Quick Answer
An interstate buyer ordering a property title search WA must verify ownership, encumbrances, and title type before committing. Western Australia titles carry local risks — green title distinctions, survey-strata boundaries, mining interests, caveats, and rural conditions — that differ from eastern states. A title search Western Australia through TitleFinder returns the current title for $74.50 AUD, giving you the baseline document for property due diligence WA.
Why Interstate Buyers Face Different Risks in WA
Buying property in Western Australia from another state means you may not understand local titling conventions or attend inspections easily. WA titles use terminology and structures that differ from registers in NSW, Victoria, and Queensland. Ordering your title search early lets your conveyancer identify problems before you are financially committed. Waiting until after contract signing limits your options.
This article is a general guide, not legal advice. Always consult your conveyancer for advice specific to your purchase.
WA Property Title Search Checklist
Work through each item when you receive your title search result:
- Confirm the registered proprietor matches the seller on the contract
- Identify the title type: green title, survey-strata, or strata
- Check for encumbrances — mortgages, caveats, restrictive covenants
- List every easement and confirm its purpose (drainage, access, services)
- Look for mining interests or Crown reservations noted on the title
- Review any notifications or special conditions that affect the lot
- Confirm the lot number and plan/survey details match the contract of sale
- Check for unregistered dealings or pending applications
- For rural titles, identify pastoral lease conditions, Crown restrictions, or native title notifications
WA Title Types and What They Mean for Buyers
Western Australia uses three main freehold title structures. Each carries different implications for what you own and what restrictions apply.
Green Title
A green title is the standard freehold title in WA. You own the lot outright with no strata scheme attached. However, green title does not mean the land is free of restrictions — easements, covenants, and mining reservations can still apply. An interstate buyer assuming green title means unrestricted land is a common and costly mistake.
Survey-Strata
A survey-strata title defines your lot within a survey-strata plan. You own a defined parcel, but common property areas — driveways, service easements — may exist alongside your lot. You need the survey-strata plan to understand where boundaries lie and what common property obligations apply.
Strata Title
Strata title involves ownership within a strata scheme. Common property is shared, and by-laws govern use and obligations. Strata levies, scheme restrictions, and building obligations affect what you can do with the property and what you must pay.
| Title Type | What You Own | Common Property | Key Risk for Interstate Buyers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green title | Entire defined lot | None | Easements and mining interests may not be obvious without a title search |
| Survey-strata | Defined lot within a survey-strata plan | Possible | Boundary and common property details only visible on the plan |
| Strata | Lot within a strata scheme | Shared | By-laws, levies, and scheme restrictions require the strata plan to assess |
WA-Specific Risks Interstate Buyers Often Miss
Mining Interests and Crown Reservations
WA titles frequently carry reservations relating to mining rights. The Crown may reserve rights over minerals even on suburban residential lots. A property title search WA will show any mining reservations or notifications on the register. If a mining interest appears, ask your conveyancer about the practical effect on your intended use of the land before proceeding.
Caveats
A caveat on a WA title means a third party claims an interest in the property. This could be a builder, financier, or former owner. Caveats can prevent transfer of title at settlement. Your title search will list the caveator and the nature of the claimed interest. Any caveat must be resolved or withdrawn before settlement can proceed. Do not assume a caveat is routine — read the details.
Rural Titles
Properties outside metropolitan WA may carry conditions tied to pastoral leases, Crown land reservations, or native title. Rural titles sometimes include restrictions on land use, requirements for ongoing obligations, or references to state lease conditions. If you are buying a rural property from interstate, order both the title and the relevant plan or Crown lease document to understand every condition that applies.
When to Order Additional Documents
A current title search gives you the register entry. Some questions need supporting documents to answer:
- Survey-strata or strata plan — order when the title is survey-strata or strata to see lot boundaries, common property areas, and by-laws
- Deposited plan — order for green title lots when you need to verify boundary dimensions or easement locations
- Copy of a dealing or instrument — order when the title references a specific mortgage, covenant, or easement you need to read in full
- Crown lease or state lease document — order when the title is a state lease, common for rural and some metropolitan properties
Order these additional documents through TitleFinder at the same time as your title search to avoid delays in your conveyancing timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I order a WA property title search from interstate?
Yes. You do not need to be in Western Australia to order a title search. TitleFinder provides online ordering with results delivered electronically, so you can complete property due diligence WA from any state or territory.
What does a Current Title / State Lease search cost?
Through TitleFinder, a Current Title / State Lease search for a WA property is $74.50 AUD. This returns the official current title record from official property records.
Do I need a title search if my conveyancer is ordering one?
Check with your conveyancer first. Some conveyancers include a title search in their service. If they do not, or if you want to review the title yourself before engaging a conveyancer, ordering directly through TitleFinder gives you the same document early in your decision process.
Order the right TitleFinder document
Use this guide as a reference, then order the actual record that answers your question:
- WA Title Search — $79.90
- WA Survey Search — $85.90
- WA Document Search — $91.80
If you are unsure, start with the current title search, then add the plan or instrument if the title points to one.
Need the title search? Use the TitleFinder product links above to order the current title, plan, instrument or state-specific property record you actually need.