FirstPath Convey

Love the location? Check the risks

Flood and fire exposure, planning overlays and title restrictions deserve attention before you commit to a property—not just after settlement.

Check the relevant council and authority information, ask about restrictions on your intended use and obtain an insurance quote. A beautiful open home does not answer every due-diligence question.

FirstPath Convey can review your Section 32 and contract, explain the documents and identify questions for further investigation. Specialist inspections, planning and insurance advice may also be needed.

Call 1300 374 034
WhatsApp 0425 424 400
https://firstpathconvey.com.au

General information for Victoria; current at 12 September 2026. Your circumstances and current rules matter.
Source: https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/housing/buying-and-selling-property/checklists/due-diligence

Buying a rental? Plan for 2027

Victoria’s new minimum energy efficiency standards for rental homes begin in phases from 1 March 2027. They cover heating, cooling, hot water, shower heads, ceiling insulation and draughtproofing, with different triggers, dates and possible exemptions.

Before buying, ask your property manager and qualified trades about the property’s condition and likely upgrade requirements. Build those questions into your due diligence.

FirstPath Convey can review the purchase documents and tenancy-related contract terms so you understand what you are buying.

Call 1300 374 034
WhatsApp 0425 424 400
https://firstpathconvey.com.au

General information for Victoria; current at 12 September 2026. Your circumstances and current rules matter.
Source: https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/resources-and-tools/legislation/public-consultations-and-reviews/new-minimum-energy-efficiency-standards

Vacant land: check the 2026 tax changes

Vacant residential land tax coverage changed in Victoria from 1 January 2026. Some residential land in metropolitan Melbourne that has remained undeveloped for at least five years may be affected. Other rules can apply to long-running construction, renovation or uninhabitable homes.

Location, history and exemptions matter. If you are buying or selling vacant land, ask what needs checking rather than assuming the tax cannot apply.

FirstPath Convey can flag transaction-related issues and help coordinate the property documents. Speak with your tax adviser about your ongoing liability.

Call 1300 374 034
WhatsApp 0425 424 400
https://firstpathconvey.com.au

General information for Victoria; current at 12 September 2026. Your circumstances and current rules matter.
Source: https://www.sro.vic.gov.au/about-us/videos/how-vacant-residential-land-tax-changing-1-january-2026

Buying an apartment? Read beyond the price

An apartment purchase also brings shared building responsibilities. Review owners corporation fees, meeting records, planned works and rules before committing.

Consumer Affairs Victoria advises that older Section 32 documents may need a fresh owners corporation certificate or inspection of the current records. Yesterday’s paperwork may not tell the whole story today.

FirstPath Convey can review your contract and owners corporation documents and raise questions that need answers. Arrange a separate building inspection where appropriate.

Call 1300 374 034
WhatsApp 0425 424 400
https://firstpathconvey.com.au

General information for Victoria; current at 12 September 2026. Your circumstances and current rules matter.
Source: https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/housing/owners-corporations/finance-insurance-and-record-keeping/records

Property titles are going digital

All new Victorian certificates of title issued from 3 August 2024 are electronic. Existing paper certificates remain valid until they are needed for a land transaction—keep your original safe.

Digital records still require careful preparation. Ask who controls the title and what identity and authorisation documents your conveyancer needs.

FirstPath Convey can guide you through the title transfer and settlement process, with clear explanations of the next steps.

Call 1300 374 034
WhatsApp 0425 424 400
https://firstpathconvey.com.au

General information for Victoria; current at 12 September 2026. Your circumstances and current rules matter.
Source: https://www.land.vic.gov.au/land-registration/customer-information-bulletins/2024/229

First home, clearer costs

Planning your first Victorian home purchase? Check your duty eligibility before setting your budget.

Eligible first-home buyers may pay no duty on a dutiable value up to $600,000, with a concession available from $600,001 to $750,000. Residency and other conditions apply. These thresholds refer to dutiable value, which is not always simply the advertised price.

FirstPath Convey can help you understand the contract, eligibility documents and settlement costs so you know what to prepare.

Call 1300 374 034
WhatsApp 0425 424 400
https://firstpathconvey.com.au

General information for Victoria; current at 12 September 2026. Your circumstances and current rules matter.
Source: https://www.sro.vic.gov.au/buying-property/land-transfer-stamp-duty/concessions-exemptions-and-waivers/first-home-buyers/first-home-buyer-duty-exemption-or-concession

Off-the-plan purchase? Check the duty position

Victoria’s temporary off-the-plan duty concession covers eligible strata dwellings with common property for contracts signed from 21 October 2024 and before 21 April 2027, under the current SRO guidance.

It can reduce dutiable value by deducting eligible construction costs incurred on or after the contract date. The contract date matters—not the settlement date. Conditions apply; not every house-and-land package qualifies.

FirstPath Convey can review the contract, check the property structure and explain the duty paperwork before you commit.

Call 1300 374 034
WhatsApp 0425 424 400: https://wa.me/61425424400
https://firstpathconvey.com.au

General information for Victoria; current at 12 September 2026. Your circumstances and current rules matter.
Source: https://www.sro.vic.gov.au/buying-property/land-transfer-stamp-duty/concessions-exemptions-and-waivers/plan-duty-concession-0/strata-apartments-and-townhouses-temporary-concession

Selling? Organise your ATO clearance certificate

For property contracts entered into from 1 January 2025, the foreign resident capital gains withholding rate is 15% and the property-value threshold has been removed. Australian resident sellers generally need to give the buyer a valid ATO clearance certificate before settlement to avoid withholding.

Do not leave this to the final week. FirstPath Convey can help coordinate the sale documents and identify when clearance paperwork is needed. Tax residency or variation questions may require your tax adviser.

Call 1300 374 034
WhatsApp 0425 424 400
https://firstpathconvey.com.au

General information for Victoria; current at 12 September 2026. Your circumstances and current rules matter.
Source: https://www.ato.gov.au/forms-and-instructions/capital-gains-withholding-clearance-certificate-for-australian-residents-online-application

Before you pay, verify first

A convincing email can still contain a scammer’s bank details. Payment redirection scams can target property buyers and sellers.

Before transferring a deposit or settlement funds, call your conveyancer using a number you already trust and confirm the details verbally. Do not rely on the phone number in an unexpected payment email.

FirstPath Convey can help you confirm your settlement instructions. If something looks different or urgent, pause and call.

Call 1300 374 034
WhatsApp 0425 424 400
https://firstpathconvey.com.au

General information for Victoria; current at 12 September 2026. Your circumstances and current rules matter.
Source: https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/about-us/news-and-alerts/payment-redirection-scams-cost-australian-businesses-14-million

Since 1 July 2026, AML/CTF obligations apply to certain services provided by conveyancers. You may be asked for more information about your identity, ownership arrangements and, where relevant, the source of funds.

Start gathering documents early and ask how to provide them securely. FirstPath Convey can explain the documents needed for your transaction and help you prepare for settlement.

Call 1300 374 034
WhatsApp 0425 424 400
https://firstpathconvey.com.au

General information for Victoria; current at 12 September 2026. Your circumstances and current rules matter.
Source: https://www.austrac.gov.au/industry-and-business/your-industry/conveyancers