What should I check in my property contract, and what are the key dates I need to track in Victoria?

Deposit: must pay on schedule with written evidence; failure lets the seller terminate, retain the deposit, and claim further compensation including agent commission. GST Withholding: pay directly to the ATO if the seller mandates it. CGT Withholding: for contracts signed from 1 January 2025, withhold 15% of the purchase price — no minimum price threshold — and pay it to the ATO at settlement, unless the seller produces a valid ATO clearance certificate or variation notice. Key dates: contract date, deposit due, balance deposit due, finance approval deadline, building and pest inspection deadline, settlement date. Separately, before signing, get the whole contract reviewed by a legal expert — common issues include the wrong buyer entity being specified, unclear deposit terms, and missing conditions for foreign ownership, finance approval, or a related settlement happening at the same time.