AUSTRALIAN dealers through the AADA are making a major pitch to the federal government over personal data requirements for finance applications. Dealers are saying delays in recording ownership details in the system have become costly and in some cases, lead to buyers walking away from a sale. As part of its pre-budget submission to the federal government, the Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA) said the delays by some finance companies in removing financial interests on the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR), on finance loans that have been paid out, is costing sales and profit in dealerships
Many dealers say delays in removing security interests (or encumbrances) have become costly and, in some cases, lead to dealers not being able to provide clear title immediately. This results in buyers walking away from a sale.
Delays from some finance companies have also led to some dealers reporting that the PPSR system is leading to additional cost for dealerships where they are forced to continually pay for PPSR certificates to validate whether the vehicle title is clear.
The PPSR is a critical tool for the sector. Introduced by the federal government in 2012, it allows dealers and consumers to check whether a vehicle has an existing financial interest attached to it amongst other things.
According to the PPSR administrator, the Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA), more than half of all PPSR searches relate to motor vehicles, and nearly five million active registrations are linked to cars. This makes automotive industry-related registrations the heaviest users of the system.
On behalf of the nearly 4000 dealerships across Australia, the AADA said that PPSR clearance delays are causing inefficiencies at dealerships and for consumers trying to buy used cars.
It said the AADA worked with AFSA to compile a national member survey, to identify the gravity of the issues and work with AFSA and finance companies to try and improve turnaround times.
The survey results reported that 71 per cent of respondents had experienced PPSR delays beyond the mandated five business day timeframe. The survey also reported that more than a quarter of Australian dealers conduct over 200 PPSR searches each month, and that 35 per cent of dealers reported financial losses directly linked to these delays.
AFSA’s chief executive Tim Beresford, in August 2025, wrote to the federal treasurer Jim Chalmers, outlining problems with the PPSR that stem from the sometimes excessive delays in finance companies updating finance documents.
AFSA, on behalf of consumers and business owners, highlighted the failure of creditors to remove expired registrations (that is, loans that had been repaid) “was affecting their ability to secure credit and delaying commercial transactions”.
“It also significantly increases administrative and legal costs in disputing the registration,” the AFSA letter said.
AFSA reported that disputed registrations increased from 1,573 in 2023–24 to 2,191 in 2024–25, with numbers continuing to rise.
Tim Beresford
AFSA noted that the failure of creditors to remove outdated registrations was creating unnecessary administrative and legal costs for businesses and consumers.
In its 2026 pre-budget submission, the AADA calls for reform in the franchising agreements for dealers and a tightening of the unfair trading laws; better support for dealers in the EV transition through the DRIVEN program; and fast tracking PPSR delays.
The calls included improving PPSR processing times and ensuring finance companies comply with the five- business day requirement. The AADA argues that this is a simple and practical fix that would deliver immediate productivity gains for dealers and consumers. It has also recommended reviewing repeat PPSR search fees, which add to the financial burden on dealerships.
“Delays in clearing PPSR registrations are a daily frustration for dealers and consumers alike,” the AADA said in its submission.
“This is a simple fix – ensuring timely removal of registrations and reviewing repeat search fees would deliver immediate productivity gains across the industry.”
Michael McKenna
AADA director of industry affairs, Michael McKenna, told GoAutoNews Premium that in 2026 it was not unreasonable to expect that a PPSR interest should take no more than the required 5 days to be removed once the finance company received payment. Whilst the survey found that some financiers perform well, others consistently fall short, creating unnecessary delays and risks.
He said some delays were as long as four weeks.
Overall, the industry is calling for a more reliable, timely, and consistent approach from finance companies to ensure the PPSR system functions as intended. Addressing these delays would reduce costs, improve consumer outcomes, and support smoother transactions across the automotive sector.
* The PPSR (Personal Property Securities Register) is the government online register that records security interests in personal property, including vehicles. It is a register of security interests, not a register of ownership.
A PPSR check – more commonly known as a REVS check – is primarily used as a search tool that can protect businesses and individuals buying used cars by identifying if finance is owed on the cars.
AADA’S latest ongoing recommendations to Canberra
Support More Effective Franchising Relationships
Address the structural power imbalance between franchised dealers and multinational vehicle manufacturers.
Legislate unfair trading practices protections for all franchisees.
Extend unfair contract terms protections to all franchisees, regardless of size or turnover.
Improve the operation of the Australian Consumer Law to better support both consumers and dealers, including clearer indemnification and remedy processes.
Safeguard dealers from unintended impacts of the NVES
Move NVES compliance obligations to the point of sale, ensuring responsibility aligns with the regulated entity.
Revisit business incentives such as the instant asset write off
Allocate $20 million from the DRIVEN program to support dealer-led EV transition initiatives in regional and remote areas.
Expand eligibility criteria under existing budgetary commitments to better reflect franchised dealership operating models through direct grants to incentivise investment.
Invest in consumer education, workforce training, charging infrastructure and safety equipment at the dealership level.
Expand investment incentives to support dealer investment in the transition to lower-emissions vehicles.
Other AADA recommendations to Canberra
Reform and modernise automotive taxation.
Measured implementation of Luxury Car Tax reform.
Remove the application of Luxury Car Tax to dealer-installed accessories, aftermarket fittings and modifications.
Ensure any Commonwealth LCT exemptions flow through to state and territory tax and duty regimes.
Introduce a defined exemption for dealership demonstrator vehicles under any future road user charging scheme.
Review and simplify Fringe Benefits Tax rules applying to dealership demonstrator vehicles and car parking.
Streamlining the removal of finance company based or inappropriate registration of Personal Property and Securities
Register encumbrances and reviewing the fees for repeat
By Neil Dowling on 21st April 2026 Comment, News, Regulations AADA
AUSTRALIAN dealers through the AADA are making a major pitch to the federal government over personal data requirements for finance applications. Dealers are saying delays in recording ownership details in the system have become costly and in some cases, lead to buyers walking away from a sale. As part of its pre-budget submission to the federal government, the Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA) said the delays by some finance companies in removing financial interests on the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR), on finance loans that have been paid out, is costing sales and profit in dealerships
Many dealers say delays in removing security interests (or encumbrances) have become costly and, in some cases, lead to dealers not being able to provide clear title immediately. This results in buyers walking away from a sale.
Delays from some finance companies have also led to some dealers reporting that the PPSR system is leading to additional cost for dealerships where they are forced to continually pay for PPSR certificates to validate whether the vehicle title is clear.
The PPSR is a critical tool for the sector. Introduced by the federal government in 2012, it allows dealers and consumers to check whether a vehicle has an existing financial interest attached to it amongst other things.
According to the PPSR administrator, the Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA), more than half of all PPSR searches relate to motor vehicles, and nearly five million active registrations are linked to cars. This makes automotive industry-related registrations the heaviest users of the system.
On behalf of the nearly 4000 dealerships across Australia, the AADA said that PPSR clearance delays are causing inefficiencies at dealerships and for consumers trying to buy used cars.
It said the AADA worked with AFSA to compile a national member survey, to identify the gravity of the issues and work with AFSA and finance companies to try and improve turnaround times.
The survey results reported that 71 per cent of respondents had experienced PPSR delays beyond the mandated five business day timeframe. The survey also reported that more than a quarter of Australian dealers conduct over 200 PPSR searches each month, and that 35 per cent of dealers reported financial losses directly linked to these delays.
AFSA’s chief executive Tim Beresford, in August 2025, wrote to the federal treasurer Jim Chalmers, outlining problems with the PPSR that stem from the sometimes excessive delays in finance companies updating finance documents.
AFSA, on behalf of consumers and business owners, highlighted the failure of creditors to remove expired registrations (that is, loans that had been repaid) “was affecting their ability to secure credit and delaying commercial transactions”.
“It also significantly increases administrative and legal costs in disputing the registration,” the AFSA letter said.
AFSA reported that disputed registrations increased from 1,573 in 2023–24 to 2,191 in 2024–25, with numbers continuing to rise.
Tim Beresford
AFSA noted that the failure of creditors to remove outdated registrations was creating unnecessary administrative and legal costs for businesses and consumers.
In its 2026 pre-budget submission, the AADA calls for reform in the franchising agreements for dealers and a tightening of the unfair trading laws; better support for dealers in the EV transition through the DRIVEN program; and fast tracking PPSR delays.
The calls included improving PPSR processing times and ensuring finance companies comply with the five- business day requirement. The AADA argues that this is a simple and practical fix that would deliver immediate productivity gains for dealers and consumers. It has also recommended reviewing repeat PPSR search fees, which add to the financial burden on dealerships.
“Delays in clearing PPSR registrations are a daily frustration for dealers and consumers alike,” the AADA said in its submission.
“This is a simple fix – ensuring timely removal of registrations and reviewing repeat search fees would deliver immediate productivity gains across the industry.”
Michael McKenna
AADA director of industry affairs, Michael McKenna, told GoAutoNews Premium that in 2026 it was not unreasonable to expect that a PPSR interest should take no more than the required 5 days to be removed once the finance company received payment. Whilst the survey found that some financiers perform well, others consistently fall short, creating unnecessary delays and risks.
He said some delays were as long as four weeks.
Overall, the industry is calling for a more reliable, timely, and consistent approach from finance companies to ensure the PPSR system functions as intended. Addressing these delays would reduce costs, improve consumer outcomes, and support smoother transactions across the automotive sector.
* The PPSR (Personal Property Securities Register) is the government online register that records security interests in personal property, including vehicles. It is a register of security interests, not a register of ownership.
A PPSR check – more commonly known as a REVS check – is primarily used as a search tool that can protect businesses and individuals buying used cars by identifying if finance is owed on the cars.
AADA’S latest ongoing recommendations to Canberra
Other AADA recommendations to Canberra
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