09/03/2026
Understanding Survey Plans: How to Identify an Original or Fake Survey
A survey plan is a document that shows the exact measurement, size, and boundaries of a parcel of land. It helps you know where the land starts and where it ends. Survey matters are handled by licensed surveyors, who are regulated by the Office of the Surveyor-General in each state.
A proper survey plan should contain the following:
🥢The name of the owner of the land surveyed.
🥢The address or description of the land.
🥢The size of the land (usually in square metres).
🥢The survey drawing showing the shape and boundaries of the land.
🥢Beacon numbers marking the boundary points.
🥢The name, signature, registration number, and date of the surveyor who prepared it.
🥢A government stamp showing whether the land is free from government acquisition or not.
Before buying land, it is very important to take a surveyor to the land to measure it and pick the coordinates. These coordinates can then be taken to the Office of the Surveyor-General to confirm the status of the land.
You should also ensure that the beacons on the land correspond with the beacon numbers on the survey plan, and that the surveyor’s registration number is genuine.
No matter how cheap or attractive a land may look, if it falls within government acquisition or a reserved area, it is risky to buy it because such land can be taken over or demolished in the future. Always verify the survey plan before paying for land.
