Discharge of mortgage: you sign once, we handle the rest
When you refinance through Stryve, you do not have to chase the discharge yourself. The new lender and Stryve coordinate the entire process with your old lender on your behalf. You sign a discharge authority form once. We handle the rest.
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What it is
A discharge is the legal removal of your old lender from your property title
Until the discharge is complete, the old lender's name stays on the title even if the loan is fully repaid. Two documents make it happen: a discharge authority form (which you sign) and a discharge instrument (which the lender's legal representative lodges at the relevant state land titles office). You do not lodge anything yourself.
The mortgage discharge process in 6 steps
Here is how to discharge a mortgage when refinancing through Stryve. Your job is step 1. Stryve handles steps 2 through 6.
You sign one form. Stryve does the rest.
01
You sign the discharge authority form
Stryve provides the correct discharge authority form for your lender, explains what it says, and collects your signature. All borrowers named on the original loan must sign. The form specifies the reason for discharge: refinance to another lender. This is the only step that requires your direct involvement.
02
Stryve sends the signed form to your old lender
The new lender's settlement team and Stryve coordinate this submission. Stryve confirms receipt with the outgoing lender's discharge department. You do not need to contact your old lender at any point.
03
Your old lender prepares the discharge payout figure
This figure includes the remaining loan balance, any applicable discharge fee, and any break costs if you are on a fixed rate. Stryve reviews this figure line by line and briefs you on anything unexpected before settlement is booked. No surprises at the finish line.
04
Settlement date is set
The settlement date falls 2 to 4 weeks after the old lender receives the discharge authority. Stryve coordinates the date between both lenders and confirms it with you. If the outgoing lender is slow, Stryve escalates directly with their discharge team.
05
Settlement occurs
The new lender pays out the old loan in full. The mortgage is discharged from the property title via PEXA. This happens electronically on the same day in most cases. Both lenders' legal representatives complete the transaction without requiring you to be present.
06
The old lender confirms the discharge
The old lender's name is removed from your property title at the state land titles office. The new lender's mortgage is registered in its place. You receive written confirmation that the discharge is complete and the new loan is active.
Want to know your specific lender's discharge timeline?
Book a free 15-minute chat. Stryve has worked with every major Australian lender's discharge team and can give you a realistic timeline before you start.
Book your discharge planning chatDischarge fees and timeframes by lender
Stryve works with 40+ lenders and knows each lender's discharge team and processing speed. This table reflects what we see in practice, not what lenders promise on their websites.
Fees and timeframes can change. Stryve confirms the exact discharge figure and timeframe for your specific loan before settlement is booked.
| Lender | Discharge fee | Timeframe (business days) | Electronic authority | Delay risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANZ | $160 | 14–18 | Yes | Medium — high volume periods cause backlogs |
| CBA | $350 | 14–21 | Yes | Medium — slower during end-of-financial-year |
| Westpac | $350 | 14–21 | Yes | Medium — can extend to 25 days at peak |
| NAB | $350 | 14–18 | Yes | Low — consistent processing times |
| ING | $350 | 10–15 | Yes | Low — smaller volume, faster turnaround |
| Macquarie | $350 | 10–14 | Yes | Low — efficient digital processing |
| Bendigo Bank | $350 | 14–21 | Yes | Medium — regional branches can add 2–3 days |
| BOQ | $300 | 14–18 | Yes | Low — straightforward process |
| Bankwest | $350 | 10–15 | Yes | Low — aligned with CBA systems but faster |
| Suncorp | $350 | 14–21 | Yes | Medium — occasional delays on older loan products |
What the discharge figure includes
The discharge figure is the total amount the new lender pays to settle your old loan. The discharge fee is one component of four. Knowing what each line item is for stops surprises at settlement.
Remaining loan balance
The amount you still owe on the principal at the day of settlement. This is the largest component of the discharge figure for most borrowers and is calculated from your lender's loan ledger.
Accrued interest
Interest charged from your last repayment date up to and including settlement day. Even with daily-interest loans, the cents add up — Stryve confirms the exact figure with your lender before settlement is booked.
Discharge fee
A flat administrative charge from your outgoing lender, typically $150 to $400. Set by the lender and non-negotiable. The table above shows the current fee for the major Australian lenders.
Break costs (fixed-rate only)
If you are exiting a fixed-rate loan early, the lender may charge break costs to recover lost interest. These can range from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands depending on the remaining fixed term and rate differential. No break costs apply on a variable rate.
Common discharge problems and what we do about them
Most discharges go through without a problem. But when something does go wrong, it helps to have a broker who has seen it before and knows how to fix it.
Lender delays beyond the stated timeframe
Some lenders take longer than their stated timeframe, especially during June and December peaks. Stryve follows up with the outgoing lender's discharge team weekly and escalates if the timeline slips past the agreed date. You receive an update at each step.
Discharge figure higher than expected
Usually caused by break costs on fixed-rate loans or accrued interest the borrower did not account for. Stryve reviews the figure before settlement is booked and explains every line item. If the number does not match expectations, Stryve queries it directly with the lender before proceeding.
Title discrepancies blocking the discharge
Rare, but if the property title has an error — a name mismatch, an unregistered caveat — the discharge can stall. This requires legal sign-off. Stryve coordinates with the conveyancer or solicitor to identify the issue and resolve it before it delays settlement.
Partial discharges for multiple securities
If you have multiple properties secured against one loan and you are releasing only one property, you need a partial discharge. This is a different process with additional lender approval and longer turnaround. Stryve advises whether a partial discharge applies and manages the extra paperwork.
Keep exploring
discharge & costs
What our customers
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“Nate and Dylan were extremely helpful in helping us secure our new home. They were easy to contact from day one, and answered any questions we had. We felt reassured at all times and are very grateful for their patience with us. I have recommended Stryve to 3 friends now who have all been successful in achieving their goals of purchasing their homes. We are so happy with the service and will definitely keep on recommending Stryve to our family and friends.”
Whitney Tran
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“I never had a problem with Dylan. From the start of our journey on mortgage til the very end and even with refinancing, he/they were very helpful, transparent, honest and really keen to help their clients! Highly recommended.”
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“On behalf of my husband and I, we would like to truly thank Dylan Bertovic for all his assistance in helping us with our new loan - approved in time before our settlement. Dylan worked above and beyond expected. He took the time to explain every step and process with us. Any questions we had, Dylan would go out of his way to ensure they were answered. He made the process stress free and ensured we got the best possible deal. We highly recommend Dylan to all our family and friends.”
Merna Yalda
Homeowner
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Julia
Homeowner
“Dylan has not only been a longtime friend, but also the trusted mortgage broker of choice for my family. He answers the phone at all hours, communicates extensively through all steps of a sometimes-complicated process and manages my risk. He has a straight to the point approach which I appreciate. Simply gets the job done, and gets it done very quickly. Thanks for everything Dylan, you're a champion broker and a good mate.”
Christian Barać
Homeowner
“Nate and Dylan were the ultimate professionals in securing a home loan to help us purchase our first home! Following the purchase of our home, they have continued to provide their exceptional service and have been able to secure two rate reductions in six months! Being self-employed wasn't an issue for me as Nate knew the process back-to-front and was able to provide sound advice throughout the application process.”
Justin Tomas
Homeowner
“It was an absolute brilliant experience with Stryve. Our first purchase was with Dylan he was always clear re: the next steps, quick to respond, never tired of questions and went over and above with communication. We went back and used him again for our next investment and the experience was just as wonderful as the first. Stryve also reviews our loans every 6 months to make sure we are getting the best rates on offer. We couldn't ask for more!”
Amber Motii
Homeowner
Mortgage discharge: common questions
Let Stryve handle the discharge for you
You sign the discharge authority once. Stryve lodges it, chases the lender, coordinates the settlement, and briefs you on any surprises before they become problems. Book a 15-minute chat to ask about your specific lender's mortgage discharge process.