The festive season is approaching, and in Queensland, property transactions can be affected by office closures, bank holidays, and government shutdowns. Buyers, sellers, and investors need to plan ahead to avoid delays. Here’s your 2025 Queensland property shutdown guide.
Key Shutdown Periods
- Government offices (Titles, Rates, Land Registry): Closed from 25 December 2025 to 1 January 2026.
- Financial institutions (banks, mortgage lenders): Reduced staff from late December; full services resume 2 January 2026.
- Property professionals (real estate agents, solicitors, conveyancers): Many take leave from 24 December 2025 to 5 January 2026.
Settlement Implications under REIQ Contracts
Under REIQ Contracts, the period 27 December 2025 to 1 January 2026 is treated as non-business days. This means:
- Any contractual obligations, including settlement deadlines or notice periods, falling during this time roll over to the first business day, which is 2 January 2026.
- Buyers and sellers must plan settlements accordingly to avoid unintended breaches or disputes.
Tip: Even if all documentation is ready, banks and registries may not process transactions until 2 January 2026.
Common Holiday Delays
- Funds transfer delays: Banks operate with limited staff.
- Title registration pause: Land Registry lodgements will be delayed.
- Conveyancing tasks slow down: Solicitors and agents may be unavailable for urgent approvals.
Solution: Schedule settlements before mid-December or plan for after 2 January 2026.
4. Off the Plan / Non-Standard Contracts
Of course, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day are public holidays. For off-the-plan transactions or non-standard contracts, the “shutdown period” may operate differently depending on the terms. It is important to review the contract carefully and allow additional time where necessary.
At A.L.F. Lawyers, we will continue to monitor all off-the-plan matters and ongoing transactions for our existing clients throughout this period.
What this means for you
If any key dates fall within the shutdown window — 25 December 2025 to 1 January 2026 inclusive — then settlement and contractual deadlines will automatically roll forward to Friday, 2 January 2026, being the next business day under the REIQ Contract.
A.L.F. Lawyers’ commitment
We understand that many firms close for extended periods over Christmas, often causing unnecessary stress and uncertainty for buyers and sellers. Our team continues to provide guidance and support over the break for active matters, ensuring clarity around deadlines and helping avoid contract issues arising from the holiday shutdown.
Five quick tips before the break
- Finalise contract signing and key documents well before 24 December to avoid unexpected delays.
- Ensure all searches, finance steps and council queries are ordered promptly. Many third-party providers reduce services or close entirely over the shutdown period.
- If you are signing in late November or early December and need to settle before Christmas, consider negotiating shorter timeframes. Anything less than 21 days is generally high-risk.
- Remember clause 6.2 of the standard REIQ Contract, which allows a party to extend a settlement-related date by up to five business days if needed. This can provide essential breathing room leading into Christmas.
- Understand how the shutdown period affects cooling-off rights, settlement preparation and other time-critical tasks before signing.
If you need tailored advice on how the 2025–2026 shutdown period affects your contract, the team at A.L.F. Lawyers is here to help.
Fun Fact
The cooling-off period does not pause over Christmas. If you sign a residential contract between 27 December and 31 December 2025, the cooling-off period will continue to run as normal because these dates are not statutory public holidays.
This means buyers could lose valuable cooling-off days while offices, banks and advisors are closed — so buyer beware and always get advice before signing during the shutdown period.
Key Takeaway
The Queensland property market doesn’t stop for Christmas, but settlements and contract deadlines are affected by non-business days under REIQ Contracts. Planning ahead ensures your transaction proceeds smoothly and avoids unnecessary stress.
Need Help With a 2025 QLD Property Settlement?
A.L.F. Lawyers specialise in Queensland property law. We can review contracts, manage settlement timelines, and ensure your transaction runs smoothly—even during the holiday shutdown.
Contact us today to protect your property purchase this festive season.
