Licence Agreement Before Settlement in Victoria
Last updated: 19 January 2026. Licence Agreement Before Settlement in Victoria: What Buyers & Sellers Need to Know Have you purchased a residential or commercial property in Victoria but don’t want to wait until settlement to move in?Or have you sold your property but aren’t ready to move out by the settlement date? In these […]
Everything you need to know about dual PPR land tax exemption
Owning your own home is every Australian’s dream. Unfortunately, as you probably already know, it’s a very expensive dream. Luckily, the Victorian government offers a number of tax exemptions for homeowners, including the principal place of residence exemption for land tax. Your principal place of residence (PPR) — that is, the place where you live […]
What are the notice requirements under General Condition 28?
In Victoria, when you buy or sell a property, you will need a legal contract known as the Contract of Sale. This contract depicts the particulars of sale and ensures that both parties are clear about their obligations. It is usually prepared by a legal practitioner or conveyancer and both the purchaser (buyer) and vendor […]
Everything you need to know about the HomeBuilder Grant (Victoria)
The HomeBuilder Grant was a key financial support initiative introduced by the Victorian Government to stimulate the residential construction market during the COVID-19 pandemic. While applications officially closed on 14 April 2021, eligible applicants can still submit supporting documents, and payments are being finalised throughout 2025. Whether you’re a first home buyer, looking to build […]
Swimming pool and spa registrations laws
On 1 December 2019, laws to improve pool and spa safety came into effect in Victoria. New registration, inspection and certificate requirements are now imposed on property which has a pool and spa. The new laws apply to swimming pools and spas that are capable of holding more than 300 mm (30 cm) of water. […]
GST withholding obligation at settlement
If you are buying or selling a residential property in Australia — or even land that could be used to build a residential property (also known as ‘potential residential land’) — you will need to be aware of your GST withholding obligations. That being said, it can be tricky to understand exactly what you are obliged […]
Owner builder warranty inspection under Section 137B of the Building Act 1993 (VIC)
Requirements under Section 137B Section 137B of the Building Act 1993 (VIC) requires owner builders of residential property to obtain a building report which is not less than six (6) months old and provide this to potential purchasers of the property. The information in the report could include general information about the property, such as a building […]
Foreign Property Purchasers
Who is classified as a foreign property purchaser? A foreign purchaser is a person who is not an Australian citizen, a person who does not have Australian permanent residency, a foreign corporation or a trustee of a foreign trust. New Zealand citizens with a special category visa (Subclass 444) are classified as permanent residents if […]
Amendments to Sale of Land Act 1962
Key changes to the Sale of Land Act 1962 The Sale of Land Amendment Act 2019 makes a number of amendments to the Sale of Land Act 1962, including an amendment to Section 12(d) and the insertion of Section 12A. Section 12A of the Act (as amended) states: “The Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria may make […]
Sunset Clauses: Retrospective Protection Against Dodgy Developers
Parliament passed the Sale of Land Amendment Bill 2019 (Vic) (Bill) on 28 May 2019. This Bill brought into effect retrospective legislation relating to sunset dates (also known as the latest date for registration) in the off-the-plan contracts of sale. What are Sunset Clauses? A “sunset clause” is a condition in an “off the plan” contract of sale […]