E-Signatures in Australia — Are They Legal?

Yes. Electronic signatures are legally valid in Australia under the Electronic Transactions Act 1999 (Cth). Here's everything Australian businesses need to know.

The Short Version

If you're an Australian business owner, freelancer, or individual who needs to sign documents online — you're legally covered. The Electronic Transactions Act gives e-signatures the same legal standing as wet ink signatures for most commercial documents.

You can sign documents for free with SignBolt right now — 3 documents per month free, just create a free account in 30 seconds.

The Legal Framework

Federal: Electronic Transactions Act 1999 (Cth)

The ETA is the primary legislation. Under Section 10, a signature requirement is met electronically if the method:

1. Identifies the person signing
2. Indicates their approval of the information
3. Is as reliable as appropriate for the purpose
4. The other party consents to electronic signing

State and Territory Laws

Each state and territory has its own Electronic Transactions Act that mirrors the federal legislation:

What You CAN Sign Electronically

• Business contracts and agreements
• Employment contracts and offer letters
• Lease agreements and tenancy contracts
• Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs)
• Purchase orders and invoices
• Insurance documents
• Loan agreements
• Vendor and supplier agreements
• Consent forms

What You CANNOT Sign Electronically

Certain documents are excluded from the ETA:

• Wills and codicils — Must be signed in wet ink and witnessed
• Powers of attorney — Generally require wet ink and witnessing
• Statutory declarations and affidavits — Require physical presence
• Real property transfers — Require specific electronic conveyancing (PEXA)
• Court documents — Subject to specific court rules

E-Signature Tools for Australian Businesses

Most international e-signature tools work in Australia. Here's how they compare:

How SignBolt Meets Australian Requirements

SignBolt is designed to comply with the Electronic Transactions Act:

• Signer identification — IP address logging and optional email verification identify the signatory
• Intent to sign — The act of drawing, typing, or uploading a signature and clicking to place it demonstrates clear intent
• Consent — Both parties consent by participating in the electronic signing process
• Audit trail — Every signature includes a UTC timestamp, audit ID, and IP address embedded in the signed PDF

Cross-Border Recognition

Documents signed electronically in Australia are generally recognised in:

• United States — Under the ESIGN Act and UETA
• European Union — Under the eIDAS Regulation
• United Kingdom — Under the Electronic Communications Act 2000
• New Zealand — Under the Electronic Transactions Act 2002
• Canada — Under PIPEDA and provincial legislation

This makes SignBolt suitable for Australian businesses with international clients and partners.

For the full legal breakdown, see our Electronic Transactions Act guide. Australian freelancers and small businesses can also read our freelancer e-signature guide and our breakdown of what an electronic signature actually is. To compare pricing against DocuSign and HelloSign, visit our pricing page.