Queensland survey plans: SP, RP and how to get a copy

Queensland land is described by lot and plan, such as Lot 1 on SP287744. The plan prefix tells you the type:

• SP (survey plan): the current plan type for new lots, including community titles schemes.
• RP (registered plan): an older plan type, common in established suburbs.
• BUP (building units plan) and GTP (group titles plan): older unit and townhouse schemes.

No, and this trips people up. A registered survey plan shows the legal boundaries, dimensions, areas and easements of the lots it created. It doesn't show contours, levels, trees or the house. A contour and detail survey of the site is a separate job you pay a surveyor for, usually before designing a house or extension.

Within survey plans, a standard format plan defines lots by survey marks on the ground, a building format plan defines unit lots by the building's walls, floors and ceilings, and a volumetric format plan defines lots in three dimensions. The Northern Territory also calls its registered plans survey plans.

A Queensland Current Title Search has an 8-digit title reference, such as 51141198, which is different from the lot and plan. The Estate and Land section names the plan (for example, LOT 1 SURVEY PLAN 287744) and the local government area.

Under Easements, Encumbrances and Interests, the title lists each registered easement with its dealing number and whether it burdens or benefits your land. Where the easement runs is shown on the survey plan or a separate easement plan. The free Queensland Globe map also shows the lot and plan for an address.

Buy it from Titles Queensland, which sells to the public online, by phone and by post. A plan image is A$27.56 in 2026-27 (A$22.89 through approved distributors). The registered easement document, if you need its terms, is A$50.16 as an instrument image. Unit schemes may also have a community management statement setting out lot entitlements and by-laws.

Title Registry doesn't sell plans yet. At launch we sell the Queensland title search (A$79): the official PDF, emailed usually within minutes after we confirm the lot, plan and title reference with you. For now it's the PDF only: the plain-English summary is coming to Queensland, and the Full Report isn't available here yet. If you only need the title, Titles Queensland's own fee is A$25.71.

• Building: easements shown on the plan generally can't be built over without consent. Your council or certifier will check them.
• Buying: confirm the lot's area and frontage, and look for easements across the yard or driveway.
• Units and townhouses: on a building format plan, check what's part of your lot and what's common property.
• Boundaries: the plan gives the legal dimensions. A cadastral surveyor can mark them on the ground, and fences aren't always on the line.