The adoption of ePlan will simplify access to land information for surveyors, government entities (including referral authorities) and the community.
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Plan ahead for ePlan mandate
Digital submission of plans and surveys in the ePlan format is the next step on the path towards a fully digital land registry in Victoria.
Plan and survey data are transitioning to digital lodgment from 2024-2032, ensuring industry readiness for 3D cadastral survey data with a national standard.
The ePlan mandate is phasing in gradually to help manage this transition for industry, with a focus on plan and survey data. The mandate commenced in July 2024 with plans of consolidation and will progress to all plans that don’t require a cross-section under the Subdivision Act 1988 by 2028.
What is ePlan?
ePlan is a digital data file created using the Single CAD Format File (SCFF) specification, which represents cadastral and administrative information related to a plan.
ePlan files are lodged through SPEAR and managed in the ePlan Portal
Benefits of ePlan
ePlan has been developed to improve the efficiency of registration of dealings supported by plan and survey information. Over time, it will deliver significantly improved services to the surveying profession and the Victorian community.
ePlan improves data quality, minimises duplication, and paves the way for end-to-end digital data workflows throughout the lifecycle of a plan within SPEAR. ePlan is an important foundational milestone in the 10-year strategy for Victoria’s cadastral system.
The ePlan system is introducing digital examination and validation tools to enhance certainty, efficiency, consistency and transparency in the lodgment processes.
The transition to ePlan will contribute to improvements in information contained in the digital cadastre and the survey control network, ensuring a more reliable and accurate representation of land information.
ePlan will make automated updates to Victoria’s digital cadastre possible, ensuring that this critical dataset remains current and reflects changes in the surveyed landscape.
Surveyors will benefit from the availability of accurate and up-to-date digital data, to optimise ways of working with the most current cadastral information available.
An accurate and up-to-date cadastre opens avenues for the development of new digital products for the community, fostering innovation and extending the benefits of digitisation.
Timeline
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29 July 2024
Mandate phase 1 commenced
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28 February 2025
Phase 2 details released
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29 August 2025
Phase 2 mandate commences
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2026-2028
Phases 3 and 4 – details to be released
Phase 1
All eligible Plans of Consolidation first submitted to Council for certification on or after 29 July 2024, must be lodged as an ePlan.
Phase 2
All eligible Plans of Subdivision creating up to 10 parcels and first submitted to council on or after 29 August 2025, must be accompanied by an ePlan.
The full definition for each phase of the ePlan Mandate will be published in the Registrar’s Requirements for Paper Conveyancing Transactions, Requirement 19.
Extract for the next version of the Registrar's Requirements:
19.3 For the purposes of the Registrar's Requirement 19.2, the classes of Plan and/or Survey and corresponding requirements are as follows:
| Class of Plan and/or Survey | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 1. All Plans of Consolidation to be Lodged with the Registrar, first submitted to Council for certification on or after 29 July 2024. | The Plan must be accompanied by an ePlan when first submitted to Council for certification and when released for Lodgment. At both these points, the ePlan must be consistent with the Plan. |
| 2. All Plans of Subdivision creating up to 10 parcels, not prepared under section 23, 24A, 32, 32A, 32B, 35, 35(8) or 37 of the Subdivision Act 1988, to be Lodged with the Registrar, first submitted to Council for certification on or after 29 August 2025. | ThePlan must be accompanied by an ePlan when first submitted to Council for certification and when released for Lodgment. At both these points, the ePlan must be consistent with the Plan. |
Common questions and answers
If you have technical questions on ePlan, visit Frequently Asked Questions on the SPEAR website.
ePlan supports both survey and non-survey-based plans, but there are some features not currently supported in ePlan.
If your plan has features that are not currently supported in ePlan, the plan will be exempt from the ePlan Mandate.
ePlan enhancements for remaining features will be developed over time. For current information on features that are currently not supported, please visit the SPEAR website.
There is no change to lodgment requirements for lodging parties when lodging a plan that is an ePlan.
Lodging parties should be aware that if a plan is subject to the ePlan mandate and is not in the ePlan format, the lodgment may be refused. Refer to the ePlan mandate Timeline and Phases above for current ePlan requirements.
Training and support
Surveyors will receive ongoing support and education through each phase of the implementation.
ePlan training material is available on the SPEAR website. Surveyors requiring support or training in the use of ePlan are encouraged to contact the SPEAR Service Desk
For questions on the ePlan mandate, please email eplan.mandate@transport.vic.gov.au
Further information
Read more on ePlan on the SPEAR website.
Read more on cadastral surveying practice:
Page last updated: 27/02/25