Securing off-plan property
without using cash.

A deposit bond is a written guarantee from an insurer (QBE) promising to pay the vendor the deposit amount if the purchaser defaults at settlement. It is presented at exchange in place of cash, and lapses once settlement completes without issue.

Qualifying requirements for buyers when purchasing unregistered 'off the plan' properties settling in up to 66 months.

Applies to applicants who are purchasing a property off the plan where the title is not yet registered and settlement is more than 6 months away.

Buyers qualify based simply on the equity in their existing Australian held property.

No need for income verification or loan serviceability.

The net equity required in an existing property varies depending on the term of the deposit bond required and can be summarised below:

7 to 24 month deposit bond term – 3 x 10% of the purchase price in net equity.
25 to 36 month deposit bond term – 4 x 10% of the purchase price in net equity.
37 to 66 month deposit bond term – 5 x 10% of the purchase price in net equity.

Up to 20% of the net equity requirement can be supported by ASX shares including those held in superannuation.

Note: The above Qualifying Guidelines are to be used as a guide. Additional requirements may apply depending on individual buyer circumstances.

All Bond Street bonds are underwritten by QBE Insurance (Australia) Limited — an ASX-listed, APRA-regulated insurer with a strong investment-grade rating. Vendors and their solicitors widely accept QBE-backed bonds across Australia.

The fee is: Deposit Amount × (Months ÷ 3) × 0.75%. For a $100,000 bond over 12 months that's $3,000 — a fraction of the cash you'd otherwise need at exchange. Use our calculator for an instant estimate.

No. Deposit bonds are unsecured — there is no need to pledge property as collateral or pay a cash margin. Approval is based on your financial position and the details of your property transaction.

No. Australian property ownership is not a requirement. You will need to demonstrate capacity to complete the purchase at settlement — typically through a confirmed loan, equity in an existing asset, or confirmed sale proceeds.

Eligibility for non-residents is assessed case by case. Contact our team to discuss your situation — in many cases we are able to assist foreign buyers purchasing Australian property.

For standard residential purchases, most certificates are issued within 4–24 hours of a completed application. For urgent situations — such as an imminent auction — contact us directly and we will prioritise your application.

If you default on settlement, QBE pays the deposit amount to the vendor on your behalf, and Bond Street may then seek recovery from you. Deposit bonds are genuine guarantees — they facilitate exchange, not replace the obligation to settle.