The deal, plainly.

What Gear Envy is

A marketplace where Sydney locals hire creator gear from each other. We run the platform (payments, the photo record, the claims process) but the hire agreement is between renter and owner.

The bond

Each owner sets a bond on their listing. It's a temporary pre-authorisation hold on the renter's card, released after the gear comes back in good condition. It is captured only for a documented damage or non-return claim, as set out under Damage handling below. A cancelled booking never captures it.

Damage handling

When an owner sets a bond, it is a refundable hold on the renter's card. Any accidental damage is handled through a documented claims process, backed by the photo evidence both sides take at handover. It is a platform feature, not an insurance product.

Regulated gear and lawful use

You are responsible for meeting every legal requirement that applies to the gear you hire and to how you use it. For drones that means CASA's rules on registration, operator accreditation and where and how you fly; for other gear it means whatever licence, permit or rule applies to its use. You must not use hired gear unlawfully. The declaration you make about drone use when you book is recorded on the booking, and unlawful use is a breach of these terms and of the hire agreement.

Fees

Owners pay a 15% commission on completed bookings: they keep 85% of their listed price. Renters pay a 5% service fee (minimum $2) on the hire price for using Gear Envy. The full breakdown shows before you commit, always.

Commission rates may change. We'll give you notice first, and you'll need to accept the updated terms before your next hire.

Tax and business accounts

If your business earns more than $75,000 in a year, you must register for GST. Once your hire earnings on Gear Envy reach $74,000 over any 12 months, you must hold a business account with us and register your ABN with it, and your listings can't take new bookings until you do. Bookings already confirmed are not affected. Anyone can set up a business account at any time from their account page.

Gear Envy makes reasonable efforts to let you know as you get close. Complying with tax law, including GST registration, is your responsibility.

Cancellations

Each owner picks a cancellation tier per listing: Flexible, Moderate or Strict, shown before you book. What each tier refunds is set out in the cancellation policy.

Staying on-platform

Messages are screened for contact details and off-platform payment hints. Outside a booking there's no bond, no claims process and no reviews for either side.