{"id":"BILL-WA-6BFE92104F1E890248258DB7000D41B9","name":"Electronic Conveyancing National Law Application Bill 2026","slug":"electronic-conveyancing-national-law-application-bill-2026","collection":"bill","jurisdiction":"wa","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":"2026-03-11","administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":446172,"registerId":"BILL-WA-6BFE92104F1E890248258DB7000D41B9:current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-03-11","status":"in_force","reasons":null,"registeredAt":"2026-05-08T16:47:44.100Z"},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"retrieval-0001","sectionType":"document_chunk","heading":"Document excerpt 1","content":"# Electronic Conveyancing National Law Application Bill 2026\n\n63—1 page i\nWestern Australia\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law\nApplication Bill 2026\nContents\nPart 1 — Preliminary\n1. Short title 2\n2. Commencement 2\n3. Terms used 2\n4. Act binds Crown 3\nPart 2 — Electronic Conveyancing\nNational Law\nDivision 1 — Application of Electronic\nConveyancing National Law\n5. Application of National Law as law of State 4\n6. Commencement of National Law as law of State 4\n7. Tabling amending Acts 4\n8. Disallowance of amending Acts 5\n9. Commencement of provisions of amending Acts 6\n10. Amending Acts enacted after 11 March 2026 but\nbefore commencement day 6\n11. Tabling of amending Act taken to be publication\nfor Standing Orders 6\nDivision 2 — Matters specified for Electronic\nConveyancing National Law (WA)\n12. Meaning of generic terms in Electronic\nConveyancing National Law (WA) for purposes of\nthis jurisdiction 7\nDivision 3 — Relationship with other laws\n13. Interaction between Electronic Conveyancing\nNational Law (WA) and this Act 9\n\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law Application Bill 2026\nContents\npage ii\n14. Exclusion of Interpretation Act 1984 9\nPart 3 — Modification of National\nLaw\n15. Modification of National Law 10\n16. Section 3 modified 10\n17. Section 5 modified 10\n18. Section 8 modified 10\n19. Section 12 modified 11\n20. Section 14 modified 11\n21. Section 15 modified 11\n22. Section 16 modified 11\n23. Section 18A modified 12\n24. Section 19 modified 12\n25. Section 20 modified 12\n26. Section 21 modified 12\n27. Section 22 modified 13\n28. Section 25 modified 13\n29. Section 26 modified 13\n30. Section 27 modified 14\n31. Section 28 modified 14\n32. Section 29 modified 15\n33. Section 30 modified 15\n34. Section 33 modified 16\n35. Section 34 modified 16\n36. Section 37 modified 17\n37. Part 4 Division 2 heading modified 17\n38. Section 38 modified 17\n39. Section 40 modified 17\n40. Section 43 modified 18\nPart 4 — Other matters\n41. Responsible tribunal to consider Government\npolicy relating to ELNOs 19\n42. Notification, tabling and disallowance of operating\nrequirements and participation rules 19\n43. Proof of operating requirements and participation\nrules 20\n44. Giving false or misleading information, answer or\ndocument an offence 21\n\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law Application Bill 2026\nContents\npage iii\n45. Local regulations 22\nPart 5 — Repeal and transitional\nprovisions\nDivision 1 — Repeal\n46. Written law repealed 23\nDivision 2 — Transitional provisions\n47. Terms used 23\n48. Application of Interpretation Act 1984 23\n49. References to new Law and this Act 24\n50. Existing right of appeal 24\n51. Undecided appeal 25\n52. Transitional regulations 25\nPart 6 — Consequential amendments\nDivision 1 — Duties Act 2008 amended\n53. Act amended 27\n54. Section 3 amended 27\n55. Section 22A deleted 27\n56. Section 107 amended 27\n57. Section 273A amended 28\nDivision 2 — Settlement Agents Act 1981\namended\n58. Act amended 28\n59. Section 46 amended 28\n60. Schedule 2 amended 29\nDivision 3 — Taxation Administration Act 2003\namended\n61. Act amended 30\n62. Section 114 amended 30\nDivision 4 — Transfer of Land Act 1893\namended\n63. Act amended 30\n64. Section 3 amended 30\n65. Section 4 amended 31\n66. Section 52 amended 31\n67. Section 105 amended 31\n68. Section 105AA amended 31\n\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law Application Bill 2026\nContents\npage iv\n69. Section 127A amended 32\n70. Section 181 amended 32\n71. Section 182A amended 32\n72. Section 192A amended 33\n73. Section 192B amended 33\n74. Section 192C amended 33\n75. Section 192D amended 34\n76. Section 193 amended 34\n77. Section 198 amended 34\n78. Section 238A amended 34\n79. Section 238B amended 34\n80. Section 239 amended 35\n81. Part XV deleted 35\nDefined terms\n\npage 1\nWestern Australia\nLEGISLATIVE COUNCIL\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law\nApplication Bill 2026\nA Bill for\nAn Act —\n• to apply the Electronic Conveyancing National Law (with\nmodifications) as a law of the State; and\n• to repeal the Electronic Conveyancing Act 2014; and\n• to make savings and transitional arrangements; and\n• to make consequential amendments to other Acts; and\n• for related purposes.\nThe Parliament of Western Australia enacts as follows:\n\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law Application Bill 2026\nPart 1 Preliminary\ns. 1\npage 2\nPart 1 — Preliminary1\n1. Short title2\nThis is the Electronic Conveyancing National Law Application3\nAct 2026.4\n2. Commencement5\nThis Act comes into operation as follows —6\n(a) Part 1 (but only sections 1 and 2) — on the day on7\nwhich this Act receives the Royal Assent;8\n(b) the rest of the Act — on a day fixed by proclamation,9\nand different days may be fixed for different provisions.10\n3. Terms used11\n(1) In this Act —12\namending Act means a New South Wales Act that receives the13\nRoyal Assent after 11 March 2026 and amends the National14\nLaw;15\nAuthority means the Western Australian Land Information16\nAuthority established by the Land Information Authority17\nAct 2006 section 5(1);18\ncommencement day means the day on which section 5 comes19\ninto operation;20\nCommissioner means the person designated to be the21\nCommissioner of Titles under the Transfer of Land Act 189322\nsection 5(1);23\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law (WA) means the24\nprovisions applying in this State because of section 5;25\nlocal regulations means regulations made under section 45;26\nNational Law means the Electronic Conveyancing National27\nLaw set out in the Appendix to the Electronic Conveyancing28\n(Adoption of National Law) Act 2012 (NSW).29\n\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law Application Bill 2026\nPreliminary Part 1\ns. 4\npage 3\n(2) If a term used in this Act is given a meaning in the Electronic1\nConveyancing National Law (WA), it has the same meaning in2\nthis Act.3\n4. Act binds Crown4\nThis Act binds the Crown in right of Western Australia and, so5\nfar as the legislative power of the Parliament permits, the Crown6\nin all its other capacities.7\n\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law Application Bill 2026\nPart 2 Electronic Conveyancing National Law\nDivision 1 Application of Electronic Conveyancing National Law\ns. 5\npage 4\nPart 2 — Electronic Conveyancing National Law1\nDivision 1 — Application of Electronic Conveyancing National2\nLaw3\n5. Application of National Law as law of State4\n(1) In this section —5\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law means the National6\nLaw as in force on 11 March 2026 —7\n(a) as amended by each provision that —8\n(i) is in an amending Act that has effect for the9\npurposes of this Part under section 8(2); and10\n(ii) has come into operation for the purposes of this11\nPart under section 9;12\nand13\n(b) as modified by Part 3.14\n(2) The Electronic Conveyancing National Law —15\n(a) applies as a law of the State; and16\n(b) as so applying, may be referred to as the Electronic17\nConveyancing National Law (WA); and18\n(c) so applies as if it were an Act.19\n6. Commencement of National Law as law of State20\nFor the purposes of the Electronic Conveyancing National21\nLaw (WA) section 2, the Law, as it applies in the State because22\nof section 5, comes into operation on commencement day.23\n7. Tabling amending Acts24\nAn amending Act must be laid before each House of Parliament25\nwithin 18 sitting days of the House after the day on which the26\nAct receives the Royal Assent.27\n\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law Application Bill 2026\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law Part 2\nApplication of Electronic Conveyancing National Law Division 1\ns. 8\npage 5\n8. Disallowance of amending Acts1\n(1) In this section —2\ndisallowance period, in relation to a disallowance resolution of3\nwhich notice is given in a House of Parliament, means the4\nperiod of 30 sitting days of the House after the day on which the5\nnotice is given;6\ndisallowance resolution means a resolution that an amending7\nAct be disallowed;8\nnotice period, in relation to an amending Act laid before a9\nHouse of Parliament under section 7, means the period of10\n14 sitting days of the House after the day on which the11\namending Act is laid before it.12\n(2) An amending Act has effect for the purposes of this Part if the13\namending Act is laid before each House of Parliament under14\nsection 7 and either —15\n(a) no notice of a disallowance resolution is given in either16\nHouse within the notice period; or17\n(b) at least 1 notice of a disallowance resolution is given in18\na House within the notice period and, for each such19\nnotice, 1 of the following applies —20\n(i) the notice is withdrawn or discharged within the21\ndisallowance period;22\n(ii) the disallowance resolution is lost in the House23\nor not agreed to within the disallowance period.24\n(3) For the purposes of this section and section 7 —25\n(a) the period specified in section 7, a notice period or a26\ndisallowance period continues to run even though a27\nHouse of Parliament is prorogued or dissolved or28\nexpires; and29\n\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law Application Bill 2026\nPart 2 Electronic Conveyancing National Law\nDivision 1 Application of Electronic Conveyancing National Law\ns. 9\npage 6\n(b) notice of a disallowance resolution given in a House of1\nParliament, or a motion that an amending Act be2\ndisallowed in the House, does not lapse even though the3\nHouse is prorogued or dissolved or expires.4\n9. Commencement of provisions of amending Acts5\n(1) If an amending Act has effect for the purposes of this Part under6\nsection 8(2), the Governor must declare that fact by7\nproclamation as soon as practicable.8\n(2) If a provision of the amending Act has come into operation in9\nNew South Wales before the proclamation is published —10\n(a) the proclamation must fix a day on which the provision11\ncomes into operation for the purposes of this Part, which12\nmust be after the day on which the proclamation is13\npublished; and14\n(b) the provision comes into operation for the purposes of15\nthis Part on that day.16\n(3) If a provision of the amending Act has not come into operation17\nin New South Wales before the proclamation is published, the18\nprovision comes into operation for the purposes of this Part19\nwhen the provision comes into operation in New South Wales.20\n10. Amending Acts enacted after 11 March 2026 but before21\ncommencement day22\nIf an amending Act receives the Royal Assent after23\n11 March 2026, but before commencement day, sections 7 to 924\napply to that Act as if it received the Royal Assent on25\ncommencement day.26\n11. Tabling of amending Act taken to be publication for27\nStanding Orders28\n(1) In this section —29\nparliamentary committee means a committee established by30\neither or both of the Houses of Parliament.31\n\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law Application Bill 2026\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law Part 2\nMatters specified for Electronic Conveyancing National Law\n(WA)\nDivision 2\ns. 12\npage 7\n(2) If a Standing Order of a House of Parliament provides that on1\nthe publication of an instrument under a written law the2\ninstrument is referred to a parliamentary committee for3\nconsideration, the laying of an amending Act before the House4\nunder section 7 is taken to be publication of that Act for the5\npurposes of the Standing Order.6\n(3) This section does not apply if the Standing Orders of the House7\nprovide specifically for an amending Act to be considered by a8\nparliamentary committee.9\nDivision 2 — Matters specified for Electronic Conveyancing10\nNational Law (WA)11\n12. Meaning of generic terms in Electronic Conveyancing12\nNational Law (WA) for purposes of this jurisdiction13\nIn the Electronic Conveyancing National Law (WA) —14\nland titles legislation —15\n(a) means the following Acts —16\n(i) the Community Titles Act 2018;17\n(ii) the Licensed Surveyors Act 1909;18\n(iii) the Strata Titles Act 1985;19\n(iv) the Transfer of Land Act 1893;20\nand21\n(b) includes any subsidiary legislation made under any of22\nthose Acts; and23\n(c) also includes any other written law that authorises,24\npermits or requires something —25\n(i) to be lodged for registration, noting or recording26\nin the titles register; or27\n(ii) to be registered, noted or recorded in the titles28\nregister;29\nand30\n\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law Application Bill 2026\nPart 2 Electronic Conveyancing National Law\nDivision 2 Matters specified for Electronic Conveyancing National Law\n(WA)\ns. 12\npage 8\n(d) also includes any Commonwealth Act that authorises,1\npermits or requires something —2\n(i) to be lodged for registration, noting or recording3\nin the titles register; or4\n(ii) to be registered, noted or recorded in the titles5\nregister;6\nand7\n(e) also includes any legislative instrument (within the8\nmeaning of the Legislation Act 2003 (Cth)) made under9\nany Commonwealth Act to which paragraph (d) applies;10\nRegistrar means the person designated as the Registrar of Titles11\nunder the Transfer of Land Act 1893 section 7(1);12\nregistry instrument means —13\n(a) any document that may be lodged under the land titles14\nlegislation for the purpose of —15\n(i) creating, transferring, disposing of, mortgaging,16\ncharging, leasing or dealing with in any other17\nway an estate or interest in land; or18\n(ii) getting something registered, noted or recorded19\nin the titles register; or20\n(iii) getting the registration, note or record of21\nsomething in the titles register changed,22\nwithdrawn or removed;23\nor24\n(b) a document that belongs to a class of document that —25\n(i) may be lodged under the land titles legislation;26\nand27\n(ii) is prescribed by local regulations for the28\npurposes of this definition;29\nresponsible tribunal means the State Administrative Tribunal30\nestablished by the State Administrative Tribunal Act 200431\nsection 7;32\n\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law Application Bill 2026\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law Part 2\nRelationship with other laws Division 3\ns. 13\npage 9\ntitles register means —1\n(a) the Register referred to in the Transfer of Land Act 18932\nsection 48; or3\n(b) any register, database or system that —4\n(i) under another Act is a titles register for the5\npurposes of this definition; or6\n(ii) is prescribed by local regulations, or regulations7\nmade under another Act, for the purposes of this8\ndefinition.9\nDivision 3 — Relationship with other laws10\n13. Interaction between Electronic Conveyancing National11\nLaw (WA) and this Act12\nA provision of this Act prevails over a provision of the13\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law (WA) to the extent of14\nany inconsistency.15\n14. Exclusion of Interpretation Act 198416\nThe Interpretation Act 1984 does not apply to the Electronic17\nConveyancing National Law (WA) or to any instrument made18\nunder that Law (except as provided by section 42(6) of this19\nAct).20\nNote for this section:21\nSee the Electronic Conveyancing National Law (WA) section 4.22\n\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law Application Bill 2026\nPart 3 Modification of National Law\ns. 15\npage 10\nPart 3 — Modification of National Law1\n15. Modification of National Law2\nFor the purposes of the definition of Electronic Conveyancing3\nNational Law in section 5(1), the National Law applies as if4\namended as set out in this Part.5\n16. Section 3 modified6\nIn section 3(1) in the definition of participation agreement7\nparagraph (b) delete “Registrar” (each occurrence) and insert:8\n9\nAuthority10\n11\n17. Section 5 modified12\nIn section 5(2) delete “Registrar in each participating13\njurisdiction” and insert:14\n15\nAuthority16\n17\n18. Section 8 modified18\nIn section 8(1) delete “Registrar” and insert:19\n20\nAuthority, the Commissioner or the Registrar, as the case21\nrequires,22\n23\nNote: The heading to modified section 8 is to read:24\nAuthority, Commissioner or Registrar to process documents25\nlodged electronically26\n\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law Application Bill 2026\nModification of National Law Part 3\ns. 19\npage 11\n19. Section 12 modified1\nIn section 12(1)(c)(iv) before “the Registrar,” insert:2\n3\nthe Authority, the Commissioner and4\n5\n20. Section 14 modified6\nIn section 14 delete “Registrar” and insert:7\n8\nAuthority9\n10\nNote: The heading to modified section 14 is to read:11\nAuthority may provide and operate ELN12\n21. Section 15 modified13\nIn section 15(1), (2) and (4) delete “Registrar” and insert:14\n15\nAuthority16\n17\nNote: The heading to modified section 15 is to read:18\nAuthority may approve ELNO to provide and operate ELN19\n22. Section 16 modified20\nIn section 16(1) and (2) delete “Registrar” and insert:21\n22\nAuthority23\n24\n\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law Application Bill 2026\nPart 3 Modification of National Law\ns. 23\npage 12\n23. Section 18A modified1\nIn section 18A(2):2\n(a) before “Registrar” (1st occurrence) insert:3\n4\nAuthority or the5\n6\n(b) delete “the Registrar is”.7\n24. Section 19 modified8\nIn section 19(1) and (3) delete “Registrar” (each occurrence)9\nand insert:10\n11\nAuthority12\n13\n25. Section 20 modified14\nIn section 20 delete “Registrar” and insert:15\n16\nAuthority17\n18\n26. Section 21 modified19\nIn section 21(1) delete “Registrar may” and insert:20\n21\nAuthority, the Commissioner and the Registrar may, but are22\nnot obliged to,23\n24\n\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law Application Bill 2026\nModification of National Law Part 3\ns. 27\npage 13\n27. Section 22 modified1\nIn section 22(2):2\n(a) in paragraph (e) delete “Registrar” and insert:3\n4\nAuthority5\n6\n(b) in paragraph (f) before “the Registrar,” insert:7\n8\nthe Authority or9\n10\n28. Section 25 modified11\nIn section 25(4) before “Registrar” insert:12\n13\nAuthority, the Commissioner or the14\n15\n29. Section 26 modified16\n(1) In section 26(2):17\n(a) delete “rules, the Registrar may —” and insert:18\n19\nrules —20\n21\n(b) in paragraph (a) delete “Registrar operates the ELN,”22\nand insert:23\n24\nAuthority operates the ELN, the Authority may25\n26","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"retrieval-0002","sectionType":"document_chunk","heading":"Document excerpt 2","content":"Electronic Conveyancing National Law Application Bill 2026\nPart 3 Modification of National Law\ns. 30\npage 14\n(c) in paragraph (b) before “direct” insert:1\n2\nthe Authority or the Registrar may3\n4\n(2) In section 26(3) before “the Registrar” insert:5\n6\nthe Authority,7\n8\n30. Section 27 modified9\n(1) In section 27(1) delete “operating requirements or”.10\n(2) After section 27(1) insert:11\n12\n(1A) The Authority or the Registrar may waive compliance13\nwith all or any provisions of the operating requirements14\nif satisfied that granting the waiver is reasonable in all15\nthe circumstances.16\n17\n31. Section 28 modified18\n(1) In section 28(1):19\n(a) delete “Registrar” (1st occurrence) and insert:20\n21\nperson who made the decision22\n23\n(b) in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) delete “Registrar”24\nand insert:25\n26\nAuthority27\n28\n\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law Application Bill 2026\nModification of National Law Part 3\ns. 32\npage 15\n(c) in paragraph (f) delete “Registrar” (1st occurrence) and1\ninsert:2\n3\nAuthority4\n5\n(d) in paragraph (f) delete “Registrar,” and insert:6\n7\nAuthority,8\n9\n(e) in paragraph (g) before “Registrar” insert:10\n11\nAuthority or the12\n13\n(2) In section 28(2) delete “from the Registrar under subsection (1)14\nor otherwise”.15\nNote: The heading to modified section 28 is to read:16\nAppeal against decisions17\n32. Section 29 modified18\nIn section 29(2) delete “Registrar” and insert:19\n20\nperson who made the appellable decision21\n22\n33. Section 30 modified23\nDelete section 30.24\n\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law Application Bill 2026\nPart 3 Modification of National Law\ns. 34\npage 16\n34. Section 33 modified1\n(1) In section 33 delete “The Registrar” and insert:2\n3\n(1) The Registrar4\n5\n(2) At the end of section 33 insert:6\n7\n(2) The Registrar must conduct a compliance examination8\nif requested to do so by the Authority or the9\nCommissioner.10\n11\n35. Section 34 modified12\nIn section 34(3):13\n(a) delete “Registrar may” and insert:14\n15\nAuthority and the Registrar may each16\n17\n(b) delete “the Registrar is” and insert:18\n19\nthey are20\n21\n(c) delete “the Registrar considers” and insert:22\n23\nthey consider24\n25\n\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law Application Bill 2026\nModification of National Law Part 3\ns. 36\npage 17\n36. Section 37 modified1\n(1) After section 37(1) insert:2\n3\n(1A) The Authority and the Commissioner may delegate the4\npower conferred by section 21 to monitor activities in5\nan ELN to any other person.6\n7\n(2) Delete section 37(2) and insert:8\n9\n(2) The Authority, the Commissioner and the Registrar10\nmay each, in an instrument of delegation, authorise any11\nperson to whom they have delegated a power or12\nfunction to subdelegate the power or function.13\n14\nNote: The heading to modified section 37 is to read:15\nDelegation16\n37. Part 4 Division 2 heading modified17\nIn the heading to Part 4 Division 2 delete “of Registrar”.18\n38. Section 38 modified19\nDelete section 38.20\n39. Section 40 modified21\nIn section 40(1) and (2) before “Registrar” insert:22\n23\nAuthority or the24\n25\nNote: The heading to modified section 40 is to read:26\nAuthority and Registrar not responsible for additional services27\nprovided by ELNO or associated financial transactions28\n\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law Application Bill 2026\nPart 3 Modification of National Law\ns. 40\npage 18\n40. Section 43 modified1\n(1) In section 43(1):2\n(a) before “Registrar” insert:3\n4\nAuthority, the Commissioner and the5\n6\n(b) in paragraph (d) delete “the Registrar’s” and insert:7\n8\ntheir9\n10\n(2) In section 43(2) before “Registrar” insert:11\n12\nAuthority, the Commissioner and the13\n14\n(3) In section 43(3) before “Registrar” insert:15\n16\nAuthority, the Commissioner or the17\n18\nNote: The heading to modified section 43 is to read:19\nAuthority, Commissioner and Registrar authorised to disclose20\ncertain information21\n\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law Application Bill 2026\nOther matters Part 4\ns. 41\npage 19\nPart 4 — Other matters1\n41. Responsible tribunal to consider Government policy relating2\nto ELNOs3\n(1) This section applies to an appeal to the responsible tribunal4\nagainst a decision referred to in the Electronic Conveyancing5\nNational Law (WA) section 28(1)(b).6\n(2) The State Administrative Tribunal Act 2004 section 28 (the7\nrelevant provision) applies to, and in relation to, an appeal to8\nwhich this section applies as if a direction given to the Authority9\nunder the Land Information Authority Act 2006 section 65 were10\na statement of policy of the kind referred to in the relevant11\nprovision.12\n(3) Subsection (2) does not apply unless, at the time of the decision13\nto which the appeal relates, the direction had been —14\n(a) either —15\n(i) laid before each House of Parliament in16\naccordance with the Land Information Authority17\nAct 2006 section 65(2); or18\n(ii) dealt with under section 91 of that Act;19\nand20\n(b) published in the Gazette.21\n42. Notification, tabling and disallowance of operating22\nrequirements and participation rules23\n(1) In this section —24\nbusiness day means a day that is not —25\n(a) a Saturday or Sunday; or26\n(b) a public holiday in the metropolitan region (as defined27\nin the Planning and Development Act 200528\nsection 4(1)).29\n\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law Application Bill 2026\nPart 4 Other matters\ns. 43\npage 20\n(2) This section applies to the following documents —1\n(a) operating requirements;2\n(b) participation rules;3\n(c) changes to operating requirements or participation rules.4\n(3) If a document to which this section applies is made publicly5\navailable in accordance with the Electronic Conveyancing6\nNational Law (WA) section 25, the Registrar must, within7\n10 business days after the day on which the document is first8\nmade publicly available, cause to be published in the Gazette9\nnotice of —10\n(a) the making of the document; and11\n(b) where the document is publicly available.12\n(4) If notification of the making of a document to which this section13\napplies is not published in the Gazette in accordance with14\nsubsection (3), the document ceases to have effect on the expiry15\nof the 10th business day after the day on which the document16\nwas first made publicly available, but without affecting the17\nvalidity or curing the invalidity of anything done or of the18\nomission of anything in the meantime.19\n(5) A copy of a document to which this section applies must be laid20\nbefore each House of Parliament within 6 sitting days after21\nnotification of the making of the document in the Gazette in22\naccordance with subsection (3).23\n(6) If notification of the making of a document to which this section24\napplies is published in the Gazette, the Interpretation Act 198425\nsection 42 applies as if the document were a regulation26\npublished in the Gazette.27\n43. Proof of operating requirements and participation rules28\n(1) In any proceedings in any court or before any person acting29\njudicially, a copy of all or part of any operating requirements or30\nparticipation rules certified by the Registrar as a true copy of the31\nrequirements or rules as at any date or during any period is32\n\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law Application Bill 2026\nOther matters Part 4\ns. 44\npage 21\nsufficient evidence of the requirements or rules as at that date or1\nduring that period in the absence of proof to the contrary.2\n(2) The Registrar must make certified copies of the operating3\nrequirements and participation rules available on request and on4\npayment of the prescribed fee (if any).5\n44. Giving false or misleading information, answer or document6\nan offence7\n(1) In this section —8\nauthorised person means —9\n(a) the Authority; or10\n(b) the Registrar; or11\n(c) the Commissioner; or12\n(d) any person to whom a function of the Authority, the13\nRegistrar or the Commissioner is delegated under the14\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law (WA).15\n(2) A person must not, under the Electronic Conveyancing National16\nLaw (WA) or an instrument made under that Law —17\n(a) give information or an answer to an authorised person18\nthat the person knows is false or misleading in a material19\nparticular; or20\n(b) produce a document to an authorised person that the21\nperson knows is false or misleading in a material22\nparticular.23\n(3) A person who contravenes subsection (2) is guilty of a crime.24\nPenalty for this subsection: imprisonment for 10 years and a25\nfine of $100 000.26\nSummary conviction penalty for this subsection: imprisonment27\nfor 3 years and a fine of $40 000.28\n\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law Application Bill 2026\nPart 4 Other matters\ns. 45\npage 22\n(4) It is a defence to a charge of an offence under subsection (2)(b)1\nif the accused proves that, when producing the document to an2\nauthorised person, the accused either —3\n(a) indicated the way in which the document was false or4\nmisleading and, where practicable, provided correct5\ninformation; or6\n(b) accompanied the document with a written certificate —7\n(i) stating that the document was, to the accused’s8\nknowledge, false or misleading in a material9\nparticular; and10\n(ii) setting out, or referring to, the material particular11\nin which the document was, to the accused’s12\nknowledge, false or misleading.13\n45. Local regulations14\n(1) The Governor may make regulations prescribing all matters —15\n(a) required or permitted by this Act to be prescribed; or16\n(b) necessary or convenient to be prescribed for giving17\neffect to this Act.18\n(2) Without limiting subsection (1), the regulations may, for the19\npurposes of the definition of Electronic Conveyancing National20\nLaw in section 5(1), amend Part 3 to modify the application of21\nthe National Law in relation to the conferral of a function of the22\nRegistrar under the National Law on 1 or more of the23\nfollowing —24\n(a) the Authority;25\n(b) the Commissioner;26\n(c) the Registrar.27\n(3) If a regulation made under this section is inconsistent with any28\nsubsidiary legislation made under the land titles legislation, the29\nregulation made under this section prevails to the extent of the30\ninconsistency.31\n\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law Application Bill 2026\nRepeal and transitional provisions Part 5\nRepeal Division 1\ns. 46\npage 23\nPart 5 — Repeal and transitional provisions1\nDivision 1 — Repeal2\n46. Written law repealed3\nThe Electronic Conveyancing Act 2014 is repealed.4\nDivision 2 — Transitional provisions5\n47. Terms used6\n(1) In this Division —7\nnew Law means the Electronic Conveyancing National8\nLaw (WA);9\nrepealed Act means the Electronic Conveyancing Act 2014.10\n(2) In this Division, a provision of the new Law corresponds to a11\nprovision of the repealed Act, and vice versa, if the 2 provisions12\nare substantially the same.13\n48. Application of Interpretation Act 198414\n(1) The provisions of the Interpretation Act 1984 about the repeal15\nof enactments and the substitution of other enactments applies16\nas if the provisions of the repealed Act were repealed and17\nre-enacted by this Act.18\n(2) Despite subsection (1), the Interpretation Act 198419\nsections 36(d) (to the extent to which it applies to subsidiary20\nlegislation) and 38 do not apply in relation to the repealed Act.21\n(3) The Interpretation Act 1984 applies to and in relation to the22\nrepeal of the repealed Act, unless otherwise provided by this23\nDivision or by regulations made for the purposes of section 52.24\n\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law Application Bill 2026\nPart 5 Repeal and transitional provisions\nDivision 2 Transitional provisions\ns. 49\npage 24\n49. References to new Law and this Act1\n(1) In the new Law —2\n(a) a reference to the Law or this Law includes a reference3\nto the repealed Act; and4\n(b) a reference to something done under the Law includes a5\nreference to the thing being done under the6\ncorresponding provision of the repealed Act.7\n(2) In this Act —8\n(a) a reference to this Act includes a reference to the9\nrepealed Act; and10\n(b) a reference to something done under this Act includes a11\nreference to the thing being done under the12\ncorresponding provision of the repealed Act.13\n(3) This section does not limit, and is not limited by, another14\nprovision of this Division.15\n50. Existing right of appeal16\n(1) This section applies if —17\n(a) a person had a right under the repealed Act section 28 to18\nappeal to the responsible tribunal against a decision of19\nthe Authority or the Registrar; and20\n(b) before commencement day, the person had not appealed21\nto the responsible tribunal against the decision.22\n(2) The person may start an appeal against the decision and the23\nresponsible tribunal must hear and decide the appeal under the24\nnew Law section 28 as if the decision had been made under the25\ncorresponding provision of the new Law.26\n\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law Application Bill 2026\nRepeal and transitional provisions Part 5\nTransitional provisions Division 2\ns. 51\npage 25\n51. Undecided appeal1\n(1) This section applies if —2\n(a) before commencement day, a person appealed to the3\nresponsible tribunal, under the repealed Act section 28,4\nagainst a decision of the Authority or the Registrar; and5\n(b) before commencement day, the appeal has not been6\ndecided or withdrawn.7\n(2) The responsible tribunal hearing the appeal, or any proceeding8\nrelating to the appeal, must continue to hear, and decide, the9\nappeal under the new Law section 28 as if the decision appealed10\nagainst had been made under the corresponding provision of the11\nnew Law.12\n52. Transitional regulations13\n(1) In this section —14\npublication day, in relation to transitional regulations, means15\nthe day on which the transitional regulations are published in16\naccordance with the Interpretation Act 1984 section 41(1)(a);17\ntransitional matter —18\n(a) means a matter or issue of a transitional nature that19\narises as a result of any of the following —20\n(i) the repeal of the repealed Act;21\n(ii) the enactment of this Act or an amending Act;22\n(iii) the coming into operation of the new Law;23\n(iv) the coming into operation of an amending Act24\nfor the purposes of Part 2;25\nand26\n(b) includes a matter or issue of a savings or application27\nnature;28\ntransitional regulations means local regulations made for the29\npurposes of subsection (2).30\n\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law Application Bill 2026\nPart 5 Repeal and transitional provisions\nDivision 2 Transitional provisions\ns. 52\npage 26\n(2) If there is no sufficient provision in this Division for dealing1\nwith a transitional matter, local regulations may prescribe2\nanything required, necessary or convenient to be prescribed in3\nrelation to that matter.4\n(3) Without limiting subsection (2), transitional regulations may —5\n(a) provide that a specified provision of this Act or the new6\nLaw does not apply, or applies with specified7\nmodifications, to or in relation to a transitional matter;8\nor9\n(b) otherwise facilitate the coming into operation of —10\n(i) the new Law; or11\n(ii) an amending Act for the purposes of Part 2.12\n(4) If transitional regulations provide that a state of affairs is taken13\nto have existed, or not to have existed, on and from a day that is14\nearlier than publication day, but not earlier than commencement15\nday, the regulations have effect according to their terms.16\n(5) If transitional regulations contain a provision referred to in17\nsubsection (4), the provision does not operate to —18\n(a) affect, in a manner prejudicial to any person (other than19\nthe State or an authority of the State), the rights of that20\nperson existing before publication day; or21\n(b) impose liabilities on any person (other than the State or22\nan authority of the State) in respect of anything done or23\nomitted to be done before publication day.24\n\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law Application Bill 2026\nConsequential amendments Part 6\nDuties Act 2008 amended Division 1\ns. 53\npage 27\nPart 6 — Consequential amendments1\nDivision 1 — Duties Act 2008 amended2\n53. Act amended3\nThis Division amends the Duties Act 2008.4\n54. Section 3 amended5\nIn section 3 insert in alphabetical order:6\n7\ndigitally sign has the meaning given in the Electronic8\nConveyancing National Law (WA) section 3(1);9\nelectronic conveyancing instrument means an10\ninstrument in electronic form that, on being digitally11\nsigned, has, under the Electronic Conveyancing12\nNational Law (WA) section 9(2), the same effect as if a13\npaper document having the equivalent effect had been14\nexecuted as provided in section 9(2)(a) or (b) of that15\nLaw;16\n17\n55. Section 22A deleted18\nDelete section 22A.19\n56. Section 107 amended20\n(1) In section 107(1) insert in alphabetical order:21\n22\nparticipation rules has the meaning given in the23\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law (WA)24\nsection 3(1);25\n26\n\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law Application Bill 2026\nPart 6 Consequential amendments\nDivision 2 Settlement Agents Act 1981 amended\ns. 57\npage 28\n(2) In section 107(3A):1\n(a) in paragraph (b) delete “instrument (as defined in2\nsection 22A); and”; and insert:3\n4\ninstrument; and5\n6\n(b) in paragraph (d) delete “signed (as defined in the7\nElectronic Conveyancing Act 2014 section 3(1))” and8\ninsert:9\n10\nsigned,11\n12\n(c) in paragraph (d) delete “(as so defined)”.13\n57. Section 273A amended14\nDelete section 273A(1).15\nDivision 2 — Settlement Agents Act 1981 amended16\n58. Act amended17\nThis Division amends the Settlement Agents Act 1981.18\n59. Section 46 amended19\n(1) In section 46(8):20\n(a) delete “Act 2014 — ” and insert:21\n22\nNational Law (WA) —23\n24\n(b) in paragraph (a) delete “subscriber (as defined in25\nsection 3(1) of that Act),” and insert:26\n27\nsubscriber,28\n29","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"retrieval-0003","sectionType":"document_chunk","heading":"Document excerpt 3","content":"Electronic Conveyancing National Law Application Bill 2026\nConsequential amendments Part 6\nSettlement Agents Act 1981 amended Division 2\ns. 60\npage 29\n(c) in paragraph (b) and (c) delete “subscriber (as so1\ndefined),” and insert:2\n3\nsubscriber,4\n5\n(d) in paragraph (d) delete “any participation rules6\ndetermined under section 23 of that Act,” and insert:7\n8\nthe participation rules,9\n10\n(2) After section 46(8) insert:11\n12\n(8A) If a term used in subsection (8) is given a meaning in13\nthe Electronic Conveyancing National Law (WA), it14\nhas the same meaning in subsection (8).15\n16\nNote: The heading to amended section 46 is to read:17\nFunctions of real estate settlement agents18\n60. Schedule 2 amended19\n(1) Delete Schedule 2 clause 1(1A).20\n(2) After Schedule 2 clause 1(2A) insert:21\n22\n(2B) If a term used in subclause (2A) is given a meaning in the23\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law (WA), it has the24\nsame meaning in subclause (2A).25\n26\n\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law Application Bill 2026\nPart 6 Consequential amendments\nDivision 3 Taxation Administration Act 2003 amended\ns. 61\npage 30\nDivision 3 — Taxation Administration Act 2003 amended1\n61. Act amended2\nThis Division amends the Taxation Administration Act 2003.3\n62. Section 114 amended4\n(1) Delete section 114(4A) and insert:5\n6\n(4A) If a term used in subsection (4B) is given a meaning in7\nthe Electronic Conveyancing National Law (WA), it8\nhas the same meaning in subsection (4B).9\n10\n(2) In section 114(4B) delete “ELN provided and operated under11\nthe Electronic Conveyancing Act 2014.” and insert:12\n13\nELN.14\n15\nDivision 4 — Transfer of Land Act 1893 amended16\n63. Act amended17\nThis Division amends the Transfer of Land Act 1893.18\n64. Section 3 amended19\nDelete section 3(2A) and insert:20\n21\n(2A) Despite the Electronic Conveyancing National22\nLaw (WA) section 41, a provision of that Law prevails23\nover a provision of this Act to the extent of any24\ninconsistency.25\n26\nNote: The heading to amended section 3 is to read:27\nApplication of other laws28\n\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law Application Bill 2026\nConsequential amendments Part 6\nTransfer of Land Act 1893 amended Division 4\ns. 65\npage 31\n65. Section 4 amended1\nIn section 4(1) in the definitions of conveyancing transaction,2\ndigital signature, digitally sign, ELN, ELNO, participation3\nrules and subscriber delete “Act 2014” and insert:4\n5\nNational Law (WA)6\n7\n66. Section 52 amended8\nAfter section 52(2) insert:9\n10\n(2A) Subsection (2) extends to an instrument presented for11\nregistration, but not registered, before 3 June 2014.12\n13\n67. Section 105 amended14\nAfter section 105(3) insert:15\n16\n(3A) Despite subsection (3), subsection (4) does not apply17\nto, or in relation to, any instrument registered before18\n3 June 2014.19\n20\nNote: The heading to amended section 105 is to read:21\nCreating mortgages and charges for annuities22\n68. Section 105AA amended23\nIn section 105AA delete “Electronic Conveyancing Act 2014”24\nand insert:25\n26\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law (WA)27\n28\n\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law Application Bill 2026\nPart 6 Consequential amendments\nDivision 4 Transfer of Land Act 1893 amended\ns. 69\npage 32\n69. Section 127A amended1\nIn section 127A(5) delete “the Electronic Conveyancing2\nAct 2014 section 74 comes into operation.” and insert:3\n4\n3 June 2014.5\n6\n70. Section 181 amended7\nIn section 181(1) delete “Electronic Conveyancing Act 2014”8\n(each occurrence) and insert:9\n10\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law (WA)11\n12\n71. Section 182A amended13\n(1) In section 182A(1) delete “Electronic Conveyancing Act 2014”14\n(each occurrence) and insert:15\n16\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law (WA)17\n18\n(2) After section 182A(1) insert:19\n20\n(1A) A statement is taken to be a requirement determined21\nunder this section in the same terms as the original22\nstatement if the statement —23\n(a) was included in any practice manual, customer24\ninformation bulletin or other similar publication25\nissued by the Authority before 3 June 2014 (a26\nrelevant publication); and27\n(b) has not been superseded by any other28\nstatement included in a relevant publication;29\nand30\n\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law Application Bill 2026\nConsequential amendments Part 6\nTransfer of Land Act 1893 amended Division 4\ns. 72\npage 33\n(c) relates to any matter in relation to which a1\nrequirement may be determined under2\nsubsection (1); and3\n(d) specifies, or has the effect of specifying, a4\nrequirement in relation to one of those matters.5\n6\n(3) In section 182A(4) delete “Electronic Conveyancing Act 20147\nsection 46,” and insert:8\n9\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law Application Act 202610\nsection 45 or 52,11\n12\n72. Section 192A amended13\nIn section 192A(4) delete “the Electronic Conveyancing14\nAct 2014 section 82 comes into operation.” and insert:15\n16\n3 June 2014.17\n18\n73. Section 192B amended19\nIn section 192B(2)(a)(iii) delete “Act 2014 or any” and insert:20\n21\nNational Law (WA) or the22\n23\n74. Section 192C amended24\nIn section 192C(1)(a)(iii) delete “Act 2014 or any” and insert:25\n26\nNational Law (WA) or the27\n28\n\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law Application Bill 2026\nPart 6 Consequential amendments\nDivision 4 Transfer of Land Act 1893 amended\ns. 75\npage 34\n75. Section 192D amended1\nIn section 192D(3)(a)(iii) delete “Act 2014 or any” and insert:2\n3\nNational Law (WA) or the4\n5\n76. Section 193 amended6\nIn section 193 delete “Act 2014” and insert:7\n8\nNational Law (WA)9\n10\n77. Section 198 amended11\nIn section 198 delete “Act 2014.” and insert:12\n13\nNational Law (WA).14\n15\n78. Section 238A amended16\nIn section 238A(2) and (4)(a) delete “Act 2014” and insert:17\n18\nNational Law (WA)19\n20\n79. Section 238B amended21\nIn section 238B(1)(a) delete “Act 2014” and insert:22\n23\nNational Law (WA)24\n25\n\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law Application Bill 2026\nConsequential amendments Part 6\nTransfer of Land Act 1893 amended Division 4\ns. 80\npage 35\n80. Section 239 amended1\nIn section 239(4)(a) delete “Act 2014” and insert:2\n3\nNational Law (WA)4\n5\n81. Part XV deleted6\nDelete Part XV.7\n\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law Application Bill 2026\nDefined terms\npage 36\nDefined terms\n[This is a list of terms defined and the provisions where they are defined.\nThe list is not part of the law.]\nDefined term Provision(s)\namending Act ................................................................................................... 3(1)\nauthorised person ........................................................................................... 44(1)\nAuthority .......................................................................................................... 3(1)\nbusiness day ................................................................................................... 42(1)\ncommencement day ......................................................................................... 3(1)\nCommissioner .................................................................................................. 3(1)\ncorresponds .................................................................................................... 47(2)\ndisallowance period ......................................................................................... 8(1)\ndisallowance resolution .................................................................................... 8(1)\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law ......................................... 5(1), 15, 45(2)\nElectronic Conveyancing National Law (WA) ................................................ 3(1)\nland titles legislation ........................................................................................... 12\nlocal regulations ............................................................................................... 3(1)\nNational Law.................................................................................................... 3(1)\nnew Law......................................................................................................... 47(1)\nnotice period .................................................................................................... 8(1)\nparliamentary committee ............................................................................... 11(1)\npublication day ............................................................................................... 52(1)\nRegistrar .............................................................................................................. 12\nregistry instrument .............................................................................................. 12\nrelevant provision .......................................................................................... 41(2)\nrepealed Act ................................................................................................... 47(1)\nresponsible tribunal ............................................................................................. 12\ntitles register ........................................................................................................ 12\ntransitional matter .......................................................................................... 52(1)\ntransitional regulations ................................................................................... 52(1)","sortOrder":2}],"analysis":{"summary":{"status_summary":"The Bill is currently before a committee of the Western Australian Legislative Council.","complexity_score":7,"likely_questions":["When is the commencement day and how will it be proclaimed?","How does the disallowance process for New South Wales amending Acts work in practice?","What are the specific changes to the role of the Authority compared to the Registrar?","What documents count as 'registry instruments' under the new definitions?","How will existing electronic conveyancing subscriptions and participation agreements be transitioned?"],"complexity_factors":["Numerous modifications to the National Law across 25 sections requiring careful cross-referencing","Interaction between Western Australian and New South Wales legislative processes for future amendments","New criminal offence with multiple defences and dual penalty regimes","Transitional provisions that preserve rights and allow retrospective regulations","Consequential amendments to five separate Acts with detailed textual changes"],"plain_english_summary":"The Bill repeals WA’s Electronic Conveyancing Act 2014 and adopts the Electronic Conveyancing National Law (with WA-specific modifications), shifting many functions from the Registrar to the Western Australian Land Information Authority. It standardises electronic conveyancing across jurisdictions, creates a new serious offence for providing false information to authorised persons, and subjects future NSW amendments to a WA parliamentary disallowance process. Property lawyers, conveyancers, banks and anyone in land transactions must adapt to new operational rules, oversight and compliance costs."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Bill remains within the original and stated purpose of adopting the Electronic Conveyancing National Law as WA law and replacing the 2014 WA Act. Its principal changes are localisation (substituting WA bodies for the Registrar where appropriate), procedural arrangements for adopting later NSW amending Acts, transitional safeguards, and consequential amendments to align other WA statutes. While it increases enforcement exposure (notably the high criminal penalty in section 44) and grants the executive regulatory flexibility (local regulations in section 45), these are implementation and enforcement adjustments rather than a substantive expansion beyond the Bill’s core aim of applying the National Law in WA."},"complexity_factors":["Cross‑jurisdictional linkage: National Law fixed as at 11 March 2026 plus incorporation of later NSW amending Acts subject to WA tabling/disallowance (sections 5, 7–11).","Extensive list of state modifications: Part 3 modifies many named sections of the National Law (sections 16–40) — ~25 separate targeted amendments.","Multiple decision‑makers and role substitutions: repeated substitutions of \"Registrar\" with Authority, Commissioner or Registrar create overlapping responsibilities (Part 3, e.g. sections 16–29, 33–37).","High‑stakes criminal provision: new offence with up to 10 years imprisonment and large fines adds legal risk and enforcement complexity (section 44).","Numerous consequential amendments across other Acts: changes to Duties Act, Settlement Agents Act, Taxation Administration Act and many provisions of the Transfer of Land Act increase cross‑references (Part 6).","Transitional and savings complexity: transitional Division with provisions about corresponding provisions, undecided appeals and delegated regulations (Part 5, sections 47–52).","Local regulations power with conflict‑override: Governor can make regulations that prevail over subsidiary legislation (section 45(2)–(3)), adding a layer of executive discretion.","Procedural timing rules: short tabling and disallowance periods, notice/disallowance mechanics and proclamation timing impose precise procedural conditions (sections 7–11 and 8).","Delegation and subdelegation mechanics: multiple delegation routes between Authority, Commissioner, Registrar and other persons (section 37 modifications)."],"plain_english_summary":"**What this Bill does (mechanically)\n\n- Applies the national electronic conveyancing law that New South Wales developed (the Electronic Conveyancing National Law) to Western Australia, with a set of state-specific changes. (See sections 5–6 and Part 3.)\n\n- Repeals Western Australia’s previous Electronic Conveyancing Act 2014 and provides transitional rules so existing files, appeals and practice statements continue to work under the new law. (See section 46 and Division 2 of Part 5.)\n\n- Transfers many operational roles and powers that the national Law originally assigns to a \"Registrar\" so they can be exercised in WA by the Land Information Authority (the \"Authority\"), the Commissioner of Titles (the \"Commissioner\") or the Registrar as appropriate. The Bill makes those substitutions across many provisions of the National Law (Part 3, sections 16–40). \n\n- Sets a process for dealing with any NSW amending Acts that change the National Law after 11 March 2026: NSW amending Acts can be given effect in WA if they are tabled and not disallowed by WA Parliament, and their commencement for WA is governed by proclamation rules. (See sections 7–11.)\n\n- Requires publication and tabling of certain rule‑type documents used to run the electronic lodgement network (the \"operating requirements\" and \"participation rules\"), creates a short disallowance/window procedure, and makes certified copies admissible in evidence. (See sections 25, 42–43.)\n\n- Gives the Authority, Commissioner and Registrar powers to delegate and sub‑delegate functions, to waive compliance with operating requirements in suitable cases, and to disclose information in specified circumstances. (See sections 30–37 and 40–43 as modified.)\n\n- Creates a stringent criminal offence for knowingly giving false or misleading information, answers or documents to an authorised person under the National Law, carrying a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and a $100,000 fine. (See section 44.)\n\n- Allows the WA Governor to make \"local regulations\" to fill gaps, to adapt who exercises Registrar functions, and to resolve conflicts between those regulations and other subsidiary legislation. (See section 45.)\n\n- Makes consequential amendments to a range of WA Acts so those Acts refer to the National Law (WA) instead of the repealed WA Act. Affected statutes include the Duties Act 2008, Settlement Agents Act 1981, Taxation Administration Act 2003 and numerous provisions of the Transfer of Land Act 1893. (See Part 6.)\n\n\nWho this affects\n\n- Land title authorities and bureaucracy: the Land Information Authority (\"Authority\"), the Commissioner of Titles and the Registrar — who gain or formalise roles and powers under the National Law (see Part 3). \n\n- Electronic lodgement network operators (ELNOs) and subscribers (conveyancers, settlement agents, banks, mortgagees): operating rules, participation rules and approvals are brought under the National Law (see Division 2 of Part 2 and Part 4). \n\n- Property market participants: sellers, buyers, mortgagees, and their lawyers/agents who use electronic instruments and ELNs; the Bill changes how electronic instruments are treated and where liability, registration and waiver powers sit (see sections 5, 12, and many modifications in Part 3). \n\n- Real‑estate settlement agents and licensed surveyors: several provisions in other Acts are updated so their duties and permitted electronic actions align with the National Law (see Part 6). \n\n- Anyone who provides false or misleading material to an authorised person under the National Law will face criminal exposure (see section 44).\n\n\nWhy it matters (policy rationale and practical consequences)\n\n- Official rationale: the Bill implements a single, nationally framed electronic conveyancing regime in WA (making National Law apply here), removes the separate 2014 WA Act, and aligns state processes with the national approach. (See sections 5, 46 and Part 6.)\n\n- Practical effects and trade‑offs:\n  - Centralises and standardises electronic conveyancing rules across jurisdictions so electronic documents and digital signatures can be treated consistently (section 5 and Part 6 amendments). That reduces legal fragmentation but increases reliance on NSW law as the base text (see section 5(1)).\n  - Reassigns many operational functions from a locally named \"Registrar\" to the Authority or Commissioner (Part 3). That changes who makes decisions locally; it may concentrate decision‑making inside a state authority and creates multiple decision‑makers (Authority, Commissioner, Registrar) whose roles overlap in the modified clauses (see e.g. sections 18A, 21, 28). Decisions that affect ELNO approvals, operating requirements and participation rules therefore sit with state bodies rather than being exclusively Registrar-led.\n  - Introduces a very high criminal penalty for knowingly supplying false or misleading information (section 44). That raises compliance risk and may increase the need for internal controls by private participants (ELNOs, subscribers, banks, agents). It also increases enforcement discretion for authorised persons.\n  - Provides for rapid incorporation of later NSW amending Acts into WA law subject to tabling/disallowance (sections 7–11). This reduces the need for repeated standalone WA legislative amendments but ties WA’s substantive regime to the timing and content of NSW parliamentary action and to Parliament’s short disallowance windows.\n  - Permits the Governor to make \"local regulations\" that can modify who exercises Registrar functions in WA (section 45(2)). That is a flexible tool to resolve local arrangements but delegates substantial shaping power to the executive.\n\n\nWho pays, who decides, and what behaviour changes\n\n- Who pays: private users of the ELN (subscribers, ELNOs) will bear compliance costs — implementing digital signing, systems changes, fees for certified copies or registry services and possibly legal compliance costs in response to stricter offence provisions. State agencies (Authority, Registrar) will incur administrative costs to take on new or altered functions (see modifications in Part 3 and Parts 4–6). The Bill does not itself set ELNO fees but preserves operating rules and participation rules as the mechanism for ELNO interaction (see sections 25 and 42). \n\n- Who decides: the Authority, Commissioner and Registrar become the principal state decision‑makers for operating an ELN in WA (see Part 3). Parliament keeps an oversight role through tabling and potential disallowance of NSW amending Acts and of published operating documents (sections 7–11 and 42–43). The State Administrative Tribunal hears certain appeals and must consider published Authority policy directions in defined circumstances (section 41).\n\n- Behaviour changes: ELNOs and subscribers must meet participation rules and operating requirements to operate or access the ELN, and they must manage information accuracy tightly because of the new offence (section 44). The Authority can waive compliance in particular cases (section 30) and will enforce, monitor, disclose or delegate functions (sections 33–37, 40–43), so private operators should expect greater regulatory engagement and possible discretionary relief.\n\n\nImplementation risks, incentives and compliance burdens (brief assessment)\n\n- Cross‑jurisdiction dependence: WA’s regime will track the National Law as it stood on 11 March 2026 and as amended by later NSW Acts that are then adopted for WA subject to short tabling/disallowance windows (sections 5 and 8–11). That creates a dependency on NSW timing and a small parliamentary window to scrutinise changes locally. \n\n- Administrative discretion and delegation: multiple provisions give the Authority, Commissioner and Registrar discretion (waivers, delegations, monitoring) and the Governor powers to make local regulations altering who performs Registrar functions (sections 30, 37, 45). This increases implementation flexibility but also raises administrative discretion and the need for clear internal policy to ensure predictability.\n\n- Compliance burden for private parties: participation rules and operating requirements are required, must be published and are admissible as evidence (sections 25, 42–43). The high criminal penalty for false or misleading material (section 44) is likely to increase legal/compliance costs for ELNOs, subscribers and financial institutions.\n\n- Litigation and appeal pathway: appeals go to the State Administrative Tribunal under the National Law (WA) scheme; the Tribunal must take certain published Authority policies into account (section 41). That creates a defined, quasi‑judicial review path but ties procedural expectations to what the Authority has published and laid before Parliament.\n\n\nBottom line (concise): This Bill imports the national electronic conveyancing framework into WA, replaces the 2014 WA Act, reassigns many operational powers to the WA Land Information Authority and Commissioner, creates publication, tabling and disallowance processes for rule‑type instruments, introduces a strict offence for false or misleading dealings, and updates other WA laws to align with the national model. The practical consequences are standardisation and cross‑jurisdictional alignment, increased regulatory discretion at the Authority level, ongoing dependency on NSW amending Acts unless Parliament disallows them, and higher compliance risks for private participants (see sections 5, 30, 41, 42 and 44)."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/electronic-conveyancing-national-law-application-bill-2026","history":"/api/acts/electronic-conveyancing-national-law-application-bill-2026/history","analysis":"/api/acts/electronic-conveyancing-national-law-application-bill-2026/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/electronic-conveyancing-national-law-application-bill-2026/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/electronic-conveyancing-national-law-application-bill-2026/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/electronic-conveyancing-national-law-application-bill-2026/documents"}}