The Lodgment Rules will soon be changed to further support the transition to 100% digital survey plans.
The digital survey plans program is working towards the following mandates:
- from 1 July 2026 – administration sheets and section 88B instruments to be prepared and lodged through LRS Connect (digital forms requirements)
- coming soon (late 2026 to early 2027) – digital plan files (LandXML) to be lodged with PDF plans through LRS Connect (digital plan file requirements).
Consultation draft Lodgment Rules version 2.2, containing the proposed new rules for these requirements (in markup), is now published: Any comments are to be provided by close of business Thursday 30 April 2026 to digitalsurveyplans@customerservice.nsw.gov.au.
Consultation Draft Lodgment Rules Version 2.2 (in mark up)
What are the proposed new rules?
Proposed to commence 1 July 2026:
- Rules 7.2.1, 7.3.1, and 8.3.1 – digital forms requirements
- Rule 7.1.2(b) – surveyors have the option to lodge a digital plan file (LandXML) with a PDF plan
- Rule 7.1.3 – data in a digital plan file and corresponding PDF plan must be identical
Proposed to commence on a date to be determined, and to be notified through publication at least 20 business days before commencement:
- Schedule 18 – future digital plan file requirements, with commencement dates to be inserted when determined and notified.
Lodgment Rules version 2.2 also contains administrative updates throughout.
Will there be exceptions to the new rules?
Yes, once the rules have commenced, there will be exceptions for certain types of plans and circumstances.
- Draft Lodgment Rules Exceptions List version 2.2 (new Part 3 outlining exceptions for the digital form requirements commencing 1 July 2026, and digital plan file requirements once commenced).
The Lodgment Rules exceptions are built into LRS Connect, meaning that a lodging party does not need to submit a separate Lodgment Rules Exception Form with the relevant plans and associated documents.
The Lodgment Rules exceptions are distinguishable from exemptions that are issued by the Surveyor General in relation to requirements under the Surveying and Spatial Information Regulation (see Surveyor-General's Directions - Spatial Services).
What are the lodgment rules?
The Lodgment Rules outline requirements relating to the lodgment of documents (including the preparation, form and content and procedures to be followed for lodgment) under or for the purposes of a relevant Act relating to titling and registry functions, among other things. They are determined by the Registrar General under section 12F of the Real Property Act 1900. The current and historical versions are available on our website.
Why are the changes being made?
The Lodgment Rules already require plans to be lodged electronically through LRS Connect. The proposed changes under Lodgment Rules version 2.2 support the transition to 100% digital survey plan lodgment to:
- reduce the risk of errors and requisitions
- reduce the number of plan re-lodgments
- streamline plan lodgment and registration processes.
For further information, see Digital Survey Plans and NSW Land Registry Services (NSW LRS) resources:
Watch out for further communications
Further details about the changes will be provided once the final amended Lodgment Rules have been published. Changes to the Lodgment Rules must be published at least 20 business days before they commence.