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Conveyancing across Australia

Electronic settlement update

PEXA settlement steps in NSW

PEXA is used for many electronic property settlements in NSW. The workspace connects the legal representatives, financial institutions and registry processes needed to complete lodgement and financial settlement. It does not replace legal advice, lender approval or the checks required for a particular transaction.

General information
Illustrative electronic property settlement context
Illustrative image. It does not depict an Aquarius Lawyers office, staff member, client, property, matter, or outcome.

What the electronic workspace does

Legal representatives and financial institutions use the shared electronic workspace to prepare for settlement. They enter the documents, payment directions and settlement figures required for the transaction.

The platform coordinates the process. The lawyer, lender and client must decide whether a contract term is acceptable, whether finance is approved and whether the client should proceed.

What needs attention before settlement

The exact preparation depends on the contract, property, lender and parties. Buyers and sellers may be asked for different documents and confirmations, and the timing of each task can matter.

Identity and authority
Verification of identity and authority for the legal representative to act in the electronic transaction.
Transfer and duty
Transfer details and any required Revenue NSW assessment, declaration or payment step.
Lender readiness
Loan documents, mortgage or discharge arrangements, and the lender’s own settlement requirements.
Final figures
Adjustments, loan proceeds, source funds, payment directions and any amount still required before settlement.

What happens at settlement

When the workspace is ready and the participants have completed their required steps, the electronic process coordinates the movement of settlement funds and lodgement of the relevant dealings.

Clients do not ordinarily press a settlement button themselves. Their legal representative and financial institution complete their respective workspace tasks. A delay can occur when a required participant, document, figure or source of funds is not ready.

What happens after completion

After settlement, the legal representative can report on completion and the status of the electronic lodgement. The practical next steps may include confirming agent arrangements, retaining the settlement statement and attending to any issue left open by the transaction.

Registration timing and post-settlement requirements can vary. Ask which confirmations will be provided and whether anything remains for you, your lender or another adviser to complete.

Questions that can affect timing

Raise a concern early if a bank, transfer, duty amount, inspection, adjustment or required payment is unresolved. The available response depends on the contract and the facts, so a general checklist cannot determine the legal consequence of a delay.

Ask what time your settlement is booked and when each participant must be ready. This will help you identify any document, payment or lender step that still needs attention.

Finance
Has the lender confirmed its remaining requirements and expected settlement readiness?
Funds
Is the required contribution available in the form and account requested for settlement?
Figures
Have the adjustment statement and payment directions been reviewed and clarified?
Deadline
If something is unresolved, when must it be raised under the contract or with another participant?

Official sources

Check the current process and charges.

External guidance can change. These links were checked when this update was reviewed.

General information only.

This guide does not provide legal, financial or tax advice about a particular property, contract, lender or settlement. Requirements and legal consequences depend on the transaction and the law applying at the time.

Ask about your settlement

Send any unresolved issue before settlement

Share the property stage, suburb, contract status and settlement date so Aquarius Lawyers can consider the enquiry and proposed scope.