From 1 July 2011, the Private Agents Act 1966 (Vic) is repealed. The licensing of debt collectors in Victoria is removed, however certain classes of people will be prohibited from acting as debt collectors in Victoria.

The onus will be on debt recovery firms to ensure they are hiring people of appropriate character.

“These changes will have no impact on us, because we already do over and above what is required under Federal and State Laws,” says Recoveries Corp Director Leon Sholl.

“We have a very strong induction program and ongoing training, including training related to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and ASIC debt collection guidelines, the National Consumer Credit Protection Act and the Privacy Act, which go well beyond the industry norm.

“Our Tier One clients, including government departments and banks, would expect nothing less from us.”

Recoveries Corp will continue to conduct pre-engagement checks, including police checks, and requiring that prospective staff complete a pre-employment declaration.

Industry bodies have been lobbying governments for some time about harmonisation of licensing, as each state has had its own regime with differing licensing requirements.