AU Australia property term
Offer and Acceptance (O&A)
Western Australia
Plain-English definition
The standard WA form used to make a written property offer that becomes a contract when accepted and communicated.
Why this matters to a foreign buyer
Include every condition you need before signing because WA has no automatic residential cooling-off period.
The Offer and Acceptance, often called the O&A, is the written contract form commonly used to buy and sell residential property in Western Australia. It records the price, parties, property, settlement date and negotiated conditions.
When the offer becomes a contract
A buyer signs and submits the offer. If the seller accepts it according to its terms and acceptance is communicated, a binding contract can arise. A counteroffer changes the proposed terms and must itself be accepted before agreement is reached.
Conditions must be written clearly
Finance, building inspection, due diligence, sale of another property and other protections depend on the actual wording. General assumptions or verbal assurances should not be treated as contract conditions.
WA has no general cooling-off period
Western Australia does not provide an automatic cooling-off period for ordinary residential private-treaty contracts. Buyers should obtain advice and complete essential checks before signing or ensure appropriate conditions are included.
- Confirm the legal buyer names and ownership shares
- Record every included fixture and negotiated condition
- Check deposit, finance, inspection and settlement deadlines
Frequently asked questions
Can a buyer withdraw an offer in WA?
An unaccepted offer may sometimes be withdrawn, but once a binding contract exists the buyer’s rights depend on the contract and law. Obtain prompt legal advice.
Is there a cooling-off period in WA?
There is no general automatic cooling-off period for ordinary residential private-treaty sales in Western Australia.
For step-by-step Perth and WA guides, visit Property Learning Hub.