Refinancing
Mortgage Discharge Forms by Lender
Refinancing or selling? Your current lender needs a signed request before it releases its mortgage over your property. Here’s what a discharge authority is, when you need one, and a link to each major lender’s own discharge page.
The basics
What a discharge authority is.
When a home loan is paid out, the lender releases its mortgage over your property so it can be removed from the title. This is called a discharge. A discharge authority is the form you sign to tell your current lender to start that process. Lenders use different names for it, such as discharge request, discharge form or mortgage discharge form.
Lenders usually ask every borrower, and any guarantors, to sign. Some lenders only accept the request from the borrowers named on the title, not from a broker or other third party. Each lender sets its own form and steps, which is why the links below go to each lender’s own page.
When you need one
Refinancing, selling or paying off.
Refinancing to another lender
Your new lender pays out your old loan at settlement, and your old lender releases its mortgage at the same time. The old lender needs your signed discharge authority before it can prepare for settlement. Your new lender, or your broker, will tell you when to lodge it.
Selling the property
The mortgage has to be discharged at settlement so the title can pass to the buyer.
Paying off the loan
Some lenders may not release the mortgage automatically when the balance reaches zero, so check your lender’s page.
Releasing one of several properties
If your loan is secured by more than one property, some lenders use a partial discharge to release one of them.
Before you lodge a discharge for a refinance, your lender may offer to review your rate. You can compare any offer with the new loan, including the costs of switching, before you decide. See what it costs to refinance.
Timing
How long a discharge takes.
It varies by lender, and by whether the form is complete when the lender receives it. As one example, ME Bank says completing a discharge can take up to 21 business days from the date it receives a correctly completed Discharge Authority Form (ME Bank’s discharge page, read 13 November 2026).
Check your own lender’s page for its current process and any fees, which each lender sets. Every signature and the right loan details on the first try help avoid sending the form again.
By lender
Discharge pages by lender.
Most cards link to our page on that lender’s steps and to the lender’s own website. Lenders update their forms, so always use the current version from your lender.
CBA (Commonwealth Bank)
What’s a discharge/refinance authority and how do I complete it?
CBA discharge steps →commbank.com.au →Westpac
Refinancing to a new lender? How to discharge your mortgage.
Westpac discharge steps →westpac.com.au →Bank of Melbourne
How to discharge your mortgage.
Bank of Melbourne discharge steps →bankofmelbourne.com.au →Suncorp Bank
Closing your home loan. Suncorp Bank says it prepares its own form and won’t accept discharge forms from other banks.
Suncorp Bank discharge steps →suncorpbank.com.au →Bankwest
How to discharge your home loan.
bankwest.com.au →ubank
Closing your ubank home loan. ubank sends a Discharge Authority form after you call.
ubank discharge steps →ubank.com.au →Links checked on 13 November 2026. Lender not listed? Search your lender’s website for “discharge”, or call its home loan team.
Not affiliated with or endorsed by any lender listed. Lender names are used to describe their own processes.
Related
More on refinancing.
Questions
Common questions, straight answers.
What is a mortgage discharge form?
It’s the form you sign to ask your current lender to release its mortgage over your property, so it can be removed from the title. Lenders call it different names, such as a discharge authority, discharge request or mortgage discharge form. You need one when you refinance to another lender, sell the property or pay the loan off.
Who signs the discharge authority?
Usually every borrower on the loan, and any guarantors. Each lender sets its own form and rules, so check your lender’s page.
Can my broker request the discharge form for me?
It depends on the lender. Some only accept the request from the borrowers named on the title, so you may need to ask for the form yourself. We can help you find what your lender asks for.
Is there a fee to discharge a mortgage?
Your current lender may charge a discharge fee, and the state land registry usually charges a fee to register the discharge. If you’re on a fixed rate, break costs may also apply. Your lender sets out its fees on its own page or when it confirms your payout figure.
How long does a mortgage discharge take?
It varies by lender. As one example, ME Bank says completing a discharge can take up to 21 business days from when it receives a correctly completed Discharge Authority Form (ME Bank’s discharge page, read 13 November 2026). Check your own lender’s page for its current process.
Refinancing? Talk it through with a broker.
No obligation. No pressure. Just honest answers.
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