How to Correctly Sign a Contract in Australia

Signing a Contract? Don’t Skip the Basics.

It’s easy to assume a signature means a contract is good to go, but if the wrong person signs, or signs incorrectly, the entire contract could be unenforceable.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

Sole traders (and individual trustees) can sign themselves—ideally with a witness.

Companies need to follow section 126 or 127 of the Corporations Act—typically two directors, or one director and a secretary (or just the director if it’s a sole-director company).

electronic signatures are valid—including in most cases for deeds—so long

as they’re applied properly. Think platforms like DocuSign, Adobe Sign, or even a stylus on a tablet.

Best practice: Always confirm that whoever signs has the authority to bind the business. It could be the difference between a deal that sticks—and one that doesn’t.

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