Making financial contributions by credit card or direct debit is a safe, easy, convenient and cost-effective way of getting more money to where it’s needed: the children.
Automatic financial contributions are preferred as it saves Compassion a significant amount of money in handling, printing and postage costs. By participating in the automatic contribution system, you allow us to pass on more funds to the children.
You can arrange for us to direct debit your bank, building society or credit card account (Bankcard, MasterCard, Visa, American Express) at a frequency that suits you, for example, monthly, quarterly, biannually or yearly.
If you prefer to make your contributions by cheque or by money order, consider helping minimise administrative costs by making contributions three, six, or even 12 months at a time. Cheques and money orders should be made out to: “the Compassion Overseas Aid and Development Fund”.
Please be aware that parent or guardian consent is required if you lack legal capacity or are under the age of majority.
The terms and conditions below include:
Credit Card Automatic Contribution Agreement
Direct Debit Automatic Contribution Agreement
General Terms and Conditions
Website Usage Terms
Questions?
For further enquiries, please contact us on 1300 22 44 53 or compassion@compassion.com.au
Credit Card Automatic Contribution Agreement
We will arrange for funds to be drawn under this automatic contribution arrangement for credit cards as authorised by your payment request, or as subsequently agreed or established. Some slight variation in the day of drawing can be expected, for example, when a drawing is scheduled for a weekend or holiday the drawing may instead occur on the next business day. The day of the drawing will also vary if the drawing fails for any reason and needs to be retried on another day.
By entering your credit card details for the recurring payment, you authorise Compassion Australia ABN 67 001 692 566 to charge your credit card as agreed. You understand that this authorisation will remain in effect until you cancel it, and you agree to notify Compassion Australia of any changes to your account information or termination of this authorisation at least 5 business days prior to the next billing date. You certify that you are an authorised user of the credit card provided and that you will not dispute the scheduled payments with your credit card company provided the transactions correspond to the terms agreed.
We welcome you directing enquiries to Compassion Australia, rather than to your financial institution. It is helpful if you can provide us with your supporter number when making an enquiry by email.
Direct Debit Automatic Contribution Agreement
This is your direct debit service agreement with Compassion Australia ABN 67 001 692 566, Direct Debit User ID 012178, (“Compassion Australia”) and outlines our obligations to you as well as your obligations. It explains your rights, our commitment to you and your responsibilities in relation to the arrangements, including where you can go for assistance. Please keep this agreement for future reference. It forms part of the terms and conditions of your direct debit request and should be read in conjunction with your direct debit request authorisation.
Drawing arrangements
By you submitting a written, verbal or online request to us to debit funds from your account (“direct debit request”), you have authorised us to arrange for funds to be debited from your account. Your direct debit request and this agreement set out the terms of this arrangement between us and you.
As well as covering your initial request when you add your account details as a payment method, this same arrangement covers any subsequent direct debit request where you ask for additional donations to be made via the same payment method.
We will arrange for funds to be debited from your account as authorised by your direct debit request, or as subsequently agreed or established. Please note there can be delays in direct debits occurring and/or being recognised by our system, particularly where debits are due after the 28th of the month or are impacted by weekends or public holidays. For example, when a drawing is scheduled on the 29th it may not occur until the first business day of the next month. The day of the drawing will also vary if the drawing fails for any reason and needs to be retried on another day.
We will give you at least 30 days' notice in writing when changes to the initial terms of the arrangement are made. This notice will state any changes to the initial terms and will be sent to your preferred email or address as notified by you.
You can cancel or suspend your direct debit request or change, stop, or defer an individual debit payment at any time by giving at least 5 business days’ notice. To do so, contact us directly by calling 1300 22 44 53 during business hours, or email compassion@compassion.com.au. Alternatively, you can add a different form of payment such as a credit card and transfer your direct debit requests to that payment method. You can also contact your own financial institution, which must act promptly on your instructions.
Please also contact us if you wish to discuss any changes to the initial terms.
Changes to the arrangement
If you want to make changes to the drawing arrangements, contact us at least five (5) business days prior to the next due drawing date. These changes may include: deferring the drawing; altering the schedule; stopping an individual debit; suspending the automatic contribution; change of account details; cancelling the automatic contribution completely.
Enquiries
We welcome you directing enquiries to Compassion Australia, rather than to your financial institution. It is helpful if you can provide us with your supporter number and tell us at least five (5) business days prior to the next scheduled drawing date. All personal customer information held by us will be kept confidential, except that information provided to our financial institution to initiate the drawing from your nominated account.
Disputes
If you believe there has been an error in debiting your account, you should notify us directly on 1300 22 44 53 during business hours or by emailing compassion@compassion.com.au
We will arrange for your financial institution to adjust your account (including interest and charges) if our investigations show that your account was incorrectly debited. We will also notify you in writing of the amount by which your account has been adjusted.
We will give you reasons and any evidence if our investigations show your account was not incorrectly debited.
You can also contact your financial institution for assistance, including if we have been unable to help you or if you are unhappy with our response.
Your commitment to us
It is your responsibility to ensure that:
Your nominated account can accept direct debits (your financial institution can confirm this).
On the drawing date there are sufficient cleared funds in the nominated account.
You advise us if the nominated account is transferred or closed (for ongoing contributions only).
If you are under 18 years of age, you have consent from your parent or guardian to make automatic financial contributions.
If the direct debit fails for any reason then we may retry the direct debit on a later day. If we cannot successfully run the debit then we will attempt to contact you to discuss the reason for failure. If an automatic contribution item is returned unpaid by your financial institution due to insufficient funds or puts your account into debit, it is possible that you and/or we may be charged a fee and/or interest by our respective financial institutions. We reserve the right to cancel your automatic contribution if two (2) or more direct debits are returned unpaid by your financial institution and, if so, we will ask you to arrange an alternative contribution method.
Contacting each other
If you wish to notify us in writing about anything relating to this agreement, you should email compassion@compassion.com.au or write to Compassion Australia, 30 Warabrook Blvd, Warabrook 2304. We will notify you by sending a notice to the preferred address or email notified by you and any notice will be deemed to have been received on the day sent.
General Terms and Conditions
Child Sponsorship
Recurring Donation
To ensure your donations are not interrupted, you must provide us with one or more Payment Methods. “Payment Method” means a current, valid, accepted method of payment, as may be updated from time to time, and which may include payment through your account with a third party. If you agree to a monthly donation, your donation will be charged to the Payment Method you provided monthly until you contact us to cancel and, if selecting a Sponsorship Plan, you agree that the Payment Method on file will be charged the donation amount then in effect on a recurring basis without any further authorisation from you. Your specific monthly payment date (“Billing Date”) may be determined by the day or month you sign up and will be indicated on your “Account” page. Visit the Compassion.com.au website and click on the “My Account” link and the “Your Commitments” link. The terms of your payment may be determined by agreements between you and the financial institution, debit/credit card issuer or other provider of your chosen payment method (your “Payment Method Provider”). For some Payment Methods, the Payment Method Provider may charge you certain fees, such as foreign transaction fees or other fees relating to the processing of your Payment Method. Check with your Payment Method Provider for details (see also “Cancellation” below).
Different Child Sponsorship Plans
We may from time to time offer a number of different Child Sponsorship or donation plans, each with different donation amounts which will be disclosed at the time of your selection or in other communications made available to you. You can find specific details regarding your sponsorships and other donations by visiting the Compassion.com.au website and clicking on the “My Account” link.
Additional Donations
We may offer a number of alternative donation opportunities from time to time, including one-time donations and recurring donations. Details will be disclosed at the time of your selection or in other communications made available to you. You can find specific details regarding the additional donations you have committed to by visiting the Compassion.com.au website and clicking on the “My Account” link.
Updating Your Payment Methods
You can update your Payment Methods by going to the “My Account” page. We may also update your Payment Methods using information provided by or with authorisation from your Payment Method Provider. Following any update, you authorise us to continue to charge the applicable Payment Method(s).
Cancellation
You can cancel your recurring donations to Compassion at any time, this includes your Child Sponsorship plan. Donations are not, however generally refundable. To cancel, please provide at least 3 working days before your Billing Date to avoid any future charges by visiting My Account or calling 1300 22 44 53.
Changes to the Amount of Child Sponsorship Plans
While we work hard to keep the cost of our programs low, there are rare times where we may need to increase the rate of our Child Sponsorship plans. This is generally due to inflation increasing the cost of providing care to the children we support. While we know that most supporters recognise this challenge and support these rate rises, we also understand that some of our sponsors are already giving at their maximum, and we appreciate that! If we need to take this step in future, unless stated otherwise in a particular communication, we will provide you at least 30 days’ notice and provide you an opportunity to opt out of the increase.
Child and Youth Protection and Appropriate Conduct Standards
As a child and youth focused organisation, Compassion cares about the treatment of all children and youth. As such, it is expected that all supporters must comply with Compassion’s Child and Youth Safeguarding standards (as outlined below) and any periodic updates made to them. Failure to comply with these standards may result in immediate suspension and possible termination of a sponsorship or other engagement.
General Commitments
These are the behavioural expectations that Compassion expects regarding the treatment of all children and youth, regardless of their affiliation with programming or status as a participant.
Demonstrate respect for all children and youth and not engage in behaviours or use language (including in the form of suggestions or advice), that is verbally, emotionally or spiritually abusive, sexually suggestive, degrading, humiliating, belittling, shaming, coercive, harmful or is otherwise culturally inappropriate.
Recognise that a supporter is accountable for their response to a child or youth’s behaviour, even when a child or youth initiates inappropriate behaviour.
Recognise that it is never appropriate for an adult to engage in a romantic relationship, marriage or sexual/sexually suggestive behaviour (including in-person and digital/virtual interactions) with anyone under age 18, even if it is legal according to local law.
Never condone or participate in illegal, unsafe, coercive or abusive behaviour of any child or youth, including physical or sexual assault, emotional abuse, in-person or online exploitation, trafficking, harmful traditional practices, and spiritual or ritualistic abuse.
Never hire or compel a child to engage in any form of work that is mentally, physically, socially, or morally dangerous and harmful to children or youth, or that interferes with their education. Ensure any employment of a child or youth, supports his or her development and complies with all local laws regarding the employment of minors.
Commitments relating to participants, former participants, and their families
These are the behavioural expectations that Compassion expects from supporters regarding the treatment of all participants, former participants, and their families.
Always uphold the trust and confidence placed in you as a child and youth advocate to protect children and youth and serve their best interests. Conduct yourself in a way that safeguards participants from all forms of abuse, neglect and exploitation.
Never share or publish personal or private information about a participant, former participant, or their family without the person’s permission, unless when done in compliance with required child protection related reporting or as mandated by law. The principle of keeping participant information confidential applies even if a supporter no longer has any affiliation with the participant, child and youth development centre, Compassion International, and/or Compassion Australia.
Recognise that in some circumstances, particularly those related to inappropriate physical or digital behaviour, a breach of these Child and Youth Protection and Appropriate Conduct standards may also be a breach of law and therefore subject a sponsor or donor to serious legal consequences.
Ensure all written and digital communications with participants is healthy and respectful, following all Compassion guidelines about written and digital communication with participants.
For the best interest of all parties, only communicate with a participant through Compassion’s established communication processes.
Never visit a participant or their caregiver(s) independent from Compassion or otherwise outside the bounds of what has been arranged on a Compassion trip or visit.
Protection and Safeguarding Commitments when participating in trips, visits or other programmatic engagements:
In addition to the behaviours outlined above, these are the expectations for behaviours in the context of participating in programming, trips, or visits at the child and youth development centre and/or with program participants, regardless of age.
Always uphold the trust and confidence placed in you as a child and youth advocate to protect children and youth and serve their best interests. Conduct yourself in a way that safeguards participants from all forms of abuse, neglect and exploitation.
Treat all participants with dignity and respect, regardless of their gender, age, race, religion, social background, culture, special needs or disability. Contribute to creating an environment where children or youth are respected and encouraged to discuss their concerns and rights.
Only engage in activities and relationships with participants that are in line with biblical principles, and appropriate to their age and developmental abilities.
Understand that sponsorship and other forms of monetary support may create a dynamic of power and authority that can affect participants and their caregivers. Avoid situations where these dynamics could be abused for personal advantage.
If made aware of any actual or potential abuse, neglect or exploitation of participants, immediately follow Compassion’s process for raising concerns and respect the privacy of everyone involved.
Engage in program-related activities with participants only in open or visible places. In the event that an activity needs to take place in an enclosed space, follow the “two adult rule,” and ensure that at least one other approved adult is present.
Submit to the lawfully permitted background or police checks as requested prior to any real-time (in-person or digital) contact with participants or access to their personal information.
Seek guidance about what is locally appropriate when taking photos or videos. Always follow Compassion and church dignity standards and will respect the wishes of people captured in the photograph or video.
Respect that participants’ and their communities may have different expectations and cultural values around appearance, language, expressions of affection and other actions and ensure that my behaviour demonstrates that respect. Follow any recommendations provided by Compassion.
Respect that everyone’s personal boundaries and comfort with appropriate physical affection is different. Avoid any kind of physical contact with participants, their families or others unless they are comfortable.
Do not use any kind of violence, physical discipline or physical punishment with participants or program staff.
Do not travel alone with a participant except in an emergency where circumstances require immediate movement to protect against serious physical injury or death. If a life-threatening emergency occurs, make all possible efforts to continue implementing child safeguards.
Comply with the specific obligations and expectations Compassion provides for each specific trip or visit.
Suspension and Termination
Where a sponsor or supporter breaches the Child and Youth Protection and Appropriate Conduct Standards, Compassion may elect to suspend or terminate a sponsorship.
Website Usage Terms
Conditions of Use
Compassion Australia provides these services described to you subject to the conditions contained within this document. If you visit our website you accept these conditions. Please read them carefully. In addition, when you use any current or future Compassion Australia website, service or visit any entity referenced by Compassion Australia in its website, you also will be subject to the guidelines and conditions applicable to any such entity.
Copyright
All content included on this site, such as text, graphics, logos, photographs, button icons, images, audio clips, digital downloads, data compilations, and software, is the sole and exclusive property of Compassion Australia or its content suppliers and is protected by Australian and international copyright laws. The compilation of all content on this site is the exclusive property of Compassion Australia and protected by Australian and international copyright laws.
Trademarks
Compassion International, Inc.’s trade names, trademarks, trade dress, and service marks, including those marks indicated on our website are the sole and exclusive property of Compassion International, Inc., including, without limitation, designs, logos, page headers, button icons and scripts (“Marks”). Compassion International, Inc.’s Marks and trade dress may not be used in connection in any way not expressly authorised in writing by the Compassion International, Inc. or in any manner that is likely to cause confusion among the public, or in any manner that disparages or discredits Compassion International, Inc. All other trademarks not owned by Compassion International, Inc. that appear on this site are the property of their respective owners.
License and Site Access
Compassion Australia grants you a limited, nonexclusive, nontransferable, and revocable license to access and make personal use of this site and not to download or modify it, or any portion of it, except with express written consent of the Compassion Australia. This license does not include any resale or commercial use of this site or its contents; any collection and use of any information, images, content or photographs or any derivative use of this site or its contents; any downloading or copying of information for the benefit of another; or any use of data mining, robots, or similar data gathering and extraction tools. This site or any portion of this site may not be reproduced, duplicated, copied, sold, resold, visited, or otherwise exploited for any commercial purpose without express written consent of Compassion Australia. You may not frame or utilise framing techniques to enclose any Marks, photographs, content or other proprietary information (including images, text, page layout, or form) of Compassion Australia’s website without express written consent. You may not use any meta tags or any other “hidden text” utilising Compassion Australia’s website name or Marks without the express written consent of Compassion Australia. Any unauthorised use terminates the permission or license granted by Compassion Australia to access this site.
DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY THIS SITE IS PROVIDED BY COMPASSION AUSTRALIA ON AN “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” BASIS. COMPASSION AUSTRALIA MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE OPERATION OF THIS SITE OR THE INFORMATION, CONTENT OR MATERIALS INCLUDED ON THIS SITE. YOU EXPRESSLY AGREE THAT YOUR USE OF THIS SITE IS AT YOUR SOLE RISK. COMPASSION AUSTRALIA DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THIS SITE, ITS SERVERS, OR E-MAIL SENT FROM THE COMPASSION AUSTRALIA WEBSITE ARE FREE OF VIRUSES OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS. COMPASSION AUSTRALIA WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES OF ANY KIND ARISING FROM THE USE OF THIS SITE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, AND CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.
Updates and changes
Compassion Australia reserves the right to make changes to this site, policies, and these terms and conditions at any time. If any of these terms or conditions shall be deemed invalid, void, or for any reason unenforceable, that term or condition shall be deemed severable and shall not affect the validity and enforceability of any remaining term or condition.