What to check before paying an agency deposit
A practical checklist for checking an agency licence, written fees, inclusions, refund terms, and receipts before paying.
Before paying a deposit, confirm the agency's licence identity and get the service scope, payment schedule, and refund terms in writing. A verbal price or short payment message is not enough to compare what happens if the hire changes or stops.
Verify who receives the money
Check the licensed name and licence number on the Labour Department portal. Compare them with the name on the agreement, payment request, and receipt. Ask for an explanation if the payee is a different company or person.
Ask for an itemised quotation
The quotation should name the hiring route, package price, third-party charges, exclusions, and charges that may change. Ask about medical checks, insurance, training, travel, visas, documents, local handling, and origin-country costs.
Read the agreement before paying
Check:
- the deposit amount and remaining payment dates;
- what work begins after each payment;
- cancellation and refund rules;
- replacement terms and time limits;
- what happens if the helper withdraws or cannot proceed;
- which promises are written into the agreement.
Do not rely on an advertisement to fill a gap in the signed terms. Keep the quotation, agreement, receipts, and messages together.
Check how to raise a dispute
Ask for the agency's complaint contact and escalation steps. The Consumer Council publishes complaint channels and sector reports, while the Labour Department portal provides agency licence and enforcement information. Their roles are different, so record the facts and use the channel that fits the issue.
Final check
Pause if the agency will not provide a written breakdown, licence identity, receipt, or refund terms. Re-check any time-sensitive official information before signing.
Read the licence-check guide, the Consumer Council guide, and our source method.