ConveyancingBuying a Home in Brisbane? Your 2025 Conveyancing Checklist Explained

Buying a home is an exciting milestone, but it comes with important legal and financial responsibilities. In 2025, the Albanese government’s re-election introduced new policies for home buyers. The First Home Guarantee now allows eligible buyers to purchase with just a 5% deposit. Buyers may also avoid lenders’ mortgage insurance. First-time buyers can access the $30,000 First Home Owner Grant in Queensland.

Additionally, $10 billion is being invested in new housing and infrastructure [Queensland Budget 2025–26]. These changes create opportunities, but buyers must carefully navigate contracts, disclosures, and settlement processes to avoid costly mistakes.

A.L.F. Lawyer’s experienced conveyancing lawyers in Brisbane are available to assist you in navigating these changes. In this blog, we provide a practical 2025 conveyancing checklist, highlight key legal updates, and show how to protect your investment every step of the way.

Why a Conveyancing Checklist Matters in 2025

Property law in Queensland has always been detailed, but the 2025 reforms bring in new disclosure obligations, simplified contract rules, and updated settlement processes. For home buyers, this means extra attention is needed at every stage.

Key updates include:

• • New disclosure obligations

Queensland sellers must now provide a standard disclosure statement with key documents before contracts are signed.

• • Expanded government schemes

First home buyers may access reduced deposit requirements, bigger grants, and guaranteed loans.

• • Housing supply initiatives

Federal funding is driving new developments across Brisbane to address affordability and demand.

A clear checklist ensures you stay on top of both legal requirements and financial opportunities.

Step 1 – Pre-Contract Considerations

Before signing, consider the legal and financial updates that directly impact buyers:

• • Legal advice

Always have contracts reviewed by qualified conveyancing lawyers Brisbane buyers rely on.

• • Disclosure compliance

From August 2025, Queensland sellers must meet strict disclosure obligations. Buyers may be able to terminate if the information is incomplete or misleading.

• • Finance pre-approval

Essential given the rising property prices and tighter lending criteria.

• • First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)

Queensland has doubled its FHOG to $30,000 (for eligible contracts signed until 30 June 2026). This can significantly reduce upfront costs for eligible first-time buyers.

• • Insurance

Risk transfers to the buyer at 5 pm on the next business day after the Contract Date – arrange cover immediately.

Must Read: Purchasing a New Home – Insurance is a Must-Have During Your Purchase

Step 2 – Contract Review and Key Dates

With reforms in place, managing contracts requires closer attention than ever.

Your conveyancing lawyers will:

• Check that contracts comply with the Property Law Act 2023.
• Confirm key dates for finance, building/pest inspections, settlement, and any other contract conditions.
• Ensure special conditions, such as subject-to-finance clauses, are clear and enforceable.

Missing deadlines could put deposits or even the purchase at risk.

Step 3 – Searches and Due Diligence

In Brisbane, searches remain one of the most important steps to avoid unexpected costs or legal disputes. At a minimum, these include:

• Title search – confirms legal ownership and checks for mortgages, easements, or caveats.
• Council rates and zoning – ensures no hidden liabilities or restrictions.
• Flood and environmental reports – essential given Brisbane’s flood-prone areas.
• Body corporate records – crucial for units or townhouses to check levies, disputes, and management issues.

Step 4 – Finance, Building, and Pest

Securing finance and inspections remain critical steps. In 2025, however, federal housing policies give first home buyers new opportunities:

• • First Home Guarantee

Only a 5% deposit may be required, with the government guaranteeing the remaining 15% (removing the need for lender’s mortgage insurance and saving thousands).

• • No income caps

As of January 2026, more buyers will qualify as income limits are removed.

• • Price cap in Brisbane

Properties must be under $1 million to qualify.

Alongside these schemes, buyers should:

• Provide lenders with documentation early.
• Engage licensed inspectors for building and pest checks.
• Discuss findings with their lawyer to understand contract rights if problems arise.

Step 5 – Preparing for Settlement

Settlement has been streamlined through electronic platforms like PEXA. Your conveyancing lawyers in Brisbane will:

• Confirm settlement amounts and adjustments.
• Liaise with banks, sellers, and settlement agents.
• Ensure compliance with both state legislation and scheme eligibility conditions.

Once the settlement is complete, the property is officially yours.

Step 6 – Post-Settlement Matters

After settlement, your responsibilities continue:

• Confirm title registration in your name.
• Update insurance to reflect ownership.
• Manage body corporate responsibilities if applicable.

2025 Housing Reforms Every Buyer Should Know

Beyond legal reforms, government policy is reshaping the property market:

• • $10 billion for housing supply

Targeting 100,000 new homes nationally, with Brisbane a key focus.

• • National Housing Accord

Aiming for 1.2 million new homes by 2029 [Budget 2025-26].

• • Infrastructure investment 

$101.8 million earmarked for Queensland infrastructure to support housing growth.

• • Non-resident buyer ban

Preventing foreign buyers from purchasing existing homes for two years to increase supply for Australians.

For Brisbane buyers, these changes could improve availability and affordability, but navigating the legal details requires professional support.

Related: Property Law Act Property Law Act 2023 (Qld): What Changes August 1, 2025 Mean For You

Why Should You Work With Experienced Conveyancing Lawyers in Brisbane?

Buying a home is exciting, but in Queensland, the principle of “buyer beware” means any hidden debts or issues tied to the property can easily become yours. This is why working with experienced conveyancing lawyers isn’t just helpful, it’s indispensable. At A.L.F. Lawyers, we don’t just process contracts; we protect you from costly surprises and guide you every step of the way.

Here’s how we help:

• Careful review of contracts, conditions, and deadlines
• Clear explanation of risks, from unpaid rates to body corporate fees
• Tailored advice on property searches that uncover hidden liabilities
• One dedicated lawyer managing your matter from start to finish

With us, you can focus on your new home while we handle the complexities.

Final Word

Even the simplest property purchase in Brisbane can come with hidden risks – unpaid rates, unapproved renovations, or undisclosed body corporate fees can quickly become your responsibility. Many buyers only discover these issues after settlement.  It leads to costly delays and stress.

That’s why having experienced conveyancing lawyers in Brisbane is critical. At A.L.F. Lawyers, we carefully review contracts, guide you through inspections and searches, and manage all legal and financial steps to protect your investment.

Meet A.L.F. Lawyers today for guidance and support from our trusted conveyancing lawyers in Brisbane.