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Important note: You must use our myCAV online system to apply for a conveyancer’s licence.
To start using myCAV, you will need to create your own myCAV account, using a personal email address to verify your identity and sign in to your account. If you already have a myCAV account, sign in and select ‘Apply for a conveyancer’s licence – company’.
For more information, view About myCAV.
Before starting your application
Definitions
Conveyancing
The process of transferring the legal title of property or a business from a seller to a buyer is conveyancing. Conveyancing can also include the process of creating other legal interests in land, such as a mortgage, a lease, or an assignment of lease. It also includes legal work connected with the sale or purchase of goodwill and stock-in-trade and the transfer of any relevant business licence or permit.
Conveyancer
A conveyancer is a person or company, other than an Australian legal practitioner, who carries on a conveyancing business for a fee or reward. This applies even if conveyancing is not the main purpose of the business.
Eligibility
Australian legal practitioners and incorporated legal practices can conduct conveyancing work in accordance with the Legal Profession Act 2004. They are not required to be licensed for conveyancing work.
To be eligible for a conveyancer's licence your company must:
- be covered by a minimum of $2 million professional indemnity insurance by the current approved broker. For more information, view Professional indemnity insurance.
- have at least one director who holds a Victorian individual conveyancer's licence.
Directors wishing to obtain an individual licence must complete and lodge a separate individual licence application form at the same time as the company application. For more information, view Apply for a conveyancer’s licence – individual.
Ineligibility
The company is automatically ineligible to be licensed if it or any director is:
- currently under external administration or insolvent under administration (bankrupt, debt agreements under Part IX or Part X of the Bankruptcy Act 1966)
- a disqualified person within the meaning of the Legal Profession Act 2004
- currently disqualified from holding a conveyancer’s licence (or equivalent) anywhere in Australia or elsewhere, or the subject of an order by any regulatory body disqualifying it/them from acting as a conveyancer or equivalent
- a represented person under the Guardianship and Administration Act 1986 (and a guardian or administrator has been appointed).
The company may also be ineligible if it or any director:
- within the last 10 years, has been convicted or found guilty of a disqualifying offence involving fraud, dishonesty, drug trafficking or violence punishable by 3 months or more in prison. For information about spent convictions, view Spent convictions
- has ever had a claim admitted from the Victorian Property Fund.
Permission
For disqualifying criminal offences and claims against the Victorian Property Fund, you may still be granted a licence if you apply for permission.
For more information, view:
Records checks
You must submit a consent form and certified copies of the required identity documents as part of your application. For more information, view Records checks.
The correct documents, properly certified, will help your application avoid delays.
The BLA will conduct checks with the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) and other agencies to verify your eligibility to hold a licence. Any disputes about the accuracy of the results of the checks will be referred to the ACIC. Visit ACIC.
Fees
The application fee from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024 is $1,448.90.
The application fee must be paid at the time of application. The fee is non-refundable.
Providing incorrect information
It is a serious offence to knowingly or recklessly make a false or misleading statement in relation to a licence application. Significant fines apply.
Unlicensed trading
Unlicensed conveyancers are liable for significant fines and/or two years in prison.
How to apply
Complete and lodge the conveyancers company licence application via myCAV.
Start application
Additional documents required with the application
- A copy of your professional indemnity insurance certificate issued by the current approved broker.
- A completed Consent to national criminal history and other record checks (Word, 353KB).
- Certified copies of the required identification documents including at least one document containing your certified photograph. Details are on the Consent to national criminal history and other record checks form.
After you lodge your application
Processing time
To avoid delays, please complete the form correctly and attach all necessary documents. The average processing time last quarter was 24 days.
You must not conduct conveyancing business unless the BLA grants you a licence.
Additional information
When considering your application, the BLA may require you to provide further information. You will be notified by email if further information is required. The BLA may refuse your application if you do not provide this within a reasonable timeframe.
Change of information
If any change occurs in the information you have provided in your licence application, you must notify the BLA in writing within 14 days of becoming aware of the change.
Sharing your information
The BLA gives your information to:
- Consumer Affairs Victoria
- other law enforcement and regulatory bodies
- your professional indemnity insurance provider.
These organisations may report any relevant information to the BLA.
For privacy information, view Information and privacy - BLA.
Withdrawing your application
You can withdraw your application in writing at any time before it has been determined by the BLA. Please note that the fee is non-refundable.
Refusal of application
If your application is not successful, you will be notified by email. You can appeal the decision by applying to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) within 28 days of the decision.
Successful application
If your application is successful, you will receive a conveyancer’s licence by email. Your licence is ongoing unless surrendered, suspended, disqualified or cancelled. You can view and print a copy of your licence certificate in your myCAV account. To familiarise yourself with your ongoing obligations and licensing requirements, view Running your business.
Conditions on a licence
The BLA may impose conditions on a licence:
- which must be complied with before the BLA grants a licence
- when the BLA grants a licence
- at any time, at the request of any person, or on the BLA’s own initiative.
The BLA may also vary or revoke any of the conditions or restrictions imposed on a licence.