Digital Transformation of South Australia’s $288 Billion Property Market

4 July 2016

A digital system for property settlements that allows greater transparency, tighter security and cost savings will be available in South Australia from today.

Electronic conveyancing (e-conveyancing) – the exchanging of property online – will
remove the geographical barriers from property transactions and allow home buyers and
sellers to track their transaction in real time with the SettleMe mobile application.

The world’s first online conveyancing platform PEXA (Property Exchange Australia) has
been rolled out in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and WA following a Council of Australian
Governments (COAG) agenda item.

Vendors and buyers will see considerably-shorter settlement timeframes and there will
also be a reduction in delays and failed paper settlements.

The Registrar-General of South Australia, Brenton Pike, said electronic conveyancing will
provide conveyancers, financial institutions, and the Government’s Land Registry with
enhanced efficiency and security.

“The current reform agenda represents the most comprehensive change in the 150 years
since the establishment of the Torrens Titling System in South Australia,” he said.
“Property transactions are one of the last major financial dealings to be disrupted by
technology.

“Lawyers, conveyancers and financial institutions will have the opportunity to seamlessly
collaborate online with all parties involved in the transfer of property.

“All parties in an electronic transfer will enjoy the added benefit of automatic lodgement of
documentation to the land registry, electronic exchange of loan funds and seamless
payment of stamp duty and third party beneficiaries.

“I see many benefits to the wider market and look forward to continued collaboration with
industry to ensure that e-conveyancing and PEXA deliver value to their businesses and
clients alike.”

Australian Institute of Conveyancers South Australia President, Tim O’Halloran, said the
changes means vendors could receive the proceeds from their sale within hours of it going
through.

“This is a very exciting time for property professionals, especially conveyancers,” he said.

“These are the most consumer-centric developments within the industry since Robert
Torrens established the Torrens Title system in 1858.
“Lodgement is almost instant and the vendor can claim the proceeds of sale within hours
as opposed to days.”

Real Estate Institute of South Australia Chief Executive, Greg Troughton, said econveyancing
will give greater protections to consumers.

“E-conveyancing will open up a brave new world for agents and consumers, and end the
reliance on snail mail,” he said.

“People will be able to look at contracts in the comfort of their own homes and most
importantly it will give more protections to buyers and vendors.

“The biggest protection is for the real estate consumer and I have no doubt that real estate
agents will get behind it.”

For more information visit www.sa.gov.au/landservices.