NSW Contract for Sale of Land 2026: Five key updates property lawyers must know before 1 June
The NSW Contract for Sale of Land has been updated for the first time since 2022, and from 1 June 2026, the new edition is not optional.
The NSW Contract for Sale of Land has been updated for the first time since 2022, and from 1 June 2026, the new edition is not optional.
The Local Land Services: Stock Diseases and Chemical Residues Certificate is a critical biosecurity search for rural property purchases. It confirms if a property is subject to livestock disease notices, quarantine orders, or chemical residue restrictions (like pesticide contamination). For buyers in growing rural hubs, it is the only way to ensure land is safe for livestock and free from legal “adverse affectations” before settlement.
Australia’s Tranche 2 AML/CTF reforms mark one of the most significant regulatory shifts to impact the property sector in decades. From 1 July 2026, lawyers and conveyancers will formally step into the role of “gatekeepers” within the financial system, with new obligations designed to detect and deter financial crime.
There is a lot of noise in the AI market right now.
Every week, there seems to be a new tool, a new announcement, or a new claim that everything is about to change overnight. I work in this space every day, and even I think it can be hard to separate what is genuinely useful from what is just well-packaged hype.
As most family lawyers know, when separating parties cannot agree on the value of an asset, which is often real estate, an expert valuation is required from an independent valuer. This is not the same as an appraisal from a real estate agent. A formal valuation is far more in depth and completed by a registered valuer with specific experience in giving evidence under the Family Law Rules 2021.
When the Family Law Amendment Act 2024 came into effect on 10 June 2025, it marked one of the most significant overhauls of Australia’s family law system. At its core is a clear recognition of the impact of family violence on not just one’s body and emotions, but their finances as well, and family lawyers need to respond accordingly.
00:00 1X There’s a quote I keep coming back to: “The future is already here, it’s just unevenly distributed.” I can’t think of a better