Online property transfers to become reality in SA

Under the PEXA system, which is scheduled to be rolled out in South Australia early next month, properties are exchanged via a secure platform, with final funds settling through the Reserve Bank. E-conveyancing removes the need to use cheques and attend settlements in person.

Powered by Property Exchange Australia, PEXA is supported by leading industry stakeholders, including the South Australian government, the Law Society of South Australia, and South Australia’s Australian Institute of Conveyancers.

South Australia follows NSW, Victoria, Western Australia and Queensland in implementing the network.

PEXA’s group executive of operations Mike Cameron said property transactions are one of the last major financial dealings to come into the digital era, bringing consumers a better experience.

“For the first time, conveyancers, lawyers, banks and land registries can now collaborate online over a full business day span rather than spending additional time travelling to the Grenfell Street settlement room at 11.30am to finalise transactions,” Mr Cameron said.

Registrar-General of South Australia Brenton Pike said the move towards electronic settlements was a significant industry change.

“Lawyers and conveyancers will soon have the opportunity to seamlessly collaborate online with all parties involved in the transfer of property,” Mr Pike said.

“All parties in an electronic transfer will enjoy the added benefit of automatic lodgement of documentation to the land registry, electronic exchange of loan funds and seamless payment of stamp duty and third-party beneficiaries.”

At the end of 2015, GlobalX Solutions became the first sponsor to integrate with PEXA, offering access to the PEXA platform through its software solutions.

“Lawyers and conveyancers will experience considerably shorter settlement time frames, and will enjoy cost savings, increased productivity and real time access to data,” GlobalX CEO Peter Maloney said.

“This, in turn, will dramatically improve the home buyer and seller’s experience.”

Practitioners in South Australia were initially scheduled to gain access to PEXA last month, but its release date was postponed to early July due to a legislative delay.

[Related: Australia’s first paperless property sale]