What the AVG Travels collapse tells us about booking travel safely
By now, you’ve probably seen the news. AVG Travels (a Melbourne-based travel agency) collapsed in May 2026, leaving over 800 Australians out of pocket, without refunds and in many cases, without the holidays they’d already paid for in full.
The fallout has been significant: hundreds of creditors, millions of dollars in losses, and countless people left to navigate the difficult process of trying to recover what they’d paid.
But here’s the detail that got less attention in the coverage: AVG Travels had its ATIA accreditation cancelled back in August 2022, after failing to meet the financial and ethical standards required to remain in the program. The company continued taking bookings for nearly four years after that.
That’s an important and publicly available warning sign, but most people simply didn’t know where to look.
What is ATIA accreditation?
The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) is Australia’s peak body for the travel industry. ATIA accreditation isn’t self-declared — it requires businesses to undergo independent annual assessments against a rigorous set of standards.
To become — and remain — ATIA accredited, a travel business must demonstrate:
- Financial accountability and business stability
- Ethical business practices
- Compliance with industry regulations and Australian Consumer Law
- Professional expertise and commitment to ongoing industry standards
- Access to an independent complaints resolution process for customers
Critically, accreditation is not a one-time achievement. Businesses must meet these standards every year to maintain their status. AVG Travels’ removal from the program in 2022 is a clear example of what happens when a business stops meeting them.
What does this mean for disability travellers and their families?
For anyone booking a supported holiday or disability travel in Australia, the stakes of choosing the wrong provider are higher than they are for the average traveller.
When you or someone you support is travelling with a disability, the planning that goes into a trip is considerable. Support needs have to be carefully matched. NDIS funding may be involved. Carers or support workers may need to be coordinated. For many people, this kind of travel takes months to organise.
If a travel provider collapses, the impact isn’t just financial. It’s the loss of a trip that may have taken significant effort to plan — and that may have been genuinely important to the wellbeing and independence of the person travelling.
That’s why knowing how to identify a trustworthy, accountable provider matters so much in this space.
What accreditation means in practice
An ATIA accreditation badge on a travel provider’s website means they’ve been independently verified – not just once, but every year. It means:
- Their financial position has been assessed and meets the required standards
- They operate ethically and in line with Australian Consumer Law
- There is an independent complaints process available to you if something goes wrong
- They are subject to ongoing monitoring (not just a one-off check)
None of this is a guarantee that nothing will ever go wrong. But it does mean you’re booking with a business that has been held to account and continues to be.
What accreditation means in practice
Before booking with any travel provider, disability travel or otherwise, you can check their ATIA accreditation status in seconds through TravelTick, ATIA’s free public verification platform.
Visit traveltick.com.au and search for the provider by name. If they’re accredited, they’ll appear in the directory. If they’re not (or if they’ve been removed), you’ll know before you hand over any money.
It’s a simple step. And given what’s happened with AVG Travels, it’s one we’d encourage every traveller and every family, carer, and support coordinator to make a habit.
Why Leisure Options holds both ATIA and NDIS credentials
Leisure Options has held ATIA accreditation throughout our 30+ years of operation. We’re also a nationally registered NDIS provider – a separate and equally rigorous layer of accountability that requires us to meet the NDIS Practice Standards and Quality and Safeguards Framework.
Together, these two credentials reflect our commitment to operating to the highest standards – not because we have to, but because the people who travel with us deserve nothing less.
We believe people with disability deserve confidence and transparency when planning their journeys. That means being open about who we are, how we operate, and where you can independently verify our credentials.
You can verify Leisure Options’ ATIA accreditation status at traveltick.com.au/members/leisure-options at any time.
Plan your next supported holiday with confidence
Whether you’re planning your first supported holiday or you’re a regular traveller, we’re here to help you do it safely, confidently, and with the right level of support.
Leisure Options offers:
- Group holidays across Australia and internationally
- Individual, tailored holidays for those who prefer a private experience
- Short-term respite (STR) stays for participants
- Travel support for a wide range of disability support needs and categories
Visit leisureoptions.com.au or call 1300 363 713 to start planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ATIA accreditation?
ATIA accreditation is independent, annual verification that a travel business meets the Australian Travel Industry Association’s standards for financial accountability, ethical practice, compliance with Australian Consumer Law, and professional expertise. It is not self-declared and must be renewed every year.
What happened with AVG Travels?
AVG Travels, a Melbourne-based travel agency, collapsed in May 2026 leaving thousands of Australians without refunds or holidays they had paid for. The company had its ATIA accreditation cancelled in August 2022 after failing to meet required standards, but continued taking bookings for nearly four years after that removal.
How do I check if a travel agent is ATIA accredited?
You can verify any travel provider’s ATIA accreditation status through TravelTick (traveltick.com.au), ATIA’s free public directory. Search for the business by name to confirm whether they are currently accredited.
Why does ATIA accreditation matter for disability travel?
For people with disability, families, and carers, the planning that goes into a supported holiday is significant, and the consequences of a provider collapsing or failing to deliver are particularly serious. Booking with an ATIA-accredited provider means the business has been independently assessed for financial stability, ethical conduct, and compliance, giving travellers and their support networks an important layer of assurance.
Is Leisure Options ATIA accredited?
Yes. Leisure Options has held ATIA accreditation throughout its 30+ years of operation. We are also a nationally registered NDIS provider. You can verify our accreditation status at traveltick.com.au
Does Leisure Options accept NDIS funding?
Yes. Leisure Options is a nationally registered NDIS provider. We can support participants to use NDIS funding for the disability support component of a supported holiday. Contact us to discuss what’s available in your plan.
About Leisure Options
Leisure Options is Australia’s leading disability travel agency, with more than 30 years of experience helping people with disability travel safely, confidently, and with the right level of support. We are a nationally registered NDIS provider and proud ATIA-accredited travel business.
To find out more about our supported holidays, visit leisureoptions.com.au or call 1300 363 713.