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News and Insights

Here you’ll find the latest insights from our lawyers on a wide range of legal topics, industry developments and key innovations, along with summaries of recent media releases, deals and awards.

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The Star ordered to pay $260 million for AML/CTF breaches: lessons for reporting entities

The Federal Court has ordered The Star to pay $260 million for serious breaches of Australia’s anti-money laundering laws. Here’s what the Court found, and wha…

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Finance conditions in Queensland: what every buyer needs to know

A finance condition lets you sign a Queensland contract before your loan is formally approved. Here’s how it works, what you must do by the finance date and wh…

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Cooling-off in Victoria: what every buyer needs to know

In Victoria you can usually cool off within 3 clear business days of signing a contract. Here’s how it works, what it costs and the many cases where it doesn’t…

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Deposits in NSW: what every buyer needs to know

Your deposit secures the property, and it’s what you risk losing if things go wrong. Here’s how much you pay, when and to whom, the alternatives to cash and ho…

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Seller disclosure in Queensland: what every buyer needs to know

Since 1 August 2025, Queensland sellers must give buyers a disclosure statement and key certificates before a contract is signed. Here’s what you should receiv…

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Stamp duty in Victoria: what every buyer needs to know

Stamp duty is often the biggest cost of buying in Victoria after the deposit. Here’s how it’s calculated, the exemptions and concessions you may qualify for, a…

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Buying a strata unit in NSW: what every buyer needs to know

When you buy a strata unit, you also buy into the building’s finances, rules and repairs. Here’s what to check before you sign, from levies and by-laws to defe…

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Buying at auction in Victoria: what every buyer needs to know

There’s no cooling-off when you buy at auction in Victoria, and new reserve price rules started this month. Learn how auctions work, what to check first and ho…

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Settlement adjustments in NSW: what buyers and sellers need to know

At settlement, council rates, water, strata levies and sometimes land tax are shared between buyer and seller. Learn how NSW adjustments work and what to check…

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ASIC RG 172 Financial Resources Consultation | 2026 Update

ASIC has released draft updates to RG 172 setting out how much market operators must hold, in what form, and when significant venues must stress test. Comments…

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Section 27 Deposit Release in Victoria | 2026 Buyer’s Guide

Sellers in Victoria can ask for your deposit before settlement. Learn how section 27 works, your 28-day right to object, and the law change due by 1 July 2027….

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Building and Pest Conditions Explained | The Complete VIC Buyer’s Guide

In Victoria, building and pest conditions are not automatic. Learn how General Conditions 21 and 22 work, the report deadline, cooling-off and owner-builder ru…

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OAIC Data Breach Statistics 2026 | Large-Scale Breaches Rise

The OAIC received 667 data breach notifications in the first half of 2026. Breaches affecting more than 100,000 Australians jumped from 3 to 13. Here is what t…

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Buying an Off-the-Plan Property in NSW | The Complete Buyer’s Guide

Buying off the plan in NSW comes with extra legal protections, from a 10 business day cooling-off period to limits on sunset clauses. Here is what you need to …

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Pre-Auction Offers Explained | The Complete NSW Buyer’s Guide

A pre-auction offer in NSW lets you try to buy before auction day, but sellers usually ask you to waive cooling-off. Learn how it works and how to protect your…

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Automated Decisions and the Privacy Act | What Lenders Must Do by 10 December 2026

From 10 December 2026, lenders and credit providers must explain automated decisions in their privacy policy. Here is what the new Privacy Act rules require an…

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Section 32 Vendor Statements Explained | The Complete VIC Buyer’s Guide

A plain English guide to the section 32 vendor statement in Victoria: what it must include, when you should get it, your rights if it’s wrong, and the changes …

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Finance Conditions Explained | The Complete VIC Buyer’s Guide

A finance clause in Victoria gives you just 2 clear business days after the approval date to end the contract. Here are the four things every buyer should know…

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ASIC consults on new digital asset laws: what platforms need to know

ASIC has released CP 392 on implementing the new digital asset laws starting 8 April 2027. What digital asset platforms and tokenised custody platforms need to…

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Put and call options in NSW: the Gavancorp uncertainty is fixed

Put and call options in NSW explained: what went wrong in Gavancorp, how the 2025 amendments fixed it, and what developers and landowners should check in their…

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ASIC issues interim stop order against Fidante over DDO obligations concerns

ASIC has made an interim DDO stop order against Fidante Partners over the target market determination for the Ares Global Credit Income Fund. Here is what it m…

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Land Tax Explained | The Complete NSW Buyer’s Guide

NSW land tax is a yearly tax on land you own when its combined value is above the threshold. Learn the current thresholds, rates and exemptions, and what land …

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Cooling-Off Periods Explained | The Complete NSW Buyer’s Guide

How the NSW cooling-off period works: how long it lasts, the 0.25% cost of pulling out, when it doesn’t apply, and what a 66W certificate means for buyers….

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Converting Your Home to an Investment Property | The Complete NSW Guide

Thinking of renting out your home? Here is how converting it to an investment property in NSW affects stamp duty, capital gains tax, land tax and your home loa…

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Building and Pest Conditions Explained | The Complete Queensland Buyer’s Guide

A building and pest condition in Queensland lets you end the contract if, acting reasonably, you are not satisfied with the inspection reports. Here is how it …

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Requisitions on Title Explained | The Complete NSW Buyer’s Guide

Requisitions on title are formal questions a buyer asks the seller after exchange. Here is how they work in NSW, and why your own checks before exchange matter…

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‘Notice to Complete’ Explained | The Complete NSW Buyer’s Guide

A notice to complete gives the other party a final, essential deadline to settle. Here is how it works in NSW, when it is valid and what to do if you receive o…

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How to Make an Offer on a Property | The Complete NSW Buyer’s Guide

Thinking of making an offer on a property in NSW? Here is how to prepare, how offers work, when a sale becomes binding and how the cooling-off period can help….

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Joint Tenants vs Tenants in Common | The Complete NSW Buyer’s Guide

Joint tenants vs tenants in common: which should you choose when buying property in NSW? Learn how each works, what happens on death, and how to change later….

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Building Inspections | The Complete NSW Buyer’s Guide

A building inspection can save you from costly surprises when buying in NSW. Learn what it covers, what it misses, and why timing around cooling-off matters….

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Title Defects | Unauthorised building works, encroachments, and boundary issues | The Complete NSW Buyer’s Guide

Title defects such as unauthorised building works, encroachments and boundary issues can cost NSW buyers dearly. Learn how to spot them and what to do….

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What to look out for when buying a property with a swimming pool in NSW | The Complete Buyer’s Guide

Buying a property with a swimming pool in NSW? Learn which pool certificates must be in the contract, the 90-day rule for non-compliant pools, and costs to pla…

Careers

Independent Legal Advice for Guarantors | Oran Park

Need independent legal advice in Oran Park before you guarantee a loan? Learn your rights under the Banking Code, what to ask about construction loans and fami…

privacy policy

Independent Legal Advice for Guarantors | Gregory Hills

Independent legal advice for guarantors in Gregory Hills: the risks of home, business and SMSF loan guarantees, red flags to look for, and what happens if the …

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Gazumping Explained | The Complete NSW Buyer’s Guide

Gazumping in NSW happens when a seller accepts your offer, then sells to someone else before exchange. Learn your rights and how to protect yourself….

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Title Insurance Explained | The Complete Buyers’ Guide

Title insurance protects you against certain hidden title and property problems, like unapproved building works and boundary encroachments. Here is what it cov…

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Understanding Family Guarantees | The benefits, the risks, and the importance of legal and financial advice

A family guarantee can help your child buy a home sooner, but it puts your own property at risk. Learn how it works, your rights under the Banking Code and how…

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ASIC takes action against Swoosh for alleged responsible lending failures and DDO breaches

ASIC has started Federal Court proceedings against Swoosh Finance, alleging responsible lending failures and DDO breaches. Here is what the case is about and w…

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ASIC issues final stop order against Indy-C

ASIC made a final stop order preventing Indy-C from offering Centrepay credit arrangements at its Katherine store, after it failed to make a compliant target m…

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Buying Property at Auction in NSW | The Complete Buyer’s Guide

Buying property at auction in NSW? This guide explains how to register, the rules auctioneers must follow, why there is no cooling-off period, and how to prepa…

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Buying or Selling Property in NSW over Christmas and New Year | The Complete Guide

Buying or selling property over Christmas in NSW? Learn why the days between Christmas and New Year usually still count as business days, and how that affects …

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NSW Pre-Settlement Inspections | The Complete Buyers’ Guide

A pre-settlement inspection lets you check the property is in the same condition as at exchange. Learn your rights under the NSW contract, when to book, what t…

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Notice to all SMSF Lenders: The importance of complying with the SIS Act

SMSF lenders must make sure every loan complies with the SIS Act. Since 10 August 2026, new LRBAs can only fund business real property. Here’s what lenders nee…

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How can an SMSF borrow money to purchase real property?

Can an SMSF borrow to buy property? Only through a limited recourse borrowing arrangement, and since 10 August 2026 new LRBAs can only buy business real proper…

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Settlement day for sellers in NSW: what to expect

Selling a property in NSW? Learn what happens on settlement day, how electronic settlement works, what you need to do beforehand and how to avoid delays….

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Buyers’ Guide to Property Insurance in NSW: What Homebuyers Need to Know About Lender and Strata Requirements

Buying in NSW? Learn when your property insurance should start, what lenders usually require, and how insurance works for strata properties….

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Fixtures and chattels in NSW: what’s included when you sell a property?

Not sure what stays when a NSW property is sold? Learn the difference between fixtures and chattels, what the contract says and how to avoid disputes….

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How Deposit Bonds Benefit Home Buyers | The Complete Buyers’ Guide

A deposit bond lets you buy property without paying a cash deposit on exchange. Learn how deposit bonds work in NSW, when sellers accept them and the risks….

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ASIC seeking feedback on its proposed guidance for the new sustainability reporting regime

ASIC has released draft guidance on the new sustainability reporting regime and is seeking feedback through CP 380. Here is what the draft covers and who must …

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The OAIC releases its guidance on the use of tracking pixels

The OAIC has released guidance on how private sector organisations can meet their Privacy Act obligations when using third-party tracking pixels. Here are the …

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ASIC sues Oak Capital alleging unconscionable conduct designed to avoid the National Credit Code

ASIC has sued Oak Capital, alleging two non-bank lenders engaged in unconscionable conduct by structuring home-secured loans to avoid the National Credit Code….

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NSW first home buyer grants and assistance schemes

A plain English guide to the first home buyer grants and schemes open in NSW, including stamp duty relief, the $10,000 grant, the 5% Deposit Scheme and Help to…

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American Express ordered to pay $8 million penalty for failing to meet design and distribution obligations

The Federal Court has ordered American Express to pay an $8 million penalty for breaching its design and distribution obligations over its David Jones credit c…

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