Legal framework in Australia
The Electronic Transactions Act 1999 confirms that signing and sending documents electronically is as valid as on paper. It doesn't require a specific method, as long as it identifies the signer, reflects their intent and is reliable. Each state has its own equivalent act.
Legal framework
Electronic Transactions Act 1999
How the legal framework evolved in Australia
1999
Electronic Transactions Act: the federal law recognizes electronic signatures; states replicate it.
2022
The Corporations Act reform makes electronic execution of company documents, including deeds, permanent.
2020s
States modernize remote witnessing and electronic signing of property documents.
Types of electronic signature in Australia
Electronic signature
The Electronic Transactions Act 1999 (federal) and its state equivalents recognize it with a simple test: signer identification, method reliability and consent — all documented by Firmiu's audit trail.
Corporate electronic execution (s. 110A)
Since 2022, the Corporations Act permanently allows directors to execute company documents electronically.
What makes a signature valid in Australia?
Some documents are excluded and are best signed on paper. For the rest, Firmiu backs each signature with IP, device, location and verification.
Which documents can you sign in Australia?
Can be signed electronically
- Commercial and service contracts
- Residential and commercial leases
- Offer letters and employment contracts
- Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs)
- Quotes and purchase orders
- Company documents (deeds and resolutions, since the 2022 reform)
Usually require a notary or handwritten signature
- Wills (with special procedures depending on the state)
- Enduring powers of attorney in several states
- Statutory declarations with in-person requirements (jurisdiction-dependent)
- Certain migration and court documents
These lists are indicative: the document type and applicable law determine each case.
How to sign documents in Australia
Upload your PDF
Upload the document and enter the name and email of the person who must sign.
The signer receives a link
They get an email with a unique link and a verification code.
Signed document
The PDF is signed with its audit trail, ready to download.
Frequently asked questions
- Are electronic signatures legal in Australia?
- Yes. The Electronic Transactions Act 1999 recognizes them federally and at state level.
- Do I need a specific method?
- No, as long as it identifies the signer, reflects their intent and is reliable.
- Do they work for commercial contracts?
- Yes, for most private agreements.
- Are electronic signatures valid in every Australian state?
- Yes. Each state has its own Electronic Transactions Act aligned with the federal one; exclusion details vary slightly by jurisdiction.
- Can companies execute deeds electronically?
- Yes. Since 2022, section 110A of the Corporations Act permanently allows electronic execution of company documents, including deeds.
- Can I sign a lease electronically?
- Yes. Residential and commercial leases are routinely signed electronically across the country.
- Does the ATO accept electronically signed documents?
- The ATO accepts e-signatures on numerous forms and declarations. For private contracts, validity doesn't depend on the ATO.
Official sources
The information on this page is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. The validity of an electronic signature depends on the applicable legislation and the document type; for specific cases, consult a legal professional.
Guide reviewed and updated: July 2026.
Electronic signatures by profession
Guides for the industries that sign the most documents in Australia.
Related guides
Are electronic signatures legal? What you need to know
Electronic signatures are legal across Latin America, Spain and the United States. Here's what makes them valid and where they're recognized.
Types of electronic signature: simple, advanced and qualified
Not all electronic signatures are the same. Here are the three levels and which one you need for each document.
What documents can you sign electronically
Electronic signatures work for far more documents than you'd think. Here are the most common ones and the exceptions.
Electronic signature in other countries
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