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What is a dealing on a property title?

A dealing is a document lodged with the land registry that creates, changes or ends an interest in land, such as a transfer, mortgage, discharge, caveat, lease or easement. Each one gets a dealing number, which is how the title refers to it.

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What counts as a dealing?

Registries also use the word instrument for the document itself. In practice the two words mean much the same thing.

  • Transfer: a sale or gift of the land to a new owner.
  • Mortgage and discharge of mortgage: a loan secured on the land, and its removal when the loan is paid off.
  • Caveat and withdrawal of caveat: see caveats.
  • Lease: a registered lease, usually long-term or commercial.
  • Easements and covenants created by their own document rather than with a plan.
  • Documents after a death, such as an application by a surviving joint owner or by the executor.
  • Change of name, for example after marriage.

How do dealing numbers appear on a title?

The title quotes the dealing number beside each entry. The owners' entry usually carries the number of the transfer that made them owners, and each mortgage, caveat or easement carries its own.

Formats differ. NSW numbers are letters followed by digits, such as AB123456. Queensland uses 9-digit numbers, such as 700302051. A WA title shows the document number and registration date of the last document affecting ownership, and SA titles list a schedule of dealings.

What are unregistered or pending dealings?

A dealing that has been lodged but not yet registered shows as pending. It's the main sign that something is happening on a title, such as a sale settling, a refinance or a new caveat. Each state shows it differently:

  • NSW: Notations, including unregistered dealings.
  • VIC: Activity in the last 125 days.
  • QLD: Unregistered dealings.
  • WA: Subject to Dealing.
  • SA: Dealings affecting title, and priority notices, which reserve the title for an upcoming sale or mortgage.
  • TAS: Unregistered dealings and notations.

How do I get a copy of a dealing?

Order it by its number from the registry or an information broker. Registry fees for 2026-27: NSW A$18.70 (broker or counter), VIC A$5.90 per instrument on the LANDATA website, QLD A$50.16, WA A$33.90, SA A$13.50, TAS A$39.20, ACT A$24, NT about A$29 online. In Queensland, a dealing statement (A$4.20) gives the status of a dealing without the document.

Title Registry doesn't sell copies of dealings yet. At launch we sell the title search, which lists every current dealing with its number, and the Title + Full Report, which explains each one beside its original text and flags pending dealings (not available for WA, or for Queensland yet).

See the dealings on a title

Which dealings matter for what you're doing?

Common questions

What is a dealing number?

The registry's reference for a registered document, such as a transfer or mortgage. You use it to order a copy.

What does unregistered dealing mean?

A document has been lodged with the registry but not yet registered, for example a sale or discharge still being processed.

What is a dealing search?

Ordering a copy of a registered document by its dealing number, from the registry or an information broker.

What does Subject to Dealing mean on a WA title?

Landgate shows it when there are active dealings on the title, such as a lodged transfer or mortgage not yet registered.

Is a dealing the same as an instrument?

Near enough. The instrument is the document; registries often call it a dealing once it's lodged.

Does Title Registry sell copies of dealings?

Not yet. Our title search lists every current dealing and its number. Order copies from the registry or a broker for now.