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What is a certificate of currency? (Australia)

A clear guide to certificates of currency in Australia: what they are, when you need one, how to get one from your insurer, and how long they stay valid.

If you have ever applied for a home loan, signed a commercial lease, registered a vehicle for work, or engaged a contractor, you have probably been asked for a certificate of currency. It is one of the most requested insurance documents in Australia, and also one of the most poorly explained.

What a certificate of currency actually is

A certificate of currency (sometimes called a certificate of insurance, or abbreviated as CoC) is a short statement from an insurer confirming that a named policy is currently in force. It is not the full Product Disclosure Statement. It is not a quote. It is proof that cover exists right now.

A typical Australian certificate of currency includes:

  • Insurer name and ABN
  • Policy number
  • Named insured (you, your company, or both)
  • Period of insurance (start and end dates)
  • What is covered (for example building, public liability, motor)
  • Sum insured or limit of indemnity
  • Sometimes the situation or location the certificate applies to

When Australians are asked for one

  • Home loans and refinances. Lenders want proof the property is insured before settlement and often again each year.
  • Landlords and body corporates. Tenants with contents cover, or owners in a strata scheme, may need to show cover is active.
  • Contractors and trades. Public liability and professional indemnity certificates are routinely required before work starts on site.
  • Vehicle fleets and novated leases. Employers and finance companies ask for current motor cover.

Certificate of currency vs policy schedule vs PDS

Policy schedule

Issued when the policy starts or renews. It lists the commercial details: premium, excess, sum insured, endorsements. Useful for you; not always accepted as a fresh certificate by a bank.

Certificate of currency

Generated on request (or via portal) to confirm the policy is still live on a particular date. Often preferred by third parties because it is dated and purpose-built as proof.

Product Disclosure Statement (PDS)

The long legal document that defines what is and is not covered. You almost never send a PDS when someone asks for a certificate of currency.

Tip: keep the latest certificate of currency and schedule filed against each policy. When a bank or landlord emails at 4pm asking for proof by tomorrow, you should not have to dig through six months of insurer portals.

How to get a certificate of currency

  1. Check your insurer's app or member portal first. Most major Australian insurers let you download a certificate instantly.
  2. If you bought through a broker, ask them. Brokers can usually issue or request one the same day.
  3. Call or email the insurer's certificates team if portal access fails. Have your policy number ready.
  4. Save the PDF with a clear name (for example CoC-home-2026-07.pdf) and store it with the rest of that policy's documents.

How long it stays useful

A certificate proves cover as at the issue date. Many lenders want one issued within the last 14–30 days. If the underlying policy lapses, the certificate becomes worthless regardless of how recently it was printed. That is why renewal tracking matters: a missed renewal can quietly invalidate the next certificate request.

A system that keeps certificates ready

The practical fix is not another Downloads folder. It is a single place where every current schedule, certificate and renewal notice lives against the right policy, with a reminder before cover ends so you renew before someone asks for proof again.

Insuro stores policy PDFs (including certificates of currency) in a private vault and reminds you before each renewal so cover stays continuous. Forward insurer emails to your@insuro.com.auaddress. Free during beta.

Frequently asked questions

What is a certificate of currency in Australia?⌄

A certificate of currency is a short document from your insurer confirming that a policy is currently in force. It usually shows the insurer, policy number, period of cover, who or what is insured, and the sum insured.

Is a certificate of currency the same as a policy schedule?⌄

Often they contain similar information. A schedule is the detailed policy summary issued at inception or renewal. A certificate of currency is specifically issued (or regenerated) to prove cover is active on a given date, which is why banks and landlords request it.

How long is a certificate of currency valid?⌄

It proves cover as at the date it was issued. Most requesters want one dated within the last 30 days, and it only remains meaningful while the underlying policy is still in force.

How do I get a certificate of currency quickly?⌄

Log into your insurer's portal, use their certificate of currency request form, or ask your broker. Keep the latest PDF filed with your policy so you can send it immediately next time.

Stop losing track of your policies.

Free during beta. Forward policy emails to your private @insuro.com.au address and we take it from there.

Create your free vault

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