Notice of Lien (LN)

The Worker's Liens Act 1893 (SA) gives a worker a lien for wages (s 4), and a contractor or sub-contractor a lien for the contract price accrued due (s 5), over the owner's or occupier's interest in land where the work or materials were provided with their assent. A lien over land is available only if registered within 28 days after the money becomes due (s 10(1)). Money is treated as due if it is unpaid seven days after a signed written demand, or if the person liable becomes insolvent (s 10(2)). The lien is registered by lodging a notice in the form approved by the Registrar-General, containing the prescribed information (s 10(3)), and stating the court in which the action to enforce it will be brought (s 10(5)). A notice over Real Property Act land is treated as a caveat for section 191 purposes (s 12). The lien ceases unless an action to enforce it is brought within 14 days of registration (s 15).

When you need it

• You are a builder, tradesperson, contractor, sub-contractor or worker who has not been paid for work on, or materials for, land or a fixture on it.
• The work or materials were provided with the express or implied assent of the owner or occupier.
• You can register within 28 days after the money became due, and are ready to start court proceedings within 14 days of registration.

1. 1

   Land description

   Define the land precisely: whole of the certificate of title or Crown lease, or a portion identified by plan. For a subsidiary interest such as a lease, describe it and the title it is registered on (prefix LN2).

2. 2

   Lienor

   Give the full name, address and occupation of the person lodging the lien. For a company, the guidance notes suggest describing its business, for example 'A.B. Co. Pty Ltd (plumbing supplies)'.

3. 3

   Lienee

   Give the name and address of the registered proprietor the lien is against. If there are several proprietors, name only the one the lien is lodged against. If the lienee's interest is not registered, strike out 'Registered Proprietor'.

4. 4

   Details of claim

   State the amount claimed in words and figures and what it is for (for example earthworks, materials supplied or building construction). The Worker's Liens Regulations 2026 also require the notice to say whether the claim is under section 4 or section 5 of the Act, and that the work was done with the assent of the owner or occupier.

5. 5

   Enforcement court

   Name the court in which the action to enforce the lien will be brought: the Supreme, District or Magistrates Court, generally depending on the amount. For the Magistrates Court, include the registry.

6. 6

   Date and certification

   Date the form and complete the certification for the lienor, deleting statements that do not apply. Verification of identity must always be complied with.

• Liens (prefixes LN and LN2) executed on or after 8 April 2024 must be lodged electronically through an Electronic Lodgement Network Operator. Exemptions include a lien over part of the land in a title, or multiple lienors not represented by a single subscriber.
• Exempt and self-represented lodgements are made on paper. Land Services SA lists liens among the priority dealing types that industry members may lodge Face to Face under an exemption, paying by cheque, cash or card.
• Registration deadline: within 28 days after the money becomes due (s 10(1)). Enforcement deadline: action must be brought within 14 days of registration or the lien ceases (s 15).
• A registration fee applies. Check Land Services SA's current fee schedule.

• The lien attaches only to the unpaid part of the contract price payable by the owner or occupier when they get notice of the lien, except for workers employed directly by the owner or occupier (s 6).
• Lodging a lien vexatiously or without reasonable grounds can lead to compensation or penalties (ss 33, 34), and an affected person can apply to the court to cancel it (s 32).
• The current Form LN (Version 3) has no dedicated box for the section 4 or 5 basis that the 2026 regulations require, so state it in the details of claim.