Free statutory declaration template (Australia)
A free Australian statutory declaration template from Quillio is drafted to either the Commonwealth Statutory Declarations Act 1959 form (for federal matters) or the applicable state form (NSW Oaths Act 1900, VIC Evidence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1958, QLD Oaths Act 1867). The key difference is the witnessing requirements — Commonwealth stat decs can be witnessed by a broader range of people than state forms. I generate the correct form based on the purpose and jurisdiction.
Commonwealth vs state forms
The Commonwealth form (under the Statutory Declarations Act 1959) is used for federal matters (Centrelink, immigration, ASIC, ATO) and can be witnessed by anyone on the approved list of 457 categories of witness. State forms are used for state matters (land transactions, state government applications) and have different approved witness categories. Using the wrong form can invalidate the declaration.
Witnessing requirements
The declarant makes the declaration in the presence of an authorised witness. The witness must verify the identity of the declarant (since 2022 amendments to the Commonwealth Act). The witness signs the declaration and provides their name, qualification (e.g., "Justice of the Peace for the State of NSW"), and contact details. State requirements vary.
How I generate statutory declarations
Tell me whether you need a Commonwealth or state form, the declarant's details, and the content. I produce the declaration in the correct format with proper wording. For common purposes (change of name, identity confirmation, separation declaration for family law), I have standard content templates that I populate with your details.
Common issues
- Using a state form for a Commonwealth purpose (or vice versa) can invalidate the declaration
- Since 2022, Commonwealth stat dec witnesses must verify the declarant's identity — this is a new requirement
- A statutory declaration is not the same as an affidavit — stat decs are for administrative purposes, affidavits are for court proceedings
Try Quillio on a real matter.
The fastest way to know if Quillio fits your practice is to use it on your own work. The free trial requires no credit card and no sales call.
Start your free trial