Every piece of land in Queensland has a unique identifier — the lot and plan number. Whether you're ordering a title search, completing a property transfer, or doing due diligence on a purchase, you'll need this identifier. But for first-home buyers, interstate buyers, or anyone new to Queensland property, finding and interpreting a plan number isn't always straightforward.
Need the actual Queensland property record?
Use the guide to understand what to check, then order the title, plan or dealing that answers the question.
- Current Title / State Lease $74.50
- Image of Survey Plan (SP/RP) $85.90
- Image of Dealing Instrument $91.80
TitleFinder is an independent property-search provider. Not a government agency.
Order the right document
Which TitleFinder product matches this check?
Use the article as a reference, then order the actual record below when you need evidence for a purchase, conveyancing file, council check or due-diligence review.
Current Title / State Lease
Start here to confirm the current registered owner, title reference and registered interests.
$74.50 · Order this document
Image of Survey Plan (SP/RP)
Use this when the physical plan, lot boundaries, strata plan or access layout matters.
$85.90 · Order this document
Not sure which document fits? Start with the current title search, then add the plan or instrument if the title points to one.
Quick Answer
A plan number in Queensland identifies a parcel of land within the state's land registry. It consists of a Lot number (e.g., Lot 12) and a Plan type (e.g., RP 123456). You'll find this on your Contract of Sale, Rate Notice, or the current Certificate of Title. All plan types — RP (Registered Plan), SP (Survey Plan), BUP (Building Unit Plan), CPS (Compiled Plan Sheet) — are searchable through Queensland's land registry.
Understanding Plan Types in Queensland
Queensland uses several plan types, each with a different purpose:
RP (Registered Plan) — The most common plan type for residential properties. RPs are deposited plans that define lot boundaries, easements, and common areas. An RP may be lodged before 1994 (historical) or from 1994 onwards (current). Historical RPs may require an Image of Certificate of Title ($76.90) instead of a standard current title search.
SP (Survey Plan) — Used for community title schemes, staged developments, and strata subdivisions. If you're buying in a master-planned estate or a unit complex, the land will likely be on an SP rather than an RP. Survey Plans define the relationship between individual lots and common property.
BUP (Building Unit Plan) — Specifically for buildings that contain multiple lots (e.g., apartments, offices). BUPs show the physical extent of each lot within a building and are important for determining what is included in your ownership.
CP (Compiled Plan) / CPS (Compiled Plan Sheet) — Older plans that were compiled from earlier surveys rather than being directly surveyed. These can present boundary ambiguities and are less precise than modern plans. Compiled plans are more common in older areas of Brisbane and regional Queensland.
Where to Find Your Lot and Plan Number
The lot and plan number appears in multiple places:
- Contract of Sale — The vendor's solicitor or real estate agent will include it in the sale contract
- Rate Notice — Your council rates notice shows the lot and plan for the property
- Certificate of Title — The CT clearly states the lot and plan number (e.g., "Lot 12 on RP123456")
- Mortgage documents — Your lender's loan documents will reference the lot and plan
- Queensland Globe — The free online mapping tool at qldglobe.infrastructure.qld.gov.au allows you to search by address and retrieve the lot and plan
How to Read a Queensland Plan Number
A typical Queensland plan reference looks like this: Lot 12 on RP123456
- Lot 12 — The specific parcel identifier within the plan
- RP — Registered Plan (the plan type)
- 123456 — The plan's unique registration number
For community title schemes, you may see: Lot 12 on SP123456 (Survey Plan)
For older properties: Lot 12 on CP1234 (Compiled Plan)
Why Plan Numbers Matter for Title Searches
When you order a title search in Queensland, you're searching by lot and plan number — not by street address. The title registry doesn't accept address searches directly. This means you must:
- Confirm the lot and plan number from the contract or vendor disclosure
- Verify the plan type (RP, SP, BUP, CP) — this determines what documents you'll receive
- Check whether the plan is pre-1994 (may require different search products)
- Confirm the plan is still current (some historical plans have been superseded by re-subdivision)
Pre-1994 Plans and Historical Title Searches
If the property is on a plan lodged before 1994, the current title may not be fully electronic. In these cases, you may need to order:
- Image of Certificate of Title ($76.90) — provides a scanned copy of the historical CT
- Historical Title Search ($86.50) — traces ownership and registered dealings back through time
- Image of Survey Plan (SP/RP) ($85.90) — if the original plan needs to be retrieved from archives
Our Historical Title Search service covers titles with pre-1994 plan numbers and automatically selects the correct retrieval method based on the plan's age and registration status.
Common Mistakes When Using Plan Numbers
- Confusing lot number with unit/lot number — In community title schemes, the plan number and lot number both contain "Lot" in their description. Make sure you're noting the plan type, not just the lot number.
- Using the wrong plan type in searches — Ordering a current title search when an image of the historical CT is needed (for pre-1994 plans) will return an incomplete result.
- Not verifying the plan is still current — If the land has been re-subdivided, the old plan may be archived. A title search on a superseded plan will fail or return inaccurate results.
- Skipping the survey plan image — The title search confirms encumbrances but doesn't show you the actual lot boundaries. You need the survey plan for that.
Key Takeaways
- Every Queensland property has a lot and plan number — this is your key identifier for title searches
- Common plan types: RP (Registered Plan), SP (Survey Plan), BUP (Building Unit Plan), CP (Compiled Plan)
- Find your plan number on the Contract of Sale, Rate Notice, or existing Certificate of Title
- Pre-1994 plans may require special search products (Image of Title, Historical Title)
- Always cross-reference the plan number with the contract — a discrepancy here can delay settlement
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I search by address instead of lot and plan number? The Queensland land registry accepts lot and plan as the primary search identifier. However, our system can help you locate the correct lot and plan from an address. Alternatively, use Queensland Globe (free) to look up an address and retrieve the lot and plan.
What's the difference between an RP and an SP? RP (Registered Plan) is the standard plan type for most residential lots. SP (Survey Plan) is used for community title schemes, staged developments, and strata subdivisions where there is common property shared between multiple owners.
Why would I need a pre-1994 plan search? Properties on plans lodged before the electronic Titles Register began in 1994 may have incomplete electronic records. A Historical Title Search ($86.50) retrieves the full chain of title and registered dealings for these older properties.
What if my plan number isn't found in the current system? This can happen if the plan has been superseded by a re-subdivision or if there's a digit error in the plan number. Contact our support team — we cross-check against archived plan records to find the correct reference.
Ready to Search Your Queensland Property Title?
Know your lot and plan number? You can order a Current Title Search ($74.50) instantly. Not sure of your plan number? Contact TitleFinder and we'll help you locate the correct reference before you order.