an application has been submitted, permitting all appropriate documentation are provided and there is no followup required, applications will be approved within 2-3 weeks. 34. If my application is declined, can I appeal the decision? Yes, for any declined application the applicant may appeal the decision. Our Compliance Manager will provide you with the reason for your declined application and work with you, where possible, to be in a position where your application may be approved. 35. What happens if someone makes a complaint against my business? If a complaint is made against your business, AFTA will act as a moderator between the two parties to facilitate a resolution. 36. What denes a business as solvent? A participant is solvent if it reasonably expects to be able to pay its debts when they are due to be paid.
For more information please contact us: Level 3, 309 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000 | +61(0) 2 9287 9900 www.afta.com.au | atas@afta.com.au
AFTA LTD ABN: 72 001 444 275 Information correct as at February 2014 2014 Australian Federation of Travel Agents Travel Accreditation Scheme (ATAS)
37. What insurances do I need to hold? As a minimum ATAS participants are required to hold both Public Liability Insurance and Professional Indemnity Insurance to be an eligible participant. However there are several optional insurances that are available as additional business safeguard. > Scheduled Airline Failure Insurance (SAFI) > End Supplier Failure Insurance (ESFI) > ATAS Participant Insolvency Insurance (APII) These insurance solvency products are not mandatory for ATAS participation, but would be advisable for complete business protection. For more information on insurance contact: Gow-Gates Insurance Brokers Rebecca Fleming Manager Special Projects 02 8267 9919 reming@gowgates.com.au 38. What minimum training requirements are involved? ATAS participants must have a minimum of 20% of client facing staff qualied with a Certicate III in Travel or equivalent. Recognition of prior learning from previous years of experience selling travel will also be accepted.
40. Who is International Passenger Protection (IPP)? Formed in 1990, some 23 years ago after identifying a lack of consumer protection IPP are the oldest and World leader in providing nancial failure insurances to the travel industry, operating in over 30 countries around the world. IPP pioneered all their products including: Scheduled Airline Failure, End Supplier Failure Insurance, IATA Agency Default Insurance, Tour Package Regulation Insurance and more. 41. Who is Gow-Gates Insurance Brokers? The Gow-Gates Group specialises in advising businesses and individuals on how to mitigate and transfer risk. They are one of Australias largest privately owned insurance groups. Gow-Gates have been appointed by AFTA to bring to market three specialised insurance products for the travel industry, as follows; > Scheduled Airline Failure Insurance (SAFI) > End Supplier Failure Insurance (ESFI) > ATAS Participant Insolvency Insurance (APII) 42. Do I need Scheduled Airline Failure Insurance (SAFI)? Whilst SAFI is not mandatory for ATAS Accreditation, insurance protection is an important business safeguard which requires consideration for complete cover in an ever changing volatile industry. SAFI is a corporate insurance policy issued to a Travel Agent to cover the insolvency of the declared Scheduled Airlines. The travel intermediary is the Insured, Policyholder and beneciary. 43. Do I need End Supplier Failure Insurance (ESFI)? ESFI is not mandatory for ATAS Accreditation; however insurance protection is an important business safeguard which requires consideration for complete cover in an ever changing volatile industry. ESFI is a corporate insurance policy issued to a Travel Agent which covers losses arising from the insolvency of an airline and other end suppliers. The travel intermediary is the Insured, Policyholder and beneciary. 44. What is the difference between SAFI and ESFI? SAFI provides cover for you to be able to protect your customers should the airline that you have booked them with becomes insolvent. ESFI goes that one step further than SAFI by extending cover to end suppliers such as hotels, coach companies, ferry companies and many more. 45. Do I need ATAS Participant Insolvency Insurance (APII)? The ATAS Participation Insolvency Insurance is not a mandatory insurance for ATAS accreditation however this insurance product is only available to current ATAS accredited participants. The ATAS Participant Insolvency Insurance is for the benet of your customers to give clients peace of mind that the money they pass over to you is protected while it is with you.
For more information please contact us: Level 3, 309 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000 | +61(0) 2 9287 9900 www.afta.com.au | atas@afta.com.au
AFTA LTD ABN: 72 001 444 275 Information correct as at February 2014 2014 Australian Federation of Travel Agents Travel Accreditation Scheme (ATAS)
46. How do I apply for insurance? Gow-Gates Insurance Brokers (ABN 12 000 837 785 / AFSL 245432) have a dedicated team for the travel industry who can assist with your company insurance needs. For more information or a no-obligation quote, please contact one of the team below; Rebecca Fleming Manager - Special Programs T 02 8267 9919 M 0438 690 377 reming@gowgates.com.au Jacqui Culley Account Executive T 02 8267 9969 jculley@gowgates.com.au Shane Castueras Account Executive T 02 8267 9903 scastueras@gowgates.com.au 47. What is the cost for these insurances? Premiums will vary from member to member due to a different spread of airline risk and the number of tickets covered. For more information or a no-obligation quote, please contact the team at Gow-Gates. 48. Does SAFI and ESFI cover me against credit card charge backs? Yes if you have an SAFI or ESFI policy you can immediately contact your clients to refund or repatriate your customers which will be perceived as a great customer service and prevent customers from having to go back to their banks and invoking a charge back to your agency. 49. How do I make a claim? Simply complete a one-page claim form and forward documentation to Gow-Gates, showing details of sales for failed airline or supplier. 50. How long does it take to process a claim? Funds are generally returned within seven business days however it may take a little longer in the event of a large collapse. 51. Can anyone get insolvency insurance? No, these three insurance policies are exclusively available to ATAS accredited participants. 52. Will cover be provided for packages booked with online and overseas suppliers? For those suppliers that you have covered (i.e. they appear on your schedule of insurance), whether they be online or be overseas, you will be covered. Gow-Gates Disclaimer - The information in this document is general in nature and referral needs to be made to the policy wording.
For more information please contact us: Level 3, 309 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000 | +61(0) 2 9287 9900 www.afta.com.au | atas@afta.com.au
AFTA LTD ABN: 72 001 444 275 Information correct as at February 2014 2014 Australian Federation of Travel Agents Travel Accreditation Scheme (ATAS)