The director of a training organisation that failed to provide thousands of dollars in education services has been restrained from certain business practices for nine years.
In 2012 and 2013, three consumers entered into contracts with Nextstep (Australia) Pty Ltd (ACN 100 640 604) for training or employment services. Mark Smith, 54, of Lower Plenty, was a director of Nextstep. The consumers paid $3000, $6600 and $16,600 respectively, but Nextstep did not provide the services.
At a hearing at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court, Mr Smith was found to have contravened the Australian Consumer Law (Victoria) and was restrained until 1 July 2024 from:
- requesting payment or other consideration for the sale, delivery or provision of employment, immigration, education or training services, before delivering them
- falsely representing that he will sell, deliver or provide employment, immigration, education or training services.
Nextstep (Australia) Pty Ltd is now deregistered.