The full document checklist

Bring (or have uploaded in advance) all of the following:

  • Your loan offer or letter of variation. The document from your bank that sets out the loan amount, interest rate, term, and key conditions. Often called the "loan contract" or "approval letter".
  • The mortgage or guarantee document to be signed. This is the operative legal document — the one the ILA is actually about. For borrowers, it's the mortgage. For guarantors, it's the guarantee and indemnity.
  • Any related security documents. If you're providing additional security (a second property, term deposit, etc.), bring the documents that create that security.
  • A current photo ID. A driver's licence or passport. The solicitor must verify your identity at the start of the meeting.
  • If you're guaranteeing for a corporate borrower: the company's ASIC extract and the constitution/trust deed if requested.
  • For SMSF loans: the SMSF deed and bare trust deed, in addition to the loan documents.

Most lenders or brokers can email the whole bundle in a single PDF. Ask for "the ILA pack" and they'll know what you mean. (Curious about the certificate itself? See what is an ILA certificate.)

What you don't need to bring

You don't need to do hours of preparation. Specifically, you don't need to:

  • Read the loan documents cover-to-cover. The solicitor will walk you through them.
  • Bring tax returns, bank statements, or proof of income. ILA is about the legal effect of the document you're signing, not about whether you qualify for the loan.
  • Bring witnesses. The solicitor is your witness.
  • Sign anything before the meeting. The signing happens at the appointment itself.

One thing worth doing if you have time: skim the loan offer's interest rate, loan amount, and the security description. Confirm those match what you agreed with your broker. If anything looks wrong, flag it before you turn up — better to fix the document than have the meeting paused. If your appointment is over video, our Zoom ILA guide covers the tech side.

What actually happens in the meeting

The structure is consistent across firms. A typical 45-minute appointment runs roughly:

Minutes 0–5: introductions and ID verification. The solicitor confirms who you are, who they are, and what the meeting is for. They check your ID against the names on the loan documents.

Minutes 5–10: voluntariness check. The solicitor asks whether you're attending freely, whether anyone is pressuring you to sign, and whether you've had a chance to ask questions of anyone else (your broker, your accountant, your conveyancer). This isn't a tick-box — it's a real check, and if anything you say raises concern, the solicitor may pause or end the meeting.

Minutes 10–35: the document walk-through. The solicitor explains, in plain English, what each major part of the document does. Loan amount, repayments, default, security, what the bank can do if things go wrong, what releases the document. For guarantors, this section gets longer — the solicitor will walk through the worst-case dollar exposure and stress-test it with you.

Minutes 35–40: your questions. Time for anything you've been wondering about.

Minutes 40–45: signing. You sign the loan or guarantee, the solicitor witnesses, the certificate is signed, and the meeting ends. The signed certificate is sent to your broker or lender within minutes.

Questions you'll be asked

Expect the solicitor to ask, at minimum:

  • What's your name and date of birth? Can I see your ID?
  • Who else benefits from this loan?
  • Have you been pressured by anyone to sign this?
  • Have you read the documents?
  • Do you understand what would happen if you (or the borrower) couldn't make the repayments?
  • For guarantors specifically: do you understand that the bank could pursue you for the full guaranteed amount, and that this might mean selling assets including your home?
  • Are you proceeding voluntarily and with a full understanding of what you're agreeing to?

"Yes" answers without thought are not what the solicitor is looking for. Real answers — even hesitant ones — are. If you're not sure of something, say so. The solicitor will explain it again.

Questions worth asking

The appointment is also your chance to get clarity. Useful questions:

  • "In dollar terms, what's the most I could lose if everything went wrong?"
  • "What's the most likely scenario where I'd actually get a call from the bank?"
  • "How and when can I get out of this commitment?"
  • "If my circumstances change in two years, what are my options?"
  • "Is there anything in these documents that you'd push back on if it were your own family signing?"

That last one is a useful filter. A good ILA solicitor will give a direct answer.

After the meeting

Once the meeting ends, the solicitor sends the signed certificate (and the signed loan/guarantee documents if they were signed electronically) to your broker, conveyancer or directly to the lender. This usually happens within minutes — certainly the same day.

From there, the document goes onto the bank's settlement file and the loan can proceed. You don't have any further role unless the bank flags an issue with the certificate (which is rare if the appointment was with a specialist ILA firm).

Keep your copy of the documents and certificate. You'll occasionally need them later — for example, if you want to refinance or release the guarantee. Storing a PDF in your email is fine.

General information only. This article gives general guidance for Australian borrowers and guarantors. It is not legal advice and does not consider your individual circumstances. For advice on your specific situation, book a paid ILA appointment or speak to a qualified Australian solicitor.