How Much Notice Does a Landlord Need to Give to End a Tenancy in Australia?

End of a Fixed-Term Lease

At the end of a fixed-term lease, minimum notice before or at expiry:

State/Territory	Minimum notice
NSW	30 days
VIC	60 days
QLD	2 months
WA	30 days
SA	28 days
TAS	42 days
ACT	26 weeks
NT	42 days

Periodic (Month-to-Month) Tenancies

State/Territory	Notice (no breach)	Notes
NSW	90 days
VIC	60 days	Valid reason required
QLD	2 months
WA	60 days
SA	60 days
TAS	42 days
ACT	26 weeks
NT	42 days

Victoria abolished no-reason evictions in 2021. Landlords must provide a valid reason listed in the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (VIC) — such as selling the property or moving in themselves.

Notice for Breach

Where a tenant is in breach (e.g., rent arrears, damage):

1. A notice to remedy the breach (commonly 14 days)
2. If not remedied, a notice to vacate (typically a further 14 days)

What Happens If You Do Not Leave

A landlord cannot force you to leave by changing locks, removing belongings, or cutting utilities. They must obtain a possession order from the tribunal. Only then can a sheriff enforce the order.

Key Points

• Notice periods vary significantly by state
• Victoria requires a valid reason to end a periodic tenancy
• Landlords must obtain a tribunal possession order to enforce eviction
• Breach notices require a remedy period before a vacate notice can issue