Registration requirements
To apply for a debt collector licence, applicants must:
- be at least 21 years old;
- be a person of good character and repute and a fit and proper person to hold a licence
- understand fully the duties and obligations imposed upon agents by the Act
our licence application will be referred to the Commissioner for Police who will make enquiries into whether you are a suitable person to hold a licence.
What do I need to do to lodge a complete application
To apply for a licence you must lodge a complete application. This means you must:
Individuals
- complete all of the relevant sections of the appropriate application form.
- attach/pay the correct fee. This is payable at the time of lodging the application.
- Three business references have been completed for the individual using the pro forma. at least one reference must be from a person external to your current place of employment (see Business Reference section below).
- Original fidelity bond (as per Second Schedule of the Regulations) or approved security (pro forma bank guarantee) of $6,000 (see Fidelity bond and bank guarantee information section below).
- Written notification of trust account details within 14 days of the account(s) being opened.
- Notification bank documentation detailing the name of the account(s) (ensuring that the title includes the name of licensee), the name and address of the bank where the account is kept and the BSB and account number(s).
Please note that an individual that holds a current equivalent licence or registration in another Australian State or Territory may alternatively make an application under the Mutual Recognition Act 1992 (Commonwealth).
Companies
- complete all of the relevant sections of the appropriate application form.
- attach/pay the correct fee. This is payable at the time of lodging the application.
- Three business references for each director using the pro forma. at least one reference must be from a person external to your current place of employment (see Business Reference section below).
- Original fidelity bond (as per Second Schedule of the Regulations) or approved security (pro forma bank guarantee) of $10,000 (see Fidelity bond and bank guarantee information section below).
- Written notification of trust account details within 14 days of the account(s) being opened. Please attach to your notification bank documentation detailing the name of the account(s) (ensuring that the title includes the name of licensee), the name and address of the bank where the account is kept and the BSB and account number(s).
Lodging your application
Once you have completed the application form and have all of your supporting documents ready, you can lodge your application in one of two ways:
| By Post | In Person (including payments) |
|---|---|
| Licensing Services Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety Locked Bag 100 EAST PERTH WA 6892 | Customer Service Level 1, Mason Bird Building 303 Sevenoaks Street CANNINGTON |
Fidelity bond and bank guarantee information
Show moreA licence cannot be issued until a security (bank guarantee) in the approved form (proforma) or a fidelity bond in the form prescribed by the Debt Collectors Licensing Regulations 1964 is lodged with the Commissioner. The bond or bank guarantee must be the original and for the sum of:
- $6,000 for a natural person licensee
- $10,000 for a company licensee
Fidelity bonds are accepted from:
- Institute of Mercantile Agents Limited
- White Group (VIC) Pty Ltd t/as White Insurance Brokers
- any entity that is the holder of an Australian Financial Services Licence which confers the authorisation to provide general insurance products
Bonds underwritten by Lloyds of London are also accepted.
Should a bond be terminated during the licence period the licence is deemed to be suspended until a replacement bond, that is in force, is lodged with the Commissioner.
Business reference
Show moreApplicants must provide two business references completed using the individual or body corporate pro forma.
- References from relatives/domestic partner, subordinates, business partners or co-directors will not generally be accepted.
- At least one reference must be from a person external to the applicant’s current place of employment.
- References should be as detailed as possible but include only information that is relevant to the applicant’s suitability to hold a real estate agent’s licence. Any additional relevant information should be attached.
- Applicants must have a minimum of two years’ full-time relevant experience in the preceding five years. References should outline the applicant’s relevant experience within this period.
- Where Consumer Protection is unable to determine the applicant’s suitability to hold a real estate agent’s licence due to insufficient information being provided in support of the application, the reference will not be accepted.
- The answers provided should be limited to the person’s character and repute and fitness to hold a licence.
