If you are a landlord searching for the right lease renewal notice in Australia, start with the jurisdiction rather than a national number. This guide covers NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, WA, NT, TAS and ACT, and separates HoldKey's planning reminder from the statutory notice required to end or change a tenancy.
Important: HoldKey's reminders are designed to start a renewal conversation early. A reminder is not automatically a statutory notice to vacate. Before serving notice, check the signed agreement, the required form and the current tenancy authority guidance for the reason you are relying on.
The HoldKey renewal reminder matrix
This is the same conditional matrix used by the HoldKey compliance timeline and agent for the seven integrated jurisdictions. “Review only” means HoldKey intentionally does not infer a statutory number. ACT is included for authority guidance, but it is not currently calculated by the product.
| Jurisdiction | Fixed-term tenancy | Periodic tenancy | How to read the reminder |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | Generally 60 days for a fixed term of 6 months or less, or 90 days for a longer fixed term, for listed grounds; other grounds differ. | Generally 90 days for listed landlord grounds; other grounds differ. | HoldKey gives a 60-day fixed-term planning reminder and keeps periodic results review-only. The statutory date cannot be earlier than the fixed-term end. |
| VIC | No blanket end-of-term non-renewal number; a valid reason, evidence and Notice to Vacate are required, with many grounds using 90 days and exceptions. | A valid reason, evidence and Notice to Vacate are required; the period depends on the ground. | HoldKey uses 60 days only where the signed lease specifies that planning timing and keeps periodic results review-only. |
| QLD | For the end-of-fixed-term ground, Form 12 generally needs at least 2 months before the end date; other grounds differ. | Form 12 must rely on an applicable reason and its required notice period; there is no universal renewal number. | HoldKey keeps fixed-term results review-only and gives a 30-day periodic planning reminder. Neither is a substitute for the RTA process. |
| SA | At least 60 days with a prescribed ground and notice process for a landlord ending a fixed term; no notice can mean the tenancy continues. | Ground- and form-specific; no universal renewal number is inferred. | HoldKey selects 60 days only when the fixed term exceeds 12 full months. Exactly 12 months remains review-only because that threshold is a product condition. |
| WA | Current Consumer Protection guidance generally shows 30 days, using the current form and a date not before the fixed-term end. | Current guidance generally shows 60 days, but the ground, form and service rules control. | HoldKey keeps both WA results review-only rather than fabricating a default while the agreement and current authority are checked. |
| NT | Generally 60 days for newer agreements under the current no-ground pathway; older agreements can have transitional periods. | Generally 60 days for newer agreements; older agreements can have transitional periods. | HoldKey keeps fixed-term results review-only and gives a 30-day periodic planning reminder. Confirm the agreement date and current RT05 form. |
| TAS | CBOS guidance uses a 42–60 day range depending on the tenancy and ground; use the current Notice to Vacate process. | Ground-specific; the current guidance can require 42 days or another prescribed period. | HoldKey reviews a fixed-period lease on its end date and gives a 28-day periodic planning reminder. Neither is a service period. |
| ACT | No single end-of-term number applies without checking the lawful ground and current ACT notice requirements. | Notice length depends on the lawful ground; a landlord cannot rely on a no-reason renewal deadline. | ACT is authority guidance only in this article. HoldKey does not calculate ACT lease-renewal deadlines. |
State-by-state notes
NSW
HoldKey starts a fixed-term renewal review 60 days before the end date and keeps a periodic agreement review-only. NSW Fair Trading's current table distinguishes fixed terms of 6 months or less, longer fixed terms and periodic agreements. For listed landlord grounds, the table generally shows 60 days for a fixed term of 6 months or less and 90 days for a longer fixed term or periodic agreement, while other grounds can use different periods. A termination date cannot be earlier than the fixed-term end.
Use a written termination notice that identifies the tenancy, termination date and ground, and include any supporting evidence the ground requires. Serve it using a permitted method; if sending by post, allow the current additional working days for delivery. A renewal email is not a replacement for the statutory notice.
Read NSW Fair Trading's current notice-period guidance →
VIC
The 60-day entry is a lease-specific planning reminder where the signed agreement specifies that timing. A Victorian fixed-term agreement ordinarily becomes periodic unless it is renewed or the rental provider serves a valid Notice to Vacate. Current Consumer Affairs Victoria guidance generally uses 90 days for many valid grounds, with shorter or different exceptions, and requires the stated reason and supporting evidence where applicable. Expiry alone is not a blanket 60-day non-renewal rule.
Use the current prescribed Notice to Vacate and a permitted service method, such as post or electronic service where the legal requirements are met. Keep the sent notice and delivery record; a tenant can ask CAV for help or challenge the notice at VCAT.
Read Consumer Affairs Victoria's notice-to-vacate guidance →
QLD
For a non-fixed-term periodic agreement, HoldKey offers a 30-day renewal review prompt. The RTA explains that a fixed term can continue as a periodic agreement when no new agreement is put in place. If a landlord is relying on the end-of-fixed-term ground, the current RTA process generally requires a Form 12 with at least 2 months' notice before the fixed-term end; other grounds have their own periods and evidence requirements.
Use the current Form 12 and calculate the required clear days from valid service. The RTA allows specified service methods, but postal delivery and weekends or public holidays can affect the effective date. For a tenant challenge, start with RTA dispute resolution where required and then use QCAT when the matter is within its jurisdiction.
Read the Queensland RTA ending-tenancy notice guidance →
SA
HoldKey selects 60 days only when the fixed-term interval is longer than 12 full months. That threshold is a product condition, not a South Australian statutory threshold. Current Consumer and Business Services guidance says a landlord ending a fixed term generally needs at least 60 days, a prescribed ground and the correct notice process. If no valid notice is given, the tenancy can continue as periodic.
Use the current prescribed notice, state the ground and attach or retain supporting evidence where required. A 12-month-or-shorter record should remain review-only in HoldKey; confirm service timing and the current form before acting. A tenant can seek help through CBS and challenge a termination at SACAT.
Read South Australia's current landlord tenancy guidance →
WA
HoldKey does not guess a WA number. Current Consumer Protection guidance generally describes 30 days for a landlord ending a fixed-term tenancy at the end date and 60 days for a periodic tenancy. The signed agreement, the current Form 1C, the stated ground and the date the tenant receives the notice still matter, so the app keeps both results review-only.
Serve the current form using a permitted method and allow for delivery before counting the notice period. Because WA tenancy requirements can change, check the current Consumer Protection guide at the time of service rather than relying on an old template. Consumer Protection can assist with conciliation; residential tenancy orders generally proceed through the Magistrates Court rather than a generic renewal reminder.
Read Consumer Protection WA's current tenancy-ending guidance →
NT
HoldKey uses a 30-day periodic renewal review prompt, not a claim that every NT landlord can terminate on 30 days. Under the current Consumer Affairs NT RT05 guidance, the no-ground pathway generally uses 60 days for agreements entered into on or after 2 January 2024. Transitional rules can preserve a 14-day fixed-term period or 42-day periodic period for older agreements, and other grounds can have different requirements.
Use the current RT05 form, record the agreement commencement date and serve the notice by a permitted method. Allow for delivery time, and do not treat the HoldKey reminder as the statutory service period. A tenant can seek dispute assistance and take a termination dispute to NTCAT.
Read Northern Territory Consumer Affairs guidance and forms →
TAS
HoldKey gives a non-fixed-term agreement a 28-day review prompt. For a fixed-period lease, it places the renewal review on the lease end date rather than fabricating an earlier number. CBOS's current owner-ending guidance uses a 42–60 day range for a fixed-period Notice to Vacate depending on the tenancy and ground, while periodic termination is also ground-specific and can require 42 days or another prescribed period.
Use the current Tasmanian Notice to Vacate process, serve it as CBOS requires and preserve proof of service. Do not treat the zero-day fixed-term result or the 28-day periodic prompt as statutory notice periods. A tenant can raise the issue with the Residential Tenancy Commissioner and, where applicable, TASCAT.
Read CBOS Tasmania's owner-ending-a-lease guidance →
ACT
ACT is included for current authority guidance only; HoldKey does not calculate ACT lease-renewal deadlines. The ACT landlord guide does not create one universal end-of-fixed-term number. A landlord needs a lawful ground, the correct written notice and a date calculated under the current Residential Tenancies Act requirements. Periodic notice periods also depend on the ground, so neither a generic renewal email nor lease expiry alone should be treated as a right to require the tenant to leave.
Check the ACT guide before serving a notice, serve it using a legally permitted method and allow any required delivery time. Keep the signed agreement and evidence for the stated ground, and use ACAT if a tenant challenges the notice or an order is needed. ACT is the clearest example of why a national lease-renewal deadline would be misleading.
Read the ACT Government's current landlord ending-a-tenancy guidance →
Using the reminder in HoldKey
- Record the property's state, lease term type and dates. A fixed-term record with an end date is calculated from that end date.
- For SA, the resolver uses the full-month interval between the entered dates when deciding whether the term is longer than 12 months.
- Review-only rows use the lease end as the review-by date and say that no numeric deadline was inferred.
- Open the state anchor from the dashboard or agent response, then confirm the signed agreement and current authority before serving a notice.
- Use the HoldKey landlord app to keep renewal conversations and compliance tasks in one workflow, then check the pricing page before choosing a plan.
Keep the agreement in view. Notice service, valid grounds, evidence, postal/electronic delivery and transitional rules can change the date that legally applies. This article is a product guide, not legal advice.
Keep lease renewals on track
HoldKey helps landlords track renewal deadlines and review dates, so important lease conversations stay visible and easy to follow.
If a tenant challenges a non-renewal
A tenant can challenge a non-renewal or termination that uses the wrong period or form, lacks a lawful ground, was served incorrectly, relies on unsupported evidence or appears retaliatory. A HoldKey reminder cannot cure an invalid notice. The practical path differs by jurisdiction:
- NSW: NSW Fair Trading information and dispute assistance may help first; NCAT is the tribunal path for tenancy orders and termination disputes.
- VIC: Consumer Affairs Victoria can assist with dispute resolution, while VCAT handles tenancy applications and challenges that require an order.
- QLD: Use the RTA dispute-resolution process where required, then QCAT for a tenancy dispute within its jurisdiction.
- SA: Contact Consumer and Business Services for guidance or conciliation and use SACAT where a tribunal order is needed.
- WA: Consumer Protection offers conciliation; residential tenancy orders generally proceed through the Magistrates Court, so do not assume SAT is the route for an ordinary residential lease.
- NT: Consumer Affairs NT can provide information and NTCAT is the tribunal pathway for residential tenancy disputes.
- TAS: Raise the issue with the Residential Tenancy Commissioner and use TASCAT where the matter falls within its jurisdiction.
- ACT: ACAT is the relevant forum for a tenant seeking orders about a residential tenancy or a disputed termination step.
For forms, preparation and a broader state-by-state tribunal overview, see HoldKey's dispute pathways guide. If a notice has already been served, preserve the original documents and obtain jurisdiction-specific advice promptly.
Evidence landlords should retain
Keep a secure, private record of the renewal decision and every step that could later show what was agreed, why a notice was served and when the tenant received it. A practical file should include:
- the signed lease, addenda, extensions and any clause about renewal or notice;
- the renewal offer, the tenant's response and any counteroffer or agreement;
- the statutory notice or prescribed form, including the stated ground and attachments;
- service proof, such as a delivery receipt, post record, electronic acknowledgement or hand-delivery record;
- the date calculation showing the lease end, service date, delivery allowance and notice period;
- relevant communications, rent ledger, inspection and condition records; and
- documents supporting the stated ground, such as a sale, possession, repair or redevelopment record where relevant.
Retain the file securely and privately through the tenancy and any live dispute, appeal or required recordkeeping period. There is no single national retention term for every lease-renewal document, so check the applicable authority, agreement and professional advice before deleting it.
Frequently asked questions
Is there one national lease renewal notice period in Australia?
No. Australia has no single lease-renewal deadline: the result depends on the state or territory, whether the tenancy is fixed-term or periodic, the stated ground, the prescribed form and how the notice is served. A HoldKey reminder is planning help, not a statutory notice to vacate.
What happens when a fixed-term lease reaches its end date?
It depends on the jurisdiction and the agreement. In several jurisdictions the tenancy can continue as periodic if no valid renewal or termination step is taken; a landlord should not assume that expiry alone requires the tenant to leave. Check the current authority rules and the signed lease before serving or accepting a change.
Do lease renewal notice rules change for periodic agreements?
Yes. Periodic agreements often have different grounds and notice periods from fixed-term agreements. HoldKey's product reminders are intentionally different by jurisdiction, and a review-only result means the app did not infer a statutory number.
Can a tenant challenge an invalid or unsupported non-renewal notice?
Yes. A tenant can dispute a notice that uses the wrong period or form, lacks a valid ground, was not properly served or is not supported by required evidence. The pathway varies: it may include state conciliation or dispute resolution and a tenancy tribunal or court.
What evidence should a landlord retain for a lease renewal decision?
Keep the signed lease and addenda, renewal offer and response, notice or form, service proof, date calculations, communications, rent ledger, inspection and condition records, and documents supporting the stated ground. Store them securely and privately through the tenancy and any live dispute or required recordkeeping period; there is no single national retention term.
What does HoldKey's lease renewal reminder do and not do?
HoldKey helps landlords plan an early renewal review using the existing seven-state product rules. It does not issue a statutory notice, decide a legal ground, replace a prescribed form or calculate ACT lease-renewal deadlines. For ACT, use the current ACT authority guidance and obtain advice where needed.
Ready to turn renewal planning into a repeatable workflow? See the HoldKey landlord app and pricing. For related compliance topics, read the rent increase notice guide, bond lodgement guide and state dispute pathways guide.
Official authorities
Disclaimer: Tenancy law and official guidance can change. Check the signed agreement and current state or territory authority before relying on a notice period, serving a notice, or deciding not to renew. HoldKey does not provide legal advice.