Terms and Conditions

The Microalgae Project

 Operated by East Coast Algae Biosystems Pty Ltd

Last updated: July 2026. 

Overview:

These Terms and Conditions apply to participation in The Microalgae Project (“the Project”), operated by East Coast Algae Biosystems Pty Ltd (“ECA”). The participating school, education provider or other approved organisation (“the School”) agrees to these Terms when it accepts ECA’s written confirmation of participation.

1. Eligibility

• The Project is available to schools and other education providers, subject to ECA confirming capacity, timing, the collection location, transport arrangements and applicable biosecurity requirements. Participation involving samples collected outside NSW requires ECA’s prior approval.

• Participation must be coordinated by an authorised teacher or School representative.

• The School is responsible for obtaining any approvals, permissions or consents required under its policies or applicable law.

2. Sample Collection

• Sample collection is undertaken and supervised by the School.

• The School must select an appropriate collection site and avoid sites that are unsafe, restricted, known or reasonably suspected to be contaminated, or known to present a biosecurity risk.

• The School must follow the training video, field guide and kit instructions.

• The School is responsible for student supervision, any required risk assessment, site permissions and compliance with its fieldwork and excursion policies.

• The School must promptly advise ECA of any known or suspected safety, contamination or biosecurity concern connected with a collection site or sample.

• The following sample restrictions apply:

Participating schools must:

• collect only the small aquatic samples needed for the Project

• collect from appropriate local aquatic habitats

• avoid collecting fish, tadpoles, large aquatic animals, large plant material or bulk sediment

• keep samples sealed and labelled

• Do not collect from restricted, unsafe, contaminated or known biosecurity-risk sites.

• Return samples using the supplied packaging only.

3. Kit Use and Return

• Kits include the collection and return materials described on The Microalgae Project webpage and confirmed in writing when participation is accepted.

• Samples should be posted on the day of collection where possible.

• Late returns may affect sample quality, processing availability and delivery timing. ECA may decline to process samples that are no longer suitable.

• The School must follow the supplied collection, labelling, packaging and return instructions.

• The collection period and sample-return date will be agreed with the School when participation is confirmed. The School must contact ECA as soon as possible if a date needs to change, and any revised date must be agreed in writing.

4. Sample Processing and Deliverables

• Samples are examined and filmed under microscopy for education and science communication purposes. The Project is not an environmental monitoring, diagnostic testing, regulatory assessment or water-quality certification service.

• The School will receive the standard deliverables described on The Microalgae Project webpage and confirmed in writing when participation is accepted.

• Where reasonably possible, ECA will identify selected organisms or taxonomic groups to an appropriate level for the customised film and learning resources. Species-level identification is not guaranteed.

• Samples will be managed under ECA’s Biosecurity Plan.

5. No Microalgae Found

• Aquatic samples naturally vary, and ECA cannot guarantee that every sample will contain suitable microalgae or other organisms for filming or identification.

• Where few or no suitable organisms are observed, ECA will contact the School to discuss the circumstances and agree on an appropriate next step.

• Any agreement reached will be confirmed in writing.

6. Turnaround Time

• The customised film is generally delivered within approximately four weeks of ECA receiving suitable samples, unless another timeframe is agreed with the School. This is an estimate rather than a guaranteed delivery date, and ECA will advise the School if a material delay is expected.

7. Intellectual Property

• Unless otherwise agreed in writing, ECA retains ownership and full copyrights of the microscopy footage, customised films, images and classroom resources it creates.

• The School must not sell, commercially license or distribute ECA material outside the permitted use without ECA’s prior written approval.

• The School must not remove ECA credits, branding or watermarks, or alter scientific content in a misleading way. Any permission for public use must also be consistent with the music and other third-party rights applying to the material.

8. Privacy and Data Use

• Student names and direct student contact details are not required for the Project.

• Schools must not include student names on sample containers or collection records returned to ECA.

• ECA will not publicly identify a School, teacher or student without prior permission.

• Personal information is handled in accordance with ECA’s Privacy Policy.

9. Payment and Refunds

• The price, payment timetable and any funded or subsidised arrangements will be confirmed before participation. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, full payment is required before kits are dispatched.

•  If a school needs to change the timing of the program, East Coast Algae will work with the school to reschedule where practical.

• Additional or customised services must be agreed in writing and may involve an additional charge. Nothing in these Terms excludes, restricts or modifies any right or remedy that cannot lawfully be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law.

10. School Responsibilities

• Ensure students are supervised and the School’s safety, fieldwork and site requirements are followed.

• Follow the collection, labelling, packaging and return instructions and return samples by the agreed date.

• Communicate any safety concern, damage, delay or proposed change to ECA promptly.

11. Liability

•  Each party remains responsible for its own acts and omissions. To the extent permitted by law, ECA is not responsible for loss, delay or damage resulting from:

• the School’s failure to follow the supplied instructions or meet its supervision, site-selection, risk-assessment or permission responsibilities

• prohibited material, incorrect packaging, late return or sample deterioration caused by circumstances outside ECA’s reasonable control

• postal delays or School scheduling changes outside ECA’s reasonable control. Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits a liability, right or remedy that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.

12. Contact

 East Coast Algae Biosystems Pty Ltd 

 steph@ecabiosystems.com. 

These Terms are governed by the laws of New South Wales, Australia.