Safety Bay Settlements

17/06/2026

Having Safety Bay Settlements review your contract before you sign is one of the most valuable things you can do in any property transaction - and it is something we offer to every client.

💡 Another set of eyes before you commit

The Offer and Acceptance is a legally binding document once both parties have signed. Having someone review it with you beforehand means you go into the process with complete clarity and confidence about what you have agreed to.

📋 What do we look at in a contract review?

🏠 For sellers. We check the conditions being proposed, what is listed as included in the sale, and whether the settlement timeframe works for your circumstances. Simple things picked up early make the whole process smoother.

📅 For buyers. We check that key dates are realistic, that conditions are clearly written, and that the contract reflects what you believe you have agreed to. This gives you a solid foundation to proceed with confidence.

🔗 Making sure everything lines up. If a buyer needs their sale and purchase to happen simultaneously, we check that the conditions in both contracts align so the whole process fits together properly.

Getting advice early means your transaction starts on the right foot - and tends to run more smoothly from there.

With 48 years of WA settlement experience and more than 20,000 settlements completed, we review contracts for buyers and sellers every single day - and we know exactly what to look for.

Whether you are buying, selling or transferring property, if you have an upcoming settlement, we are here to help.

Get in touch via the link in our bio or give us a call.

16/06/2026

Our team thank you for your appreciation!
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15/06/2026

If you have been following our recent posts about the new Anti-Money Laundering obligations coming into effect for settlement agents from 1 July 2026, you may have seen us mention AUSTRAC.

Here is a plain-English explanation of what it is and the role it plays.

💡 What is AUSTRAC?

AUSTRAC stands for the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre. It is Australia's financial intelligence agency - the government body responsible for detecting, disrupting and preventing financial crime, including money laundering and terrorism financing.

For many years, AUSTRAC's oversight applied primarily to banks, financial institutions and gambling operators. From 1 July 2026, that scope expands to include settlement agents, conveyancers, lawyers, accountants and real estate professionals.

📋 What does this mean for Safety Bay Settlements?

As a licensed WA settlement agent, Safety Bay Settlements is now formally enrolled with AUSTRAC and operates under a compliant AML/CTF program. In practical terms, this means we have systems in place to verify the identity of every client, understand the nature of each transaction, and identify and report any transactions that raise concerns.

These obligations sit firmly with us as the settlement agent - not with our clients. Our job is to manage this process smoothly so your settlement experience is not impacted.

🤝 What does this mean for you?

Very little changes day to day. You will go through our identity verification process as always through ScanTek, and our EasyAML platform manages compliance on our end. We may ask a small number of additional questions during onboarding and will always explain clearly why.

With 48 years of WA settlement experience and more than 20,000 settlements completed, we are fully prepared for these changes.

Whether you are buying, selling or transferring property, if you have an upcoming settlement, we are here to help.

Get in touch via the link in our bio or give us a call.

15/06/2026

12/06/2026

If you are purchasing property in Western Australia, transfer duty is one of the most significant costs you will encounter, and one that catches buyers off guard more often than you might expect.

Over the next few weeks we are running a Transfer Duty Series covering everything WA buyers need to know - from how duty is calculated, to concessions available, to the recent WA State Budget changes affecting first home buyers right now.

💡 What is transfer duty and why does it matter?

Transfer duty is a state government tax payable by the buyer on most property purchases in WA. It is a fixed obligation calculated on the purchase price - and it needs to be funded at settlement.

For most buyers it represents one of the largest upfront costs outside of the deposit. Understanding this early, and what concessions you may be entitled to, means you can plan your budget accurately from the start.

📋 What will we be covering?

✔️ WA State Budget changes to first home buyer transfer duty thresholds
✔️ Concessions available and how eligibility works
✔️ How duty applies across different scenarios - established homes, new builds, off-the-plan, investment properties and entity purchases
✔️ Foreign Buyers Duty

🔑 Why does your settlement agent matter?

Transfer duty is calculated and lodged by your settlement agent at settlement. Getting the right rate, the right concessions and correct documentation from the start is part of what we do for every client.

With 48 years of WA settlement experience and over 20,000 settlements completed, we manage this accurately for every transaction.

Get in touch via the link in our bio or give us a call.

📌 Note: Rates and thresholds are set by the WA State Government and subject to change. Confirm current details with your settlement agent or the WA State Revenue Office.

10/06/2026

This is one of the most common questions we get - and the answer is simpler than most people expect.

As early as possible.

💡 Why engage a settlement agent early?

Most people think you engage a settlement agent after you have signed a contract. And while we can absolutely help at that stage - engaging us before you sign is where you get the most value from the relationship.

📋 What can we do before you sign?

✔️ Review the contract before you commit. We can go through the Offer and Acceptance with you before you sign - checking the conditions, the dates, the inclusions and exclusions, and anything else that might affect you. This gives you complete clarity on what you are agreeing to before it becomes binding.

✔️ Answer your questions early. Having someone in your corner from the very beginning means you can ask questions as they come up - not after decisions have already been made.

✔️ Set your transaction up properly from the start. Engaging us early means your settlement is set up correctly from day one - with the right information, the right documentation and a clear picture of what to expect at every stage.

⏰ Already signed?

No problem at all - we can still help at any stage of a buying, selling or transferring property transaction. It is never too late to get the right support.

With 48 years of WA settlement experience and more than 20,000 settlements completed, Safety Bay Settlements is here to support you at every stage of your property journey.

Whether you are buying, selling or transferring property, if you have an upcoming settlement, we are here to help.

Get in touch via the link in our bio or give us a call.

09/06/2026

This is one of the most significant changes to the property settlement profession in Australia since identity verification was introduced - and it affects every single buyer and seller going through a settlement.

Here is what is happening and what it means for you.

📋 What is changing?

Australia has expanded its Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing laws, known as AML/CTF laws - to now formally include settlement agents, conveyancers, lawyers, accountants and real estate professionals for the first time.

From 1 July 2026, settlement agents are legally required to implement a formal compliance program that includes thorough checks on every client before acting for them.

Previously these laws only applied to banks and financial institutions. This is a landmark shift in Australian law - and one that Safety Bay Settlements has been preparing for well ahead of the commencement date.

💡 Why do these laws exist?

Money laundering through real estate is a significant problem in Australia. Property transactions involve large sums of money, and without proper checks, they can be used to disguise illegally obtained funds. These laws exist to protect the integrity of the property market - and legitimate buyers and sellers like you.

🛡️ What does this mean when you work with us?

We are now required to conduct Customer Due Diligence on every client - meaning we will ask for certain information and documentation before acting for you, regardless of how straightforward your transaction may appear.

This is a legal requirement - and one we take seriously for every client we work with. We will walk you through exactly what is needed and make the process as smooth as possible.

Get in touch via the link in our bio or give us a call.

14/05/2026

Stories like this are exactly why we do what we do. 💛

Mel came to us for the settlement of her recent investment property purchase - a transaction that carried a little more complexity, as it was being purchased through an entity.

For many clients, that added layer can feel daunting. Our job is to make sure it doesn't.

From the very first step through to settlement day, our team worked to keep everything clear, organised and moving - so Mel and her partner never had to chase, follow up or wonder what was happening next.

That level of proactive communication and coordination is something we take seriously, regardless of how straightforward or complex a transaction may be.

Buying an investment property through an entity involves specific requirements that need to be managed carefully and correctly.

Having an experienced settlement agent who understands those requirements and handles them without adding stress to your plate makes a significant difference.

We're so pleased the experience felt seamless, and we're grateful for the kind words.

With 48 years of WA settlement experience and more than 20,000 settlements completed, we're well-placed to support buyers across all types of transactions - whether straightforward or more involved.

If you're purchasing an investment property or buying through a trust, company or other entity structure, our team is here to help make the process smooth and stress-free.

Get in touch via the link in our bio or give us a call.