APRIL 2026
These Terms & Conditions apply to all catering and event services provided by New Mensa (“we”, “us”, “our”). By confirming a booking or paying a deposit, the client (“you”, “the client”) agrees to these Terms & Conditions.
1. BOOKING CONFIRMATION & DEPOSIT SCHEDULE
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To secure your event date, a 10% non-refundable deposit of the total estimated event cost is required.
Bookings are not confirmed until:
A written quote has been accepted; and
The initial deposit has been received.
Payment Schedule:
PAYMENT STAGE — AMOUNT DUE
Upon booking confirmation — 10% non-refundable deposit
60 days prior to event — Additional 20% (30% total paid)
30 days prior to event — Additional 40% (70% total paid)
7 days prior to event — Remaining 30% balance
New Mensa reserves the right to cancel or release the event date if any scheduled payment is not received by the required due date.
For bookings confirmed within 30 days of the event, New Mensa may require a revised payment schedule or full prepayment at the time of booking.
2. FINAL CHARGES
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Following the event, a final invoice may be issued for:
Additional guests
Extended staff hours
Additional hire items
Breakages or damages
Additional agreed services
All final invoices are payable within 7 days of issue. Outstanding accounts may incur interest at 10% per annum, and recovery costs may be charged where applicable.
3. PRICING POLICY
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Pricing is based on estimated guest numbers and event requirements. Prices may change where:
Guest numbers change
Event duration changes
Staffing requirements increase
Equipment hire requirements change
Venue logistics impact labour or delivery requirements
Unless stated otherwise:
GST will be itemised separately
Delivery, staffing, and equipment hire may be quoted separately
Public holidays incur additional surcharges on labour and services
4. MINIMUM NUMBERS & MINIMUM SPEND
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At this stage there are no minimum numbers. A minimum event spend may apply, particularly for weekend or evening events. You will be notified at the time of quoting.
5. FINAL GUEST NUMBERS
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Final confirmed guest numbers must be provided no later than 5 business days prior to the event.
This number will be considered the minimum chargeable number
Reductions after this date cannot be accepted
Increases may be accommodated up to 3 business days prior, subject to availability
Large-scale events may require longer confirmation periods
6. STAFFING
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Where staffing is required, labour will be quoted based on:
Event size
Service style
Venue requirements
Unless otherwise stated:
Minimum staffing call is 3–4 hours
Additional hours will be charged where events run beyond the agreed schedule
Staff overtime must be approved by the client where possible, but may be applied for operational or safety reasons
7. EVENT TIMING & VENUE CONDITIONS
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Events will operate according to agreed start and finish times. If an event:
Starts earlier than scheduled
Extends beyond the agreed finish time
additional staffing, venue, and operational charges may apply.
The client is responsible for ensuring the venue:
Is accessible for delivery and setup
Provides suitable kitchen or service areas where required
Complies with relevant safety and access requirements
8. CANCELLATIONS
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All cancellations must be submitted in writing.
All deposits paid to date are non-refundable
Where a scheduled payment has not yet been made at the time of cancellation, the client remains liable for the outstanding amount due under the deposit schedule at the time of cancellation
CANCELLATION TIMING — AMOUNT PAYABLE
Prior to 60 days — 10% of event value
60 – 31 days prior — 30% of event value
30 – 8 days prior — 70% of event value
Within 7 days — 100% of event value
These fees reflect costs incurred in event planning, staffing allocation, supplier commitments, food purchasing, and loss of opportunities.
9. POSTPONEMENTS
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If an event is postponed:
NOTICE PERIOD — DEPOSIT TREATMENT
More than 14 days — 90% of deposit transferred to new date
Within 14 days — Full event cost payable
Postponed events must be rescheduled within 12 months of the original event date.
10. EQUIPMENT HIRE, DELIVERY & PICKUP
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New Mensa can arrange hire equipment on behalf of the client, including but not limited to:
Glassware
Crockery
Furniture
Catering equipment
Event infrastructure
Delivery & Pickup
A delivery and pickup fee applies to all events
Fees vary depending on the requirements for each event and will be communicated at time of quoting
If equipment is requested to remain onsite beyond the normal pickup date/time, additional charges may apply
Further deliveries will incur an additional charge
Client Responsibilities:
Loss, breakage, damage, or missing items
Replacement costs will be charged where required
11. CLEANING SERVICES
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New Mensa may conduct a general wash-up of equipment and service items on site where facilities allow.
If onsite washing is not possible, cleaning may be completed at New Mensa premises at the standard labour rate
Final labour hours used will be invoiced and payable by the client
12. MENU TASTINGS
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Menu tastings are conducted at New Mensa’s discretion
Charges apply and will be quoted at the time of discussion
All guests partaking in tastings must be paid for
Tastings may be conducted at a location and time determined by New Mensa
Requests for alternative locations or times may incur additional costs
Minimum attendance for tastings is 6 guests unless otherwise agreed
13. FOOD SAFETY & LEFTOVER FOOD
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Food is intended for immediate consumption during the service period
New Mensa cannot guarantee safe storage or handling once service concludes
If leftover food remains onsite, the client assumes full responsibility for food safety and handling
New Mensa accepts no liability for food consumed after the service period
14. DIETARY REQUIREMENTS & ALLERGENS
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Our menus may contain or be prepared in environments that handle:
Gluten, Wheat, Dairy, Eggs, Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Soy, Sesame, Fish, Shellfish, Lupin, Sulphites
Reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate dietary requirements, but complete allergen-free guarantees cannot be provided
Special dietary meals may incur additional charges
By engaging our services, the client acknowledges this risk and agrees that New Mensa is not liable for allergic reactions, except where required by law
15. ALCOHOL & RESPONSIBLE SERVICE
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Where alcohol service is provided:
New Mensa staff operate in accordance with RSA laws
Staff may refuse service to intoxicated persons or cease alcohol service for safety or compliance reasons
The client agrees to support all responsible service decisions
16. CONDUCT
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New Mensa maintains a zero-tolerance policy for abusive, threatening, or inappropriate behaviour toward staff or suppliers. Service may be ceased or staff withdrawn where safety or wellbeing is compromised.
17. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
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New Mensa will not be liable for:
Loss or damage to client or guest property
Damage to venue property caused by guests
Delays caused by circumstances outside our control
Liability is limited to the extent permitted under Australian law.
18. FORCE MAJEURE
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New Mensa will not be responsible for failure to perform services due to:
Government restrictions
Natural disasters
Extreme weather
Venue closures
Supply chain disruption
Where possible, events will be rescheduled in good faith.
19. ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS
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Confirmation of a booking by:
Written acceptance of a quote
Payment of a deposit
Written confirmation via email
constitutes acceptance of these Terms & Conditions.