Supporting Australia’s Leading Collection and Investigation Professionals
Since 1961, the Institute of Mercantile Agents Limited (IMA) has represented and elevated the standards for Australia’s collectors, investigators, process servers, and repossession agents. Our members are dedicated professionals who work with top financial institutions, legal firms, and businesses, adhering to strict licensing and ethical standards. IMA membership offers industry recognition, professional development, and a network that champions excellence in service and ethics across all states.
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Member Updates
2026 National Conference
The 2026 Pickles IMA National Conference will be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre in Adelaide, South Australia on 10 and 11 September 2026. There will be a Gala Awards Dinner at a special location to be disclosed in due course. Welcome Networking Drinks will also be held at an offsite location. Discounted accommodation rates are also now available. Get in quick to avoid disappointment. Contact admin@imal.com.au to obtain the accommodation links.
Process Server Training Australia – NPST Course is here.
The Beebox Training NPST Course is a dynamic, industry-focused training program designed to elevate the standard of process serving across Australia. Built for real-world impact, it delivers a clear, practical framework that empowers professionals to carry out service confidently, lawfully and with precision – far beyond theory alone.
Participants gain hands-on insight into every critical aspect of process serving, from interpreting service requirements and confidently confirming identity, to managing challenging interactions and producing robust, court-ready documentation. The course also equips professionals to navigate key responsibilities such as privacy compliance, personal safety, and maintaining the highest standards of professional conduct in complex, real-life scenarios.
Purpose-built for process servers and those who manage or coordinate field operations, the NPST course stands apart from generic compliance training. It offers a nationally consistent, best-practice approach that can be applied across jurisdictions and operational environments — helping individuals and organisations deliver a trusted, professional, and defensible standard of service every time.
AWARD NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN
Do you know an outsanding professional who is raising the bar in our industry? Now is your chance to recognise excellence.
We are calling for nominations for the 2026 Industry Awards, celebrating professionals who demonstrate exceptional skill, integrity and commitment acros key sectors of our industry:
- Debt Collector of the Year recognising excellence in ethical, compliant and effective debt recovery
- Investigator/Skip Tracer of the Year – celebrating outstadning investigative skill, persistence and professionalism
- Process Server of the Year – honouring reliability, integrity and excellence in the administration of justice
- Repossession Agent of the Year recognising professionalism, skill and integrity in complex asset recovery.
Nominations can be submitted by employers, colleagues, clients or self-nomination and should highlight why the nominee stands out as a leader in their profession.
Winners will be announced at the 2026 IMA National Conference Gala Awards Dinner and must be in attendance.
NOMINATIONS CLOSE AT 5PM ON 3 AUGUST 2026
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Member Benefits
Become an Accredited Member Today
Gain access to unparalleled professional growth opportunities through membership with the Institute of Mercantile Agents. Propel your career to new heights, command respect from your peers, and outshine competitors as you establish yourself as the trusted authority in your field.
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Latest News
Read the Latest News from AGENT Magazine
Finding is Not Proving: OSINT Best Practice for Australian Private Investigators
In today's digital world, open-source intelligence is an invaluable investigative tool - but only when applied with discipline, critical thinking and sound judgement. This article jointly authored by IMA CEO, Jody Wright and Cat Brownlie of Skip Tracing Australia, explores practical best practice for Australian private investigators, from verifying identities
Managing Asset Recovery in Default Scenarios: Lessons from the Recovery Highway
Asset recovery is rarely straightforward. In this insightful article, Natalie Markovski of Law Squared explores the legal and practical challenges financiers, recoveries managers and field agents face when dealing with defaulted secured finance contracts. From voluntary surrenders and payment arrangements to repossession orders, locating hidden assets and managing safety risks,
Reducing Risk, Improving Recovery and Success: Why DEI is Now a Business Imperative
In this article by Steven Asnicar at Diversity Australia & New Zealand, we explore why Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) is no longer a “nice to have” but a critical driver of risk reduction, stronger recovery outcomes and long term success. If you want to understand where the industry is
Staying Safe and In Control: Practical Lessons from the Field
In this recent article, Jodie Bedoya from eMatrix Training in a follow up to her IMA National Conference session, gives a brief rundown on staying safe and in control in the field including practical tips. The key takeaway is “Mindset over Muscle” – respect, preparation and calm control beat
Understanding Trespass: Implied Licence & Consent Law
Trespass law isn’t optional knowledge for process servers, repossession agents or field agents – it’s essential. This article by Nick Boyd, Beebox Training, explores implied licence, lawful entry and what happens when those limits are ignored, with case law and industry examples that highlight why compliance and respect for occupiers’
Watching the Watchers: The Legal Risks of Unlicensed Surveillance
In this article our CEO, Jody Wright, explores the licensing requirements in each state and territory of Australia for surveillance activities. If you are sitting off a property and watching who comes and goes, that's surveillance. Even if it is just a repossession or debt matter or a
Navigating the Intricacies of Field Calls in Australia’s Mercantile Industry
In this Article, Nick Boyd from Beebox Training, with the assistance of our CEO, Jody Wright, delves into the nuances of field calls and the various legislative licensing and other regulatory requirements faced by agents when conducting these activities.
Addressing Costs Challenges in the Mercantile Industry.
In this article our CEO, Jody Wright, highlights the critical need to tackle costs challenges within the Mercantile Industry. By recognising the value of their work and maintaining pricing integrity, agents play a pivotal role in sustaining the profession's credibility, integrity and longevity..