PPSR Newsletter - April 2025

On Thursday 10 April, we hosted a PPSR Regulatory Roundtable with senior leaders from across the asset finance and credit ecosystem. This was a live example of collective stewardship and how we are all part of maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of the PPSR.

Together, we explored how to strengthen the Register’s impact and relevance in a changing environment.

A key theme was education, particularly the need to demystify complex PPSR terminology and reduce the risk of registration defects. Participants discussed the need to integrate information and the benefits of the protections offered by the PPSR for small business owners’ systems and trusted advisors networks. The importance of clearer messaging on where other forms of coverage come into play (such as insurance) for small business owners was also discussed.

We heard that branding and awareness matter more than ever. This is especially so when the name Personal Property Securities Register doesn’t immediately answer the question many users are asking: “What’s in it for me?”

These insights were both interesting and actionable. Many of the ideas shared are already feeding into our service design and business planning. Some will be explored in our upcoming work, and others are shaping as medium-term priorities. This includes our early planning for a first-stage uplift of the PPSR and the small business webpage.

We’re incredibly grateful to those who joined us. Your engagement and leadership strengthen the cross-industry collaboration that keeps the PPSR working for all Australians.

Damage from recent floods and winds throughout Australia mean a lot of vehicles will be classed as ‘repairable write-offs’ . Buying a car, truck, caravan, bus, trailer or motorcycle following extreme weather events means there’s a greater risk of buying a repairable write-off without realising it. That is why it is important, when considering purchasing a second-hand vehicle, to check it on the PPSR.

The PPSR draws third-party data from a database known as the National Exchange of Vehicle and Driver Information System (NEVDIS). NEVDIS provides information provided by state and territory road agencies on written off and stolen vehicles. NEVDIS data is not always available or up-to-date when you do a search of a motor vehicle on the PPSR. However, if it is available, it will be shown on the PPSR search certificate.

While someone selling a car should tell the buyer, the safest thing to do is a $2 search to check if the vehicle is a repairable write-off.

More about repairable write-offs:

• repairable write-offs are generally classed as a write-off because the repairs needed are likely to cost more than the market value of the car (such as hail damage).
• repairable write-offs can be repaired to a particular standard, assessed and re-registered so, they can be re-sold.

You should be made aware they are usually worth less and often cannot be insured, apart from the compulsory Third Party included in the vehicle’s registration.

BEWARE and do a PPSR search so you are sure you know what type of vehicle you are buying.

To understand more, here’s a case study: Yosef's repairable write-off.

If there is something registered on the PPSR but the security is no longer held over the property, there is a legal obligation to discharge this on the Register within five days.

So, if you or your clients have something registered, it is important to take it off the Register as soon as the security is no longer applicable.

This ensures the PPSR remains up-to-date and supports the free flow of credit.

The latest ‘State of the Personal Property Securities System Report 2023-24’ shows the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) holds registrations with a potential economic value of up to $450 billion.

The PPSR supports the flow of credit, underpinning Australia’s $3.6 trillion credit system by enabling Australian creditors to safeguard their security interests, and empowering consumers and businesses to make informed decisions.

Over the last 10 years, the number of PPSR registrations has increased, reaching more than 10 million in 2023-24.

There were over 2 million new registrations in 2023-24, representing an increase of 7.9% over the year before. There were also more searches conducted on the PPSR - up 7.9% to just under 13 million.

This shows a growing understanding of the protection the PPSR offers. The PPSR can help you understand who else has an interest in something when thinking about:

• buying a vehicle
• lending items
• buying second-hand goods
• purchasing items on consignment
• dealing with intellectual property
• other items which may be subject to security being held over them.

Did you know most registrations (79%) are businesses lending to businesses? The most common registrations of these were in the ‘construction’, followed by ‘rental, hiring and real estate services’ industries.

Cyber security for small business may be on the ‘To Do’ list but is sometimes not done due to other priorities.

Check out this easy checklist and resource hub to help you tick cyber security off your list and actively protect your business: Cyber security | ASBFEO.

We’ve hit the jackpot! The new year started with a record 5 million cars registered on the PPSR!

Aside from motor vehicles, PPSR registrations cover a wide variety of personal property. For example, there are 2 Tiffany diamonds and artworks by Norman Lindsay and Kudditji Kngwarreye registered.

By registering on the PPSR, you are protecting your client’s interest in valuable assets. Do they have something they should register to secure their interests?

We would really like to hear from you. Any feedback is welcome. We especially invite ideas for topics you’d like to read about.

Please send any feedback to education@afsa.gov.au.

Alternatively, if you want to contact us directly with any questions about the PPSR, you can contact us via:

Enquiries: 1300 007 777 | www.ppsr.gov.au

Email: enquiries@ppsr.gov.au

Postal: GPO Box 1944, Adelaide SA 5001