The Institute's 'Certified Practising Conveyancer' (CPC) program introduced the first form of self-regulation for non-lawyer conveyancers. This is the only self-regulated program that exists for Conveyancers in Australia and Victoria operates under this system for those Conveyancers who are suitably qualified. There is no Government licensing or registration program to regulate non-lawyer conveyancing practitioners in Victoria however some Government requirements do exist and are outlined in Part 13 of the Legal Practice Act 1996.

Persons must be a member of the Institute and have gained the status of Certified Practising Conveyancer to be able to use the term 'Certified Practising Conveyancer' or 'CPC'.

The Certified Practising Conveyancer (CPC) program provides Victorian non-lawyer Conveyancers with industry recognition. The CPC program also sets standards for professional training, qualifications and an ongoing professional development program.

In South Australia, non-lawyer conveyancers have been regulated for more than 100 years. In Western Australia they have been regulated since the early 1980s and in New South Wales and the Northern Territory since the early 1990s. The Tasmanian Parliament passed a bill to regulate Conveyancers on 23rd June 2004.  The Conveyancing Act 2004 will come into effect early next year. In November 2001, Queensland released an Issues Paper under National Competition Policy which concluded that the July 1999 Green Paper findings had not changed and there is no reason why Conveyancers in Queensland should not be Licensed.

Consumer Benefits

The public benefit is significant. The CPC program sets professional practice standards to ensure quality service delivery to consumers. It was the first time such standards have been established for non-lawyer conveyancers anywhere in Australia and in particular Victoria. Non lawyer Conveyancing Practitioners are now an accepted alternative to solicitors.

The Institute invested two years in research and consultation with Government regulators, academics and industry leaders to plan and draft the CPC criteria. The CPC program is based on successful conveyancing industry models used in other States and on National programs proven by other professional institutes such as those serving accountants.

The CPC program offers professional recognition through existing accredited certificate, diploma and degree courses and recognises the job function and length of experience of people involved in conveyancing work.

There are hundreds of people doing conveyancing work in conveyancing management roles in business and government who previously have not been recognised by a professional association. The CPC program fulfils this need and opens new career paths for these people.

In addition, the professional standards set by this program creates consumer confidence giving property sellers and buyers a benchmark when choosing where to obtain conveyancing services. Now consumers know they are dealing with a Qualified, Experienced Professional.