What are some of the things I must do to prepare for Settlement?

All Victorian conveyancing settlements are now conducted electronically on “PEXA” (Property Exchange Australia Limited) platform. https://www.pexa.com.au/

This means there are some new and different requirements to what you may have previously experienced if you have bought or sold a property in Victoria previously. There is no longer a physical settlement, and you are not required to attend in person.

All parties to a land transaction must authorise their solicitor to complete and sign all documents required for payment for that land transaction, including payment of land transfer duty and to effect electronic settlements or to lodge documents on PEXA. This is done by signing the Client Authorisation form we prepare for you.

In addition, all parties to a land transaction must now have their identity formally verified. You can attend at Australia Post or engage ZipID or attend at our office. The requirements for verification of identity are outlined in the “ Model Operating Requirements” prescribed by “ARNECC”. https://www.arnecc.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Model_Operating_Requirements_Version_6.1_clean.pdf.

You must produce current and original identity documents in one of the categories outlined below:

For persons who are Australian citizens or residents:

A. Australian Citizens or Residents

• Category 1
  Australian Passport or foreign passport
  plus Australian drivers’ licence or Photo Card
  plus change of name or marriage certificate if necessary
• Category 2
  Australian Passport or foreign passport
  plus full birth certificate or citizenship certificate or descent certificate
  plus Medicare or Centrelink or Department of Veterans’ Affairs card
  plus change of name or marriage certificate if necessary
• Category 3
  Australian driver’s licence or photo card
  plus full birth certificate or citizenship certificate or descent certificate
  plus Medicare or Centrelink or Department of Veterans’ Affairs card
  plus change of name or marriage certificate if necessary.
• Category 4
  Choose one of Option A or B.
  (A) Australian Passport or foreign passport
  plus another form of government issued photographic identity Document
  plus change of name or marriage certificate if necessary
  (B) Australian Passport or foreign passport
  plus full birth certificate
  plus another form of government issued identity Document
  plus change of name or marriage certificate if necessary
• Category 5
  Choose one of Option A or B
  (A) Identifier Declaration*
  plus another form of government issued photographic identity Document
  plus change of name or marriage certificate if necessary
  (B) Identifier Declaration*
  plus full birth certificate
  plus another form of government issued identity Document
  plus change of name or marriage certificate if necessary
• **See Clause 4 of Schedule 8 of the ARNECC Model Participation Rules – Version 6
  https://www.arnecc.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/model-participation-rules-
  version-6-clean.pdf
• B. Non – Australian Citizens or Residents
  Category 6
  Choose one of Option A or B.
  (A) Foreign passport
  plus another form of government issued photographic identity Document
  plus change of name or marriage certificate if necessary
  (B) Foreign passport
  plus full birth certificate
  plus another form of government issued identity Document
  plus change of name or marriage certificate if necessary