Quick Answer
A title search for a first home buyer in Western Australia confirms who owns the property, what encumbrances exist, and whether the title type matches your expectations. Order a Current Title / State Lease search through TitleFinder for $74.50 AUD as soon as you have a signed offer, and supplement it with plan searches, instrument searches, or dealings if the title references them.
Why Title Searches Matter for First Home Buyers in WA
Western Australia's land system includes title types and encumbrances that don't appear in other states. Mining interests, survey-strata subdivisions, and green title restrictions all sit on the official property records. Missing any of these can delay settlement or create ongoing obligations you didn't budget for. A proper title search is the core of first home buyer due diligence.
Key Property Title Documents in Western Australia
When you order a title search, you're looking at the register entry for the property. Here's what each document covers:
Current Title / State Lease
This is the starting point. It shows the registered proprietor, any mortgages, covenants, easements, caveats, and interests noted on the title. It also tells you whether the property is freehold (green title) or a strata or survey-strata lot. A Current Title / State Lease search through TitleFinder costs $74.50 AUD.
Plan / Diagram Search
If the title references a plan number or deposited plan, order the plan to see lot boundaries, dimensions, easement locations, and any noted restrictions. This is essential for survey-strata properties and rural titles where boundaries may not align with fences.
Instrument / Dealing Search
Instruments are the registered documents that created encumbrances on the title—a mortgage, a covenant, a caveat, a profit à prendre. If the title lists an instrument number, order it to read the full terms. Caveats, in particular, can signal unresolved ownership disputes or unregistered interests.
Timing: When to Order Your Title Searches
- Before making an offer: Order a Current Title / State Lease search to confirm ownership, check for caveats, and verify the title type. This prevents wasted conveyancing fees on a property with deal-breaking encumbrances.
- After your offer is accepted: Order plan searches and any instrument searches the title references. Your conveyancer will need these before settlement.
- Before settlement: Re-check the title for new caveats or dealings registered between offer acceptance and settlement. A final check prevents last-minute surprises.
WA-Specific Title Risks to Check
Green Title (Freehold)
A green title means the lot is freehold with no shared land. However, green titles can still carry easements for services, rights-of-way, or restrictive covenants. Read the encumbrances section carefully. A green title with a drainage easement running through the building envelope limits what you can build or extend.
Survey-Strata Titles
Survey-strata lots share common property—driveways, drainage, or retaining walls—governed by a strata company. Check the survey-strata plan for your lot's common property interest and any by-laws. Compare survey-strata against green title to understand your ongoing obligations and strata fees.
Mining Interests
Western Australia's mining legislation means the crown can reserve rights to minerals under your land. A profit à prendre or mining lease noted on the title gives a third party the right to access and extract minerals. Even if no mining interest appears on the title, check for crown reservations in the original grant. Rural and semi-rural properties near resource areas carry the highest risk.
Caveats
A caveat is a statutory injunction preventing dealings with the title until the caveat is withdrawn or lapses. If a caveat appears on your title search, order the caveat instrument to see who lodged it and what interest they claim. Common sources include unregistered mortgagees, beneficiaries under wills, or contractors seeking payment.
Rural Titles
Rural properties in WA often have older titles with legacy encumbrances—water rights, stock routes, or easements for infrastructure. Boundaries may not match fences. Always order the deposited plan and compare it against a site inspection. Rural titles may also reference mining reservations and native title considerations.
Comparison: Title Types and What They Mean for Buyers
| Title Type | Common Property | Key Risk to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Green (Freehold) | None | Easements, covenants, mining reservations |
| Survey-Strata | Shared (driveways, services) | Strata fees, by-laws, building envelopes |
| Built Strata | Shared (walls, roofs, common areas) | Strata levies, insurance obligations, by-laws |
| State Lease (Crown Land) | Varies | Lease conditions, rent reviews, renewal terms |
First Home Buyer Title Search Checklist
- Order a Current Title / State Lease search through TitleFinder ($74.50 AUD) for every property you're seriously considering.
- Confirm the registered proprietor matches the seller's name on the contract.
- Identify the title type (green, survey-strata, built strata, state lease).
- List all encumbrances: mortgages, easements, covenants, caveats, and interests.
- Order plan searches for any plan numbers referenced on the title.
- Order instrument searches for caveats, restrictive covenants, or profit à prendre entries.
- Check for mining interests or crown reservations, especially on rural or semi-rural titles.
- Compare boundary dimensions on the plan against fences and structures on site.
- Re-run a title search close to settlement to catch any new dealings.
- Provide all documents to your conveyancer for review before settlement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a property with a caveat on the title?
You can, but a caveat blocks registration of any dealings—including the transfer to you. The caveat must be withdrawn or lapse before settlement can complete. Order the caveat instrument to understand the claim, and discuss removal options with your conveyancer before proceeding.
What's the difference between a green title and survey-strata?
A green title lot is freehold with no shared property. A survey-strata lot shares common property (driveways, drains) with other lots and has a strata company. Survey-strata lots usually incur strata fees and are subject to by-laws. Always check the survey-strata plan for your specific obligations.
Do I need a separate search for mining interests?
If the title references a mining lease or profit à prendre, order the instrument to read its terms. If no mining interest appears on the title but the property is in a resource region, ask your conveyancer to check crown reservations in the original grant. This step is standard first home buyer due diligence in WA.
Always verify title details with your conveyancer before committing to a purchase. This article is a guide, not legal advice.
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.