Terms of Service

1. Introduction

These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your use of services provided by Cipher Projects (ABN: 38 668 009 836), an Australian company committed to ethical business practices and compliance with all applicable Australian laws and regulations.

2. Acceptance of Terms

By engaging our services, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not use our services.

3. Services

Cipher Projects provides software development, cloud infrastructure, DevOps, and related technology consulting services. We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue any service at any time with reasonable notice.

4. Client Obligations

Clients agree to:

• Provide accurate and complete information
• Cooperate in good faith throughout the project
• Make timely payments as agreed
• Respect intellectual property rights
• Comply with all applicable laws and regulations

5. Payment Terms

Payment terms are specified in individual service agreements. Late payments may incur interest charges at the rate of 1.5% per month or the maximum rate permitted by law, whichever is lower.

6. Intellectual Property

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, all intellectual property developed specifically for a client belongs to the client upon full payment. Pre-existing intellectual property and general methodologies remain the property of Cipher Projects.

7. Confidentiality

We maintain strict confidentiality regarding all client information and projects. We will not disclose confidential information except as required by law or with explicit client consent.

8. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by Australian law, Cipher Projects’ liability is limited to the amount paid for the specific service giving rise to the claim. We exclude liability for indirect, consequential, or special damages.

9. Ethical Business Practices

9.1 Anti-Slavery and Human Trafficking

Cipher Projects is committed to combating slavery and human trafficking in all its forms. We:

• Prohibit the use of forced, bonded, or involuntary labor
• Ensure all workers are paid fair wages and work reasonable hours
• Require our suppliers and partners to adhere to the same standards
• Conduct due diligence on our supply chain to identify and mitigate risks
• Provide training to staff on identifying and reporting potential slavery or trafficking

9.2 Child Protection

We are committed to protecting children and preventing child exploitation. We:

• Prohibit the employment of anyone under 18 years of age
• Require age verification for all employees and contractors
• Maintain a zero-tolerance policy toward child labor or exploitation
• Report any suspected child exploitation to appropriate authorities
• Ensure our technology solutions cannot be used to facilitate child exploitation

9.3 Fair Labor Practices

We are committed to fair and ethical employment practices:

• Equal opportunity employment regardless of race, gender, religion, or nationality
• Safe and healthy working conditions
• Respect for workers’ rights to freedom of association
• Prohibition of discrimination and harassment
• Regular review of working conditions and practices

10. Grievance Policy

Cipher Projects maintains an open-door policy for addressing concerns and grievances. Staff, contractors, and stakeholders can:

• Submit anonymous grievances to: grievances@cipherprojects.com
• Report concerns about unethical behavior, safety issues, or policy violations
• Expect confidential and prompt investigation of all reports
• Be protected from retaliation for good-faith reporting

All grievances are investigated thoroughly and appropriate action is taken to address legitimate concerns.

11. Compliance and Reporting

We comply with all applicable Australian laws including but not limited to:

• Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth)
• Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth)
• Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)
• Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth)
• Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)

12. Termination

Either party may terminate services with reasonable notice as specified in individual service agreements. Termination does not affect accrued rights and obligations.

13. Dispute Resolution

Any disputes will be resolved through good faith negotiation. If unsuccessful, disputes will be subject to mediation and, if necessary, arbitration under Australian law in the Australian Capital Territory.

14. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by Australian law and the laws of the Australian Capital Territory. The courts of the Australian Capital Territory have exclusive jurisdiction.

15. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.

16. Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. Material changes will be communicated to clients with reasonable notice. Continued use of our services constitutes acceptance of updated Terms.

17. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms or to report concerns, contact us at:

Cipher Projects
Address: 61 Ainsworth Street, Mawson ACT 2607
Phone: +61 2 6176 1580
Email: hello@cipherprojects.com
Grievances: grievances@cipherprojects.com

18. Acknowledgment

By engaging our services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service, including our commitment to ethical business practices and compliance with Australian law.