Australia: Real Estate and Construction

Commercial construction contracts in Queensland operate under strict statutory payment timelines and procedural requirements that can make or break a project's financial flow. Understanding how to structure agreements, manage progress claims, handle variations, and respond to disputes within mandated deadlines is essential for contractors, subcontractors, and project managers navigating Queensland's construction law framework.

Construction disputes require immediate attention to contractual obligations and procedural requirements. Understanding notice provisions, dispute resolution mechanisms, and preservation of evidence can determine the success of your claim. Learn the critical first steps to protect your legal position when conflicts arise on construction projects.

Victoria's planning reforms introduce a provision that could fundamentally alter how permit decisions are made by allowing councils to specify which policy considerations are relevant to particular applications. This change challenges the longstanding National Trust principle that has limited decision-makers to considering only matters relevant to the purpose of specific planning controls. How will this hybrid approach to relevance reshape the balance between purposive interpretation and codified policy con

Selling property with tenants in place requires careful navigation of vacant possession requirements, termination notice periods, and GST implications. Understanding the legal framework for residential and commercial tenancies, including minimum notice periods under NSW legislation and lease registration requirements, DUPE

On 30 June 2026 the Supreme Court of New South Wales handed down its judgment in Forever Grateful Holdings Pty Ltd v Chief Commissioner of State Revenue [2026] NSWSC 761, which clarified the point in time at which the relevant facts are to be considered when determining a duty liability arising under the Duties Act 1997 (NSW) (Duties Act).

Yes, you must have a Contract for the sale and purchase of land (“Contract”) which can be prepared for you by a lawyer or licensed conveyancer and must, in the case of residential land, be prepared before your property...

From October 2026, all new and returning strata committee members in New South Wales will be required to complete mandatory online training within three months of their appointment...

Bankruptcy trustees play a crucial statutory role in managing insolvency cases, but their function extends beyond enforcement to collaborative assistance. Through a detailed case study, this article examines how an individual's reluctance to cooperate with trustees transformed a manageable $44,800 debt into a protracted three-year bankruptcy that ultimately cost him everything, including opportunities for annulment.

A New South Wales Court of Appeal decision examines whether an unpainted speed hump in a carpark constitutes an obvious risk when all other tripping hazards were marked with yellow paint. The case explores the duty to warn under section 5H of the Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW) and establishes important principles for occupiers regarding consistency in hazard marking.

Queensland's Retail Shop Leases Act 1994 provides specific protections for qualifying retail tenants, including mandatory pre-lease disclosure, regulated rent reviews, restricted charges, and compensation rights for landlord conduct that disrupts trading. Understanding which premises qualify for protection and what remedies the Act actually provides is essential before signing a lease or pursuing a dispute, as the statutory framework does not automatically reduce rent during hardship or prevent enforcement

Buying property with friends or family can make home ownership more achievable, but it also creates important legal and financial obligations. Before buying, consider whether to own the property as joint tenants or tenants in common, how each person will contribute to costs, what happens if someone wants to sell or can no longer make payments, and how each owner’s interest will be dealt with if they die or want to sell. A co-ownership agreement can document each owner’s rights and responsibilities and establish a process for managing changes or disputes.

A New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal case examines when an owners corporation can lawfully enter a lot without owner consent to repair common property under emergency provisions. The dispute centered on whether ongoing water leakage constituted an emergency justifying entry, and what damages flow from such access.