The Office and Practice of a Notary Microcredential

The course will be delivered as a two-day interactive workshop and you must be available to attend the workshops in-person. The next course will be on 25 and 26 July 2025.

You will be assessed on the basis of your active participation in the workshop and completion of a 1000-word essay following the workshop.

Course outline:

1. The Office of Notary
2. The Civil Law Tradition
3. Introduction to the Notarial Act
4. Notarial Acts in Authentic Form
5. Notarial Acts in Private Form
6. Identification
7. Oaths, affirmations and declarations
8. Copy Certification
9. Authentication of Australian Notarial Acts for production abroad
10. Professional Conduct
11. Fees and Costing
12. Professional Practice
13. Powers of Attorney
14. Foreign language documents
15. Practising in the Digital Environment

The syllabus for this course has been approved and endorsed by the Master of Faculties in London, who is responsible for the administration of Notaries Public appointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The required reading for this course is Principles of Notarial Practice (3rd Edition) by Prof Peter Zablud, which can be purchased from the Notary Press, Victoria via this form.

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For prospective, new and experienced notaries alike, the book is an essential resource to inform your practice.

Upon completion of the course, you should be able to:

• Describe the role and responsibilities of a Notary Public, including their duties as a public officer, their obligations to maintain the confidentiality and impartiality of their work, and the types of legal documents they are authorised to notarise.
• Explain the regulatory framework for notarial practice in Queensland, including the relevant laws and regulations governing the appointment and conduct of Notaries Public, and the procedures for obtaining a Notarial Commission from the Court of Faculties in London.
• Apply practical skills and techniques for notarial practice, including verifying the identity of signers, administering oaths and affirmations, certifying copies of documents, and notarising deeds and other legal instruments. They will also be familiar with the ethical principles and best practices that govern notarial practice, including the importance of maintaining accurate records, protecting the privacy of clients, and avoiding conflicts of interest.

Upon successful completion of the workshop and paper, you will: 

• Earn 12 CPD points as part of your legal practice CLE requirements in Queensland.
• Receive a digital Certificate of Achievement in recognition of your new skills.
• Become a Fellow of the Society of Notary Publics Queensland - only applicable to those who are a Notary Public.

Important notice regarding eligibility to become a Notary

This course syllabus has been approved by the Master of Faculties in London, who oversees the appointment of Notaries in Queensland. However, eligibility requirements vary by state and territory, and this course may not meet the requirements in other jurisdictions.

It is your responsibility to check the specific eligibility requirements with the relevant authority in the state where you intend to practise as a Notary before enrolling in this course.

The University cannot provide advice on eligibility requirements

This course has been designed for:

• Current Notaries Public 
• Legal practitioners seeking admission as a Queensland Notary Public

Course prerequisites

Learners should hold a legal qualification, e.g. LLB or JD.

Enrolment deadline: Sunday, 13 July 2025
Workshop dates: Friday 25 and Saturday 26 2025
Workshop location: The two-day workshop is delivered in person at Bond Brisbane, Level 2, 433 Boundary St, Spring Hill, Brisbane 4000

You will gain access to some online pre-reading from 18 July. Your written assessment will be due on 10 August.

This course is only offered once per year and places are very limited. Enrol now to avoid disappointment.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation by Bond University
The University reserves the right to cancel or reschedule courses at its discretion.
In the event that a course is cancelled, participants will be advised no less than 15 days prior to the course starting and refunded in full.

Cancellation by Participant
If a participant elects to cancel their enrolment in a course, cancellation fees will apply as follows:

More than 15 business days prior to the start of a course, request a full refund.
Cancellations within 15 business days prior to the start of a course are not eligible for a refund.