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Refinancing your home loan can feel like something that happens entirely between you and two banks. Apply, get approved, done. But in Western Australia, refinancing still triggers a settlement, and that settlement has to be managed by a licensed settlement agent, even though no property is changing hands. Most Perth homeowners don't find this out until their new lender asks who's handling the settlement. If that's you, here's what actually happens: why you need a settlement agent to refinance in [...]

What Happens on Settlement Day in WA: A Guide to the Final Step Quick answer: On settlement day in Western Australia, settlement completes electronically through the PEXA platform. Buyers and sellers don't need to attend in person or meet anyone at a settlement table. Your settlement agent lodges the Transfer of Land with Landgate, WA's land titles registry, and coordinates the exchange of funds inside the PEXA workspace at a scheduled time. Settlement itself is usually complete within about an [...]

Off-the-Plan Settlement in WA: Concessions, Delays & What Buyers Need to Know  If you've signed a contract to buy off the plan in Western Australia, settlement works differently to an established property. Off-the-plan settlement (sometimes called new build settlement or off-the-plan conveyancing) follows the construction timeline rather than a fixed date. Here's how the timing works, what the transfer duty concession still offers in 2026, and what to watch for with sunset clauses and strata titling.  Quick answer: Off-the-plan settlement in Western Australia happens once [...]

First Home Buyer Settlement in WA: Grants, Concessions & the Settlement Process  If you're a first home buyer in Western Australia, the First Home Owner Grant and the first home buyer duty concessions can make a real difference at settlement. Here's what they're worth, who can get them, and how your settlement agent handles them on the day.  Quick answer: The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) in Western Australia is a one-off payment of up to $10,000 for eligible buyers building or buying a new [...]

Joint Tenants vs Tenants in Common in WA: What Buyers Need to Know at Settlement If you're buying property with someone else in Western Australia, your settlement agent will ask you one question that catches most co-buyers off guard: will you hold the property as joint tenants or tenants in common?  In Western Australia, property co-owners must choose one of two ownership structures at settlement: joint tenants or tenants in common. Whether you've searched for tenants in common versus joint tenants, or joint tenancy vs [...]

Can You Change or Extend a Settlement Date in WA? Settlement plans can shift. A finance approval might take longer than expected. A building inspection might raise issues that need time to resolve. Or you might be selling and buying at the same time, and one date has changed. Many buyers and sellers in Western Australia find themselves needing to change or extend their settlement date after the contract is signed. The good news is that this is possible in [...]

Selling a Tenanted Property in WA: What Landlords Need to Know Before Settlement Selling a tenanted property in Western Australia is a different process to selling a vacant home, and it catches more landlords off guard than you might expect. You have legal obligations under the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 that affect everything from how you run inspections to what documents the buyer receives at settlement. Miss a step and you are looking at delays, a buyer dispute, or a [...]

How Long Does Property Settlement Take in WA? You've signed the contract. The excitement is real, and so is the waiting. For most Perth buyers and sellers, the period between signing and settlement day is the most anxious part of the whole transaction.  So how long does it actually take?  Property settlement in Western Australia typically takes between 30 and 90 days from the date the contract becomes unconditional. The exact timeframe depends on what was agreed in the contract, when finance is approved, and how quickly all [...]

Settlement Agent Fees in WA: What You'll Pay Depending on Your Situation (2026)  Settlement agent fees for buyers in WA typically start from $800 for a standard residential purchase, but that's only the professional fee. Statutory charges sit on top: transfer duty, Landgate title search and registration fees, and PEXA platform fees. Those components are itemised separately in every quote.  The full amount you pay depends on your transaction type, not just the property value. A standard purchase, a first home buyer purchase, a [...]

Conveyancing in Perth: What It Is and Why WA Does It Differently If you've searched "conveyancing Perth" and ended up confused, you're not alone. Most people use the word "conveyancing" without realising Western Australia has its own distinct system for handling property transfers, one that differs significantly from the eastern states.  Here's the short answer: in Western Australia,"conveyancing" refers to the legal and administrative process of transferring property ownership from one person to another. It is carried out by licensed settlement agents, not solicitors. [...]

What to Do if Settlement Is Delayed in WA The settlement date is circled on the calendar. Boxes are packed. Keys are ready to change hands. Then the call comes through and settlement isn't happening today.  A delayed settlement is one of the most stressful things that can happen at the end of a property transaction. But it doesn't have to mean the deal is off. In Western Australia, there are clear rules about what happens when settlement doesn't proceed on time, and knowing those rules ahead [...]

How Unapproved Structures Affect Property Settlement in Perth That DIY shed out the back. The patio that went up one long weekend. The garage that quietly became a home office. Unapproved structures are more common in Perth properties than many buyers and sellers realise. And they have a habit of surfacing at the worst possible time: during settlement. If you're buying or selling a home in Western Australia, understanding how unpermitted structures affect the settlement process could save you from [...]

Top Causes of Settlement Delays in Perth and How to Avoid Them Settlement day should be straightforward. You've signed the contract, the finance is sorted, and you're counting down the days. Then something goes wrong. Delays are one of the most common sources of anxiety in any property transaction, and they don't just cause stress. They can trigger financial penalties, push back removalists, derail connected purchases, and in some cases, put the whole deal at risk. The good news is [...]

Buying or Selling Without a Real Estate Agent: Tips for Private Property Sales in WA In Western Australia, buying or selling property without the help of a real estate agent has become more common. This is because both buyers and sellers have more control over negotiations, direct communication between parties, and the cost is lower than hiring a real estate agent. While private sales can work well, they also come with more responsibility. Both buyers and sellers have to manage [...]

Transferring Property to Family Members (Gifts & Spousal Transfers) in WA For many people in Western Australia, whether getting married, helping their children enter the property market, finalising a divorce settlement or restructuring family assets, they may choose to transfer property to a family member. This practice is more common than many people realise. Some may think that transferring a property to a family member can be straightforward, simple and tax-free, however, in reality this process involves strict legal requirements, [...]

Selling a Deceased Estate Property in Perth: Steps and Challenges Selling a property after the death of a loved one is never just a transaction. In Western Australia, a deceased estate property sale often comes at a time of grief, uncertainty, and emotional pressure while also involving additional legal and procedural steps that don’t apply to a standard property sale. During these difficult times, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed and to question whether it’s the right time to sell the [...]

Seller’s Settlement Checklist: RCDs, Smoke Alarms, and Other Obligations In Western Australia, selling a property does not only involve signing a contract and handing over the keys. There are some legal and practical obligations that sellers need to meet before the settlement can take place. This process can be overwhelming particularly for the sellers that have to handle property sales involving deceased estate. Tight deadlines, complex paperwork, and emotional strain often add to the stress Discover the seller’s settlement checklist [...]

Buying or selling property is exciting, but it also comes with plenty of fine print and processes that can be stressful if something unexpected pops up.

Don't get caught out, this is the comprehensive pre-settlement inspection checklist that can help save you thousands in missed or newly needed repairs.

A conveyancer represents and advocates their clients' best interests. We explain how their responsibilities and services assist you throughout your property transaction.

Property transactions in Western Australia have undergone a significant transformation in recent years, thanks to the introduction of the Property Exchange Australia (PEXA) platform.

The property settlement process involves the legal and financial transfer of property ownership from a seller to a buyer. Learn more about the structure of this complex procedure on our article.

In Perth and wider WA, the introduction of the Property Exchange Australia (PEXA) system has revolutionized property settlement transactions, providing a digital platform for streamlined conveyancing processes.

A new milestone in Western Australia modernizes and streamlines the property ownership processes