Contact Consumer Protection
Tel: 1300 30 40 54
consumer@demirs.wa.gov.au
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In Western Australia, there are two ways a person may arrange settlements or carry on business as a real estate settlement agent (individual, company, or partnership), or a business settlement agent (individual, company, or partnership).
The licensing system administered by Consumer Protection ensures only suitably qualified people are allowed to operate in the settlement industry.
As part of the licensing system, people are required to have certain qualifications, experience, sufficient material and financial resources, and be a fit and proper person of good character and repute.
Applicants for a real estate or business settlement agent's licence must have passed the examinations which are required by a public training provider or registered training provider in order to complete an Advanced Diploma of Conveyancing.
Individuals that have completed the superseded Diploma of Conveyancing must lodge an application for a real estate or business settlement agent’s licence on or before 31 December 2024 for the qualification to be accepted. From 1 January 2025, only the Advanced Diploma of Conveyancing can be accepted in support of an application.
To locate a registered training organisation that is approved to deliver the Diploma you can search the National Vocational Education and Training Register at the Australian Training Sector website.
Real estate and business settlement agent's licence applicants are required to provide a statement of academic record issued by the public training provider or registered training provider verifying that they have completed the education qualifications prescribed in regulation 6(2) of the Settlement Agents Regulations 1982.
Each licensed settlement agent is issued with a licensing kit upon request.
The Settlement Agents Act 1981 also requires separate licences be obtained by firms (partnership licence) and companies (body corporate licence) which are set up as settlement agencies. For firms and companies to be licensed, and to continue to be licensed, they must meet and maintain certain standards, including a minimum number of licence holders, staff supervision and sound financial practices.
The licence and triennial certificate must be surrendered within five days after the licensee ceased to have the required number of licensed directors or have a licensed person in bona fide control of the business.
If the body corporate ceases to be qualified by reason of death or withdrawal, they can notify the Commissioner and operate for up to three months, after which they must surrender their licence and triennial certificate if they remain unqualified.
Settlement agents forms:
If a licence holder does not wish to continue to carry on business, they may surrender their triennial certificate at any time by paying the required holding fee to retain their licence. When ready to return to the industry, the licence holder can apply to renew their triennial certificate.
A licensee is required to provide the following information/documentation in support of the application lodged to renew the triennial certificate:
To allow enough time for processing and any follow-up requirements relating to your application, it’s important to lodge a complete renewal application with all documentation at least one month before the expiry date. If the renewal is not processed and granted by the expiry date, you are no longer licensed to work. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
If the renewal is not processed and granted by the expiry date, you are no longer licensed to work. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
If a licence holder legally changes their name, they must provide a copy of their name change document (or marriage certificate) as well as a copy of their photographic identification in their new name.
Written notice and relevant supporting documentation should be submitted by email. There is no application fee. A new licence/certificate will be sent to your nominated postal address.
The Commissioner may impose or remove conditions on licences and triennial certificates at any time. If the Commissioner is considering imposing a condition, the licence holder must be notified in writing, and be offered the opportunity to make submissions in relation to the proposed condition.
You can obtain additional information on the CPD program from:
If you have any questions about the application process, please phone the licensing contact centre:
If you are registered or licensed as a settlement agent elsewhere in Australia or New Zealand, and want to be registered in Western Australia, you can find out more information about having your licence recognised in WA.
Unlicensed real estate and business settlement agents who falsely claim to be, or imply they are, a licensed real estate and business settlement agent are liable for a $100,000 penalty.
Real estate and business settlement agents who permit or are willing to permit others to use their licence and triennial certificate are liable for a $100,000 penalty.
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