What Is A Mortgage Discharge?
A mortgage discharge is the legal process of removing a lender’s claim over a property once the home loan has been repaid, refinanced, or the property is sold. The lender registers the discharge with the state land titles office, which removes the mortgage from the property title.
When should I discharge my mortgage?
You should discharge your mortgage under these scenarios:
- Selling your property
- Refinancing with a new lender
- Paying your loan off in full
- Removing a guarantor
- Substitution of security
- Staying with the same lender (Internal refinance)
| Scenario | Discharged Required? | Details |
|---|---|---|
Selling property | Always required | Always required |
Refinancing to new lender | Always required | The new lender will coordinate with your current lender |
Paying the loan off in full | Required to clear title | It does not happen automatically. You have to request it. |
Removing guarantor | Partial discharge | It requires discharge and re-registration or refinance |
Substitution of security | Partial discharge | The old property is released and the mortgage is transferred to the new one |
Staying with the same lender (Internal refinance) | Could be waived | Could be waived |
When You May Not Need A Mortgage Discharge?
- You’re restructuring with the same lender. Ask whether the change qualifies as a loan variation, as this is simpler and faster than a full discharge.
- You’re on a fixed-rate loan and are considering refinancing. Get a written break cost estimate before submitting a discharge form. Break costs con sometimes exceed interest savings for 1 to 3 years.
- You have funds in a redraw facility. You can use those funds before closing the loan. Once the account is closed, access to redraw ceases.
Mortgage Discharge Forms & Process Of Major Banks
CBA Discharge Form
CBA processes mortgage discharges through its online portal, requiring your Netbank login.
You can visit CBA’s website to discharge your mortgage.
- CBA Discharge Fee: $350
- Processing Time: 10 to 21 days
- Tip: Have your loan account number, property address and Certificate of Title reference ready before starting the online form
- Contact: 13 22 21
Westpac Discharge Form
Westpac handles mortgage security releases through its online portal.
You can use Westpac’s online discharge form to start the process.
- Westpac Discharge Fee: $350
- Processing Time: 3 to 4 weeks
- Tip: If discharging a fixed rate loan early, request a written break cost estimate from Westpac before submitting the form.
- Contact: 1800 807 693
NAB Discharge Form
You can use NAB’s online portal to complete the discharge process.
- NAB Discharge Fee: $350
- Processing Time: 10 to 21 days
- Tip: You can use NAB’s Mortgage Discharge Checklist if you want to discharge your mortgage or guarantee.
- Contact: 13 22 65
ANZ Discharge Form
You can use ANZ’s online discharge and variation authority (DAVA) form when discharging your mortgage from ANZ.
- ANZ Discharge Fee: $160
- Processing Time: A minimum of 10 days to process your discharge
- Tip: Submit your discharge request at the same time as your new loan application to avoid settlement delays
- Contact: 1800 603 361
Mortgage Discharge Forms From Other Lenders
A
- Advantedge Discharge Form The PDF will download once you click the link
- Australian First Mortgage (AFM): Call 1300 889 743 to request a discharge form
- AIMS Home Loans: Call 1300 236 100 to request a discharge form
- AMP Bank:To complete a full discharge, please contact us on 02 8364 6758 or info@ampbanking.com.au.
B
- Bank of Queensland: Call 1300 557 272 to request a discharge form
- Bank of SA Discharge Form
- Bank of Melbourne Discharge Form
- Bluestone Discharge Form
- Better Mortgage Management (BMM): Call 1300 360 226 to request a discharge form
C
- Collins Securities: Call 1300 558 623 to request a discharge form
- Connective: Call 1300 931 016 to request a discharge form
- Great Southern Bank: Call 13 13 86 to request a discharge form
H
- Heritage Bank: Call 13 14 22 to request a discharge form
- Homeloans Ltd: Call 13 38 39 to request a discharge form
- Homeside Loans: Call 1300 130 932 to request a discharge form
- HSBC: Call 1300 308 008 to request a discharge form
I
- ING: Call 1300 308 008 to request a discharge form
K
L
- La Trobe Financial Discharge Form
- Liberty Financial: Call 13 11 33 to request a discharge form
M
- Macquarie Bank: Call 1800 007 722 to request a discharge form
- ME Bank: Call 1300 364 398 to request a discharge form
- MKM Capital: Call 1300 798 970 to request a discharge form
- Mortgage House: Call 1300 858 885 to request a discharge form
N
- Newcastle Permanent Building Society: Call 13 19 87 to request a discharge form
P
- Pepper Money: Call 137 377 to request a discharge form
R
- RedZed Discharge Form
- Resi Home Loans: Call either 1800 243 000 or 13 61 26 to request a discharge form
- Resimac: Call 1300 764 447 to request a discharge form
- RHG Mortgages: Call 13 24 24 to request a discharge form
S
- Suncorp: Call 13 11 55 to request a discharge form
Generic Discharge Form Template
Use this form if your lender doesn’t have their own discharge authority form.
How To Request A Mortgage Discharge (Step- By-Step)
Follow these six steps of the mortgage discharge process:
Step 1: Notify your lender
Contact your lender and let them know of your intention to discharge. Ask about their specific requirements such as the discharge fee and the expected timeline. If you’re on a fixed-rate loan, request a break cost estimate.
If you have a mortgage broker, they can handle this request for you.
Step 2: Complete the discharge authority form
Download or access the discharge authority form for your lender using the links or calling your lender. Complete all sections accurately, including: full legal names of all borrowers, home loan account number(s), property address and Certificate of Title reference, and bank details for any refund of excess funds.
Step 3: Submit the form
- If selling: give the signed form to your conveyancer at least four weeks before settlement.
- If refinancing with a broker: hand the form to your broker who will coordinate with both lenders.
- If refinancing without a broker: submit the form directly to your current lender at the same time as applying for your new loan.
Step 4: Confirm the payout figure
Your lender will calculate a final payout figure, which includes the remaining loan balance, accrued interest, and any applicable discharge fees.
Step 5: Lender processes the discharge
Your lender prepares the discharge documents and either lodges them electronically via PEXA or sends paper documents to your conveyancer for manual lodgement at the Land Titles Office.
Step 6: Settlement and title update
At settlement, the mortgage is removed from your property title. You will receive confirmation or an updated Certificate of Title, showing the lender has been removed.
Submit your discharge form early, as your lender has no incentive to rush.
The lender will continue to earn interest on your loan until the discharge is processed. The earlier you submit, the more control you have over the settlement timeline.
How Long Does A Mortgage Discharge Take?
A standard mortgage discharge in Australia takes 10 to 21 business days, assuming the paperwork is complete and there are no complications. Most major banks process standard variable rate discharges within 10–15 business days.
| Discharge Type | Typical Timeframe | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Major banks (variable rate) | 10–15 business days | Standard discharge via PEXA |
Non-bank lenders | 15–21 business days | Allow more time; manual lodgement still common |
Partial discharge | Up to 6 weeks | Valuation usually required; allow maximum time |
Fixed rate (early exit) | 15–21 business days | Delay possible while break costs are calculated |
Paper lodgement (non-PEXA) | Up to 25 business days | Some regional lenders still use manual processing |
How PEXA Has Made Discharging Faster
PEXA (Property Exchange Australia) is a digital platform allowing lenders to lodge discharge documents electronically with state Land Titles Offices.
PEXA became mandatory for eligible transactions in Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia and South Australia between 2018 and 2020, and Queensland followed in 2021.
It has reduced standard settlement timeframes from around 40 business days to approximately 20.
What Is A Partial Discharge?
A partial discharge is when you ask your lender to release one property from a home loan that is secured by multiple properties.
This usually happens when you sell one property while keeping the others attached to the same loan.
In simple terms, the lender agrees to remove one property from the loan security, but only if the remaining loan still meets their lending rules.
When Do You Need A Partial Discharge?
You may need a partial discharge when:
- You sell one property linked to a multi-property loan
- You want to separate securities tied to one mortgage
- You are restructuring your existing loan
- You want to keep one property while releasing another from the same loan
The most common reason is selling one of the properties used as security for the loan.
How Does A Partial Discharge Work?
When a lender approves a partial discharge, they check whether the remaining property still provides enough security for the loan.
In most cases, the lender will want you to maintain a similar Loan to Value Ratio (LVR) to the one you had when the loan was approved.
That means you may need to use some of the sale proceeds to reduce the loan balance before the lender agrees to release the property.
Partial Discharge Example
Let’s say you have:
- 2 properties worth $500,000 each
- 1 loan of $800,000
- Both properties are secured under that loan
The total property value is $1,000,000, so your LVR is 80%.
If you sell one of the properties, your lender may require you to reduce the loan so the remaining property still sits at 80% LVR.
In this case, the lender may ask for $400,000 from the sale proceeds at settlement. That would reduce the loan balance to $400,000, which keeps the remaining property at 80% of its $500,000 value.
What If The Remaining Property Has Increased In Value?
If the property you are keeping has gone up in value, the lender may allow you to keep a higher loan balance.
For example, if both properties were originally worth $500,000 but are now worth $600,000 each, the lender may revalue the remaining property.
If the remaining property is worth $600,000, then an 80% LVR would support a loan of $480,000.
That means the bank may only require you to reduce the loan to $480,000, instead of $400,000.
How Much Does It Cost To Discharge A Mortgage?
Discharging a mortgage in Australia typically costs between $300 and $700 in total, made up of your lender’s discharge fee plus a state government registration fee. The exact amount depends on your lender, loan type, and state.
Lender Discharge Fees
| Lender / Loan Type | Typical Discharge Fee |
|---|---|
ANZ (variable rate) | $160 |
NAB (variable rate) | $350 |
CBA (variable rate) | $350 |
Westpac (variable rate) | $350 |
St George / Bank of Melbourne / Bank of SA | $350 |
Other major banks and non-banks (variable) | $150 - $500 |
Fixed rate loans — discharge fee | $350 - $1,000+ |
Fixed rate loans — break costs (if exiting early) | Varies: $100 - $1000 |
Fees current as at early 2026. Always confirm the exact fee with your lender before submitting. Break costs for fixed rate loans are calculated individually based on remaining balance, remaining fixed term, and the difference between your fixed rate and current market rates.
State Government Registration Fees
In addition to your lender’s fee, each state and territory charges a registration fee to formally record the discharge at the Land Titles Office.
| State / Territory | Government Fee |
|---|---|
New South Wales | $175.70 |
Victoria | $125.70 for electronic lodgement and $135.80 for paper lodgement |
Queensland | ~$231.98 to $238.14 |
Western Australia | $216.60 |
South Australia | $198 |
Tasmania | $202.46 |
ACT | $178 |
Northern Territory | $176 |
Government fees are subject to change. Ask your conveyancer for the current fee at the time of your discharge.
Is It A Good Idea To Discharge Your Mortgage Early?
For most homeowners, discharging when selling or refinancing is simply a necessary step. However, if you are considering breaking a fixed rate loan to refinance, or closing a loan you have paid off, there are a few things to weigh up first.
- You are on a fixed rate and are exiting early, as the break costs could be significant. It’s best to get a written estimate from your lender before proceeding.
- You have substantial savings in your offset account. Closing the loan removes the access to your offset facility.
- Refinancing costs outweigh savings. You can use a refinance calculator to confirm if the switch can save you monkey after calculating discharge fees, establishment fees and even LMI fees.
Need Some Help?
Speak with one of our experienced mortgage brokers about your refinance needs by calling 1300 889 743 or by filling our free enquiry form.
Do you have any questions or are you confused?
Feel free to write them in the comment section below and we’ll get back to you right away.
Mortgage Discharge FAQs
What is a mortgage discharge?
A mortgage discharge is the legal process of removing your lender's registered interest from your property title. When your home loan is repaid, refinanced or the property is sold, a discharge of mortgage is lodged with your state Land Titles Office to formally release the lender's claim over the property.
Can I discharge a mortgage myself, or do I need a conveyancer?
How do I know if my mortgage has been discharged?
What information do I need to complete a mortgage discharge form?
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