Frequently asked questions
We understand that environmental and property due diligence can raise detailed and technical questions.
Below are answers to some of the most common queries about our reports, data sources and delivery timeframes.
If you don’t see your question here, we’re always happy to provide further clarification.
A Lotsearch report is designed to complement and enhance traditional searches by providing broader, more comprehensive information.
Government certificates are typically prescriptive in nature. They focus on specific statutory registers and are often limited to the individual lot or plan being searched. As regulatory frameworks have evolved, environmental regulators have introduced additional registers and reporting mechanisms. In some cases, there may be differences between what appears on a regulator’s public register and what is included in a corresponding government certificate.
Lotsearch reports are designed to provide a more complete picture of environmental hazards. In addition to incorporating all relevant regulatory registers, our reports:
-
Examine potential hazards affecting surrounding land, not just the subject property
-
Identify known and potentially contaminated sites in the wider area
-
Some reports include historical land use research to highlight potential contamination issues that aren’t known to the environmental regulators
Environmental risks such as contaminated land are not confined by property boundaries. Contamination can migrate between properties, creating potential legal exposure and clean-up costs. Understanding the broader context is essential.
Lotsearch has identified over 260,000 known and potentially contaminated sites across Australia and developed a suite of reports to help clients make informed decisions and reduce risk.
-
Lotsearch reports are trusted and used by professionals across multiple sectors. Our three primary user groups are:
Environmental Consultants
Lotsearch reports are designed to support consultants undertaking contaminated land assessments, including Preliminary Site Investigations (PSIs), Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessments, and environmental due diligence.
Our reports streamline the desktop investigation phase in line with industry guidelines and professional standards, enabling consultants to focus on analysis and interpretation.
Lawyers & Conveyancers
Lotsearch reports assist legal professionals undertaking property due diligence and seller disclosure obligations.
Whether assessing contaminated land risk, bushfire exposure, or surrounding development activity, our reports help lawyers and conveyancers confidently advise clients and support their duty of care.
Government
Lotsearch has delivered bespoke projects for government agencies, assisting them in identifying known and potential contamination hazards across their jurisdictions and supporting strategic risk management initiatives.
Yes. Our core reporting suite is available nationwide across all Australian states and territories.
In addition, we offer certain reports tailored to specific state or territory legislative requirements. Please visit our product pages for detailed information about availability and inclusions in your jurisdiction.
A Lotsearch report is typically used as an early step in the due diligence process.
Our reports provide a structured summary of regulatory records, historical land use information, and surrounding area hazards to help identify potential environmental issues. This enables clients to:
-
Screen properties for potential contamination or environmental constraints
-
Identify matters that may warrant further investigation
-
Support internal decision-making and risk management processes
A Lotsearch report is not intended to replace a detailed environmental assessment where one is required. Instead, it helps clients determine whether further specialist review — such as engagement of an environmental consultant — may be appropriate.
By providing accessible and comprehensive information at the outset, Lotsearch helps clients make informed, defensible decisions.
-
Yes.
Lotsearch reports include records identified for both the subject site and the surrounding area. This is an important point of difference compared to many traditional searches.
Environmental hazards are not restricted by property boundaries. For example, contamination from a nearby service station, industrial site, or landfill may migrate and impact neighbouring properties.
Understanding risks in the surrounding area can help:
-
Identify potential sources of contamination
-
Avoid unexpected liabilities
-
Reduce the likelihood of costly disputes or remediation expenses
Providing broader spatial context is central to how Lotsearch supports informed risk assessment.
-
No. Lotsearch does not provide legal or environmental advice.
Our reports are designed to help clients identify environmental records and potential hazards relevant to a site. The presence of a record in a report does not automatically confirm contamination, risk, or non-compliance. It indicates information that may warrant further review.
Each report includes guidance on potential next steps if further investigation is required. We recommend that clients seek advice from a suitably qualified environmental consultant or legal professional to interpret the implications for their specific circumstances.
Our dedicated support team is available to assist with questions relating to the data sources, report content and where further information could be obtained.
Most environmental legislation in Australia emerged during the 1970s, with state-based environmental regulators becoming firmly established in the 1990s. As a result, many public regulatory records date from the 1990s onwards.
To address potential risks that pre-date modern environmental regulation, Lotsearch undertakes extensive historical research. Our reports typically provide up to 100 years of historical land use information, helping to identify former activities that may have created contamination risks long before formal registers existed.
Each Lotsearch dataset follows an update schedule aligned with the release cycles of the relevant source agency. This ensures that reports incorporate the most current information available.
Some source agencies publish data irregularly or experience delays in releasing updates. When new information becomes available, it is incorporated into our systems as soon as possible.
Each dataset in your report includes metadata detailing:
-
The update frequency
-
The most recent date the data was received and updated by Lotsearch
This transparency allows clients to verify the currency of the information provided.
-
Lotsearch maintains rigorous quality assurance processes across its data and reporting systems.
Our experienced data and reporting analysts apply structured review procedures to ensure accuracy and consistency. We have invested in robust policies, procedures and database management systems, and we regularly perform quality checks across our datasets.
These processes are designed to ensure that the information presented in each report meets our strict quality standards and provides clients with reliable, defensible data.
Lotsearch is equipped to support large-scale portfolio assessments.
Our reporting infrastructure is designed to generate high volumes of quality-checked reports and digital data files efficiently. We regularly assist clients with projects involving multiple properties across different jurisdictions.
To get started:
-
Request a quote via our website or contact our support team by phone or email.
-
Our team will assess your requirements and provide a proposal with pricing and delivery timeframes. We will work with you to meet your project timeframes.
-
Once approved, we will commence delivery of reports until the project is complete.
-
Pricing varies depending on the report type and user category. Current pricing is available on our order forms:
An invoice is issued once the report has been delivered. The invoice includes payment terms and can be made through PayPal or bank transfer.
For customised or portfolio projects, please contact our team for a tailored quote.