How to Create a Contract Online in Australia — Fast, Legal, and Signed
Creating a legal contract online in Australia used to mean paying a lawyer $300 an hour or wrestling with a generic template that may not even reflect Australian law. That's changed. You can now create, customise, and get a contract signed online in under 10 minutes — for a fraction of the cost.
This guide explains what makes a contract legally valid in Australia, which contracts you can create online, and how the process works with Signed Sorted.
Are Online Contracts Legally Binding in Australia?
Yes. A contract created and signed online is fully legally binding in Australia, provided it meets the standard requirements of a valid contract under Australian law:
- Offer — one party proposes clear terms
- Acceptance — the other party agrees to those terms
- Consideration — something of value is exchanged (money, services, etc.)
- Intention — both parties intend the agreement to be legally binding
- Capacity — both parties are adults of sound mind
Electronic signatures are explicitly recognised under the Electronic Transactions Act 1999 (Cth) and equivalent legislation in every state and territory. You don't need a wet ink signature, a witness, or a notary for most everyday contracts.
Some documents still require physical signatures or witnesses — including wills, powers of attorney, and some property transfers. For standard commercial and personal contracts, electronic signatures are fully valid.
What Contracts Can You Create Online in Australia?
Most everyday personal and small business contracts can be created and signed entirely online. Here are the most common types:
How to Create a Contract Online with Signed Sorted
Creating a legally binding contract online through Signed Sorted takes four steps:
- Describe your deal in plain EnglishTell us what you and the other party have agreed on. No legal jargon required — just describe the situation naturally. For example: "I'm doing a website for a client, $3,500 upfront, project takes 4 weeks, I keep the IP until full payment."
- AI drafts your contractOur AI generates a proper Australian-law contract based on your description. You can review every clause and edit any detail before sending.
- Invite the other party to signThey receive a secure link by email. They can review the contract, request changes if needed, and sign electronically — no account required.
- Both parties sign and receive the PDFOnce both parties have signed, a sealed PDF is generated and emailed to everyone. It's stored securely in your dashboard for future reference.
How long does it take? Most contracts are drafted, reviewed, and signed in under 10 minutes. The other party doesn't need an account — they just click the link in their email and sign.
Online Contract vs. Free Template — What's the Difference?
Free contract templates are everywhere online, but they come with real risks:
- Most are written for US or UK law — not Australia
- They're generic forms that don't reflect your specific situation
- Getting both parties to physically sign and exchange documents is slow and awkward
- No audit trail — it's hard to prove who agreed to what and when
When you create a contract online through Signed Sorted, the agreement is tailored to your situation, references the correct Australian legislation, and includes a full audit trail — timestamp, IP address, and confirmation of consent from both parties.
How Much Does It Cost to Create a Contract Online in Australia?
Through Signed Sorted, a single legally binding contract — drafted, reviewed, e-signed by both parties, and delivered as a PDF — costs from $3.99. There's no subscription required for one-off documents.
Compare that to the alternative: a lawyer charges anywhere from $300 to $1,500+ to draft a standard agreement, plus time spent going back and forth. For everyday agreements between private individuals and small businesses, online contracts offer the same legal protection at a fraction of the price.
Is It Safe to Sign a Contract Online?
Yes. Signed Sorted uses bank-level encryption to protect your documents and personal information. Electronic signatures created through the platform are legally valid and include a tamper-evident seal — any attempt to modify the document after signing is detectable.
The signed PDF you receive is the official record of the agreement. Both parties have a copy. The document is stored securely for 12 months (or indefinitely on subscription plans).
Create Your Contract Online
Describe your deal in plain English. Get a tailored, legally binding Australian contract drafted, signed by both parties, and delivered as a PDF — in under 10 minutes. From $3.99.
Create a Contract Online →Frequently Asked Questions
Does the other party need to create an account to sign?
No. They receive a secure link by email, review the contract, and sign electronically — all without signing up or paying for anything. Only the person creating the contract needs an account.
Can I create a contract for any Australian state?
Yes. Signed Sorted generates contracts that reference the correct legislation for your state — VIC, NSW, QLD, WA, SA, TAS, ACT, or NT. You specify your state during setup.
What if the other party wants to change something?
Before signing, the other party can request changes through the platform. Once both parties are happy with the terms, you both sign. The document is sealed at that point — no further changes can be made without creating a new agreement.
Can I use a contract created online as evidence in court?
Yes. An online contract with electronic signatures is admissible as evidence in Australian courts and state tribunals (VCAT, NCAT, QCAT, etc.). The audit trail — showing who signed, when, and from which device — strengthens enforceability.
What types of contracts can't be created online?
A small number of documents still require physical signatures or witnesses under Australian law — including wills, enduring powers of attorney, and some property conveyance documents. For these, you'll need a lawyer or notary. For all standard personal and business contracts, online creation and signing is fully valid.