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Deed of Guarantee and Indemnity (Australia)

A Deed of Guarantee and Indemnity is the document an Australian bank, landlord, franchisor, or supplier requires when extending credit to a proprietary company — making the directors (and sometimes related parties) personally liable for the company's obligations. Our free template covers all five common scenarios (loan, lease, franchise, supply, trade credit) and is execution-ready under <em>Corporations Act 2001</em> (Cth) s. 127 with the right Statute of Frauds writing requirement for every State.

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DEED OF GUARANTEE AND INDEMNITY
Executed As A Deed Under The Laws Of New South Wales, Australia · 15 May 2026
BENEFICIARY (BANK OR AUTHORISED DEPOSIT-TAKING INSTITUTION)
Westpac Banking Corporation
Level 20, 275 Kent Street, Sydney NSW 2000
ACN 007 457 141
PRINCIPAL DEBTOR
Harbour Digital Pty Ltd
Level 10, 1 Martin Place, Sydney NSW 2000
ACN 634 891 257
GUARANTOR 1
Sarah J. Mitchell
8 Banksia Avenue, Wahroonga NSW 2076
GUARANTOR 2
James T. O'Brien
12 Coolong Road, Vaucluse NSW 2030
Underlying Obligation: Loan Facility
Maximum Liability: AUD 750,000
This Deed of Guarantee and Indemnity (this "Deed") is made on 15 May 2026 between Westpac Banking Corporation (the "Beneficiary"), Harbour Digital Pty Ltd (ACN 634 891 257) (the "Principal Debtor"), and the Guarantors named above. The Beneficiary has agreed to enter into or continue the underlying Loan Facility with the Principal Debtor in reliance on the Guarantor's guarantee and (where elected) indemnity set out in this Deed.
1.
THE GUARANTEE

In consideration of the Beneficiary entering into or continuing the underlying Loan Facility with the Principal Debtor, the Guarantor (and each of them jointly and severally where applicable) UNCONDITIONALLY AND IRREVOCABLY GUARANTEES to the Beneficiary the due and punctual performance, observance, and discharge by the Principal Debtor of all the Principal Debtor's obligations under the underlying contract, including without limitation: (a) the payment of all sums due and payable by the Principal Debtor (principal, interest, default interest, fees, costs, and expenses); (b) the performance of all non-monetary obligations of the Principal Debtor; and (c) the indemnification of the Beneficiary for any loss arising from breach by the Principal Debtor.

Maximum Liability: The total liability of the Guarantor under this Deed shall not exceed AUD 750,000 in aggregate. The cap applies only to the principal sum guaranteed and does not limit liability for interest accrued, default interest, enforcement costs, or amounts recovered as indemnity under any indemnity clause of this Deed.

2.
UNDERLYING OBLIGATION

The obligation guaranteed by this Deed is the Loan Facility: Business Loan Facility Agreement dated 15 May 2026 between Westpac Banking Corporation and Harbour Digital Pty Ltd for a principal amount of AUD 750,000, with a term of 5 years and a variable interest rate referenced to the BBSW + 2.50% margin., dated 15 May 2026. The Principal Debtor and the Beneficiary are parties to that underlying contract. The Guarantor acknowledges receipt of (or the opportunity to obtain) a copy of the underlying contract and has had the opportunity to read and understand its terms before entering into this Deed.

This Deed is a separate and independent obligation of the Guarantor and operates as a primary obligation. It is not merely surety in the strict legal sense — the Guarantor is liable to perform and pay even if the underlying contract is unenforceable against the Principal Debtor, is set aside, or is varied in a manner that would discharge a strict surety.

3.
DEMAND AND PAYMENT

Upon any default by the Principal Debtor under the underlying contract, the Beneficiary may make written demand on the Guarantor for payment or performance under this Deed. The Guarantor shall pay or perform within five (5) business days of receiving such demand, without set-off, counter-claim, deduction, or withholding of any nature, and free and clear of any tax (other than any tax required by law to be deducted, in which case the Guarantor shall pay an additional amount to gross up the payment to the amount that would have been received had no deduction been required).

The Beneficiary is not required to first take action against the Principal Debtor or any other guarantor, exhaust any security held, or take any other step before making demand on the Guarantor.

4.
EXECUTION AS A DEED

The parties intend this document to be executed as a deed at common law and in equity. By executing this document as a deed, no separate "consideration" is required for the Guarantor's promise to be binding — the deed itself is sufficient. Where a Guarantor is a company, the Guarantor will execute this Deed in accordance with Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) s. 127 — by two directors, a director and the company secretary, or (for a proprietary company) the sole director and sole secretary. Electronic signing of this Deed is valid under Corporations Act 2001 s. 110A for company parties and under the relevant State Electronic Transactions Act for individual parties.

This Deed is subject to the Statute of Frauds writing requirement applicable in New South Wales and is signed by each party in compliance with that requirement.

5.
GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION

This Deed shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New South Wales, Australia and the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia applicable in New South Wales. The parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of New South Wales (including the Supreme Court of New South Wales and the Federal Court of Australia exercising jurisdiction in New South Wales) for the resolution of any dispute arising under or in connection with this Deed.

6.
INDEMNITY

In addition to the guarantee above, the Guarantor INDEMNIFIES AND HOLDS HARMLESS the Beneficiary against, and shall pay on demand, all losses, damages, costs, charges, expenses, claims, demands, actions, suits, and proceedings of any nature (collectively, "Losses") suffered or incurred by the Beneficiary arising directly or indirectly from: (a) any default by the Principal Debtor under the underlying contract; (b) any unenforceability, voidability, frustration, or set-aside of the underlying contract for any reason; (c) any insolvency event affecting the Principal Debtor (including winding up under Corporations Act 2001 Chapter 5 or bankruptcy under the Bankruptcy Act 1966); and (d) the enforcement of this Deed (including legal costs on a solicitor-and-own-client basis).

The indemnity is a primary obligation of the Guarantor — the Beneficiary may recover under this indemnity without first proceeding against the Principal Debtor or any security. This indemnity does NOT extend to consequential loss — only direct loss suffered by the Beneficiary is recoverable under this clause. Consequential loss recovery (if any) sits under the underlying contract or general law.

7.
CONTINUING NATURE AND ALL-MONEYS COVERAGE

Continuing guarantee: This Deed is a continuing guarantee and indemnity. It is not discharged by any intermediate settlement of accounts, satisfaction of any part of the secured obligation, or change in the parties (whether by amalgamation, restructuring, change of name, or otherwise). It remains in full force and effect until the Beneficiary releases the Guarantor in writing.

8.
INDEPENDENT LEGAL ADVICE (ILA) AND GUARANTOR ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Guarantor confirms that the Guarantor has, before signing this Deed:

(a) Received independent legal advice from Rebecca L. Patterson of Patterson and Co Solicitors, dated 14 May 2026, who is an Australian legal practitioner not acting for the Beneficiary in connection with this transaction;

(b) Understood the nature and effect of this Deed, including the personal nature of the obligations, the rights of the Beneficiary to make demand without first proceeding against the Principal Debtor, and the continuing / all-moneys / unlimited nature of the guarantee (where applicable);

(c) Understood the risks of signing — including the risk of personal bankruptcy, loss of the family home or other personal assets, and adverse consequences for the Guarantor's credit history;

(d) Acted voluntarily and not under any undue influence, duress, or unconscionable pressure from the Principal Debtor, the Beneficiary, any other Guarantor, or any other person; and

(e) Read the underlying contract or had the opportunity to do so.

The Guarantor acknowledges that these confirmations are relied upon by the Beneficiary in accepting this Deed, and any later denial of any of them shall give rise to a separate breach of contract action by the Beneficiary against the Guarantor.

9.
AUSTRALIAN CONSUMER LAW — UNFAIR CONTRACT TERMS (9 NOVEMBER 2023)

The parties acknowledge the Unfair Contract Terms (UCT) regime that commenced on 9 November 2023 under the Australian Consumer Law (Schedule 2 to the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth)) and the ASIC Act 2001. From that date, including an "unfair term" in a standard-form small-business or consumer contract is a contravention attracting penalties of up to AUD 50 million, or three (3) times the benefit derived, or 30% of the company's adjusted turnover during the breach period — whichever is greater. The "small business" threshold from 9 November 2023 is: the business employs fewer than 100 employees OR has annual turnover of less than AUD 10 million.

Compliance review: The Beneficiary confirms that the Beneficiary has actively reviewed this Deed against the UCT regime under ACL ss. 23-28 and considers that no term in this Deed is unfair within the meaning of ACL s. 24. Each term that limits the Guarantor's liability or grants discretion to the Beneficiary is reasonably necessary to protect the Beneficiary's legitimate interests in providing the underlying Loan Facility.

Transparency (ACL s. 24(3)): The parties confirm that the terms of this Deed are transparent — expressed in reasonably plain language, legible, presented clearly, and readily available to any party affected by the term before signing. The Guarantor has had a reasonable opportunity to read each term and to seek independent legal advice (see ILA clause where elected).

To the extent that the Principal Debtor or any Guarantor is a "small business" within the meaning of ACL s. 23, the parties agree that all terms of this Deed have been the subject of genuine commercial negotiation, are reasonably necessary to protect the legitimate interests of the Beneficiary, and do not cause significant imbalance in the parties' rights and obligations within the meaning of ACL s. 24(1)(a).

10.
JOINT/SEVERAL LIABILITY, SET-OFF WAIVER, AND CO-GUARANTOR ARRANGEMENTS

Joint and Several Liability: Each Guarantor is liable to the Beneficiary jointly and severally. The Beneficiary may proceed against any one Guarantor for the full amount owing under this Deed without first proceeding against the others.

Set-off and Counter-claim Waiver: The Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally waives any right of set-off, counter-claim, deduction, or withholding that the Guarantor may have against the Beneficiary, the Principal Debtor, or any other Guarantor in respect of any payment due under this Deed. Each payment must be made in full when due, in cleared funds.

Co-Guarantor Indemnity Acknowledgement: Each Guarantor acknowledges that, having paid more than the Guarantor's proportionate share under this Deed, the Guarantor may have a right of contribution from the other Guarantor(s) at common law and in equity. The Beneficiary takes no position on such contribution arrangements as between the Guarantors. Any such contribution is to be resolved between the Guarantors and does not affect the Beneficiary's right to recover the full amount from any individual Guarantor.

11.
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Entire Agreement: This Deed constitutes the entire agreement between the parties in respect of the guarantee and indemnity and supersedes all prior negotiations, representations, and arrangements relating to that subject matter.

Amendment: This Deed may only be amended by deed signed by all parties.

Severability: If any provision of this Deed is held to be unenforceable in whole or in part, the remaining provisions remain in full force and effect; any unenforceable part is severed only to the extent necessary.

Notices: All notices and demands under this Deed shall be in writing and delivered personally, by registered post, or by email to the addresses set out on the parties page. Notices given by email are deemed received on the day of transmission if sent during business hours, otherwise on the next business day.

Counterparts: This Deed may be executed in any number of counterparts (including electronic counterparts), each of which is an original and which together form one and the same Deed under Corporations Act 2001 s. 110A and the relevant State Electronic Transactions Act.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date indicated.
BENEFICIARY
Westpac Banking Corporation
Date: ____________________
GUARANTOR 1
Sarah J. Mitchell
Date: ____________________
GUARANTOR 2
James T. O'Brien
Date: ____________________

What Is a Deed of Guarantee and Indemnity?

A <strong>Deed of Guarantee</strong> is a separate contract under which a third party (the Guarantor) promises a Beneficiary to perform an obligation if the Principal Debtor defaults. The classic Australian application is a director's personal guarantee of a proprietary company's bank loan or commercial lease — the lender accepts the company as the primary obligor but takes the directors' personal worth as fall-back security. A pure guarantee is a <em>secondary</em> obligation: if the underlying contract is unenforceable, set aside, or varied without the guarantor's consent, the guarantee may be discharged. To plug those gaps, most Australian commercial guarantees are drafted as a combined <strong>Deed of Guarantee AND Indemnity</strong> — adding a primary indemnity right that survives defects in the underlying contract (<em>Sunbird Plaza Pty Ltd v Maloney</em> (1988) 166 CLR 245).

Australian guarantees must be in <strong>writing</strong> and <strong>signed</strong> by or on behalf of the Guarantor — a requirement that traces to the <em>Statute of Frauds 1677</em> (Imp) and which has been preserved in the State property and contracts statutes (e.g., NSW <em>Conveyancing Act 1919</em> s. 54A, Vic <em>Instruments Act 1958</em> s. 126, Qld <em>Property Law Act 1974</em> s. 56). Because deeds do not require consideration to be binding (unlike ordinary contracts), Australian banks and prudent commercial lenders execute guarantees as deeds rather than as simple contracts — so the Guarantor cannot later challenge the document for "want of consideration".

Since 9 November 2023, the <em>Australian Consumer Law</em> (Schedule 2 to the <em>Competition and Consumer Act 2010</em>) makes the use of <strong>unfair contract terms</strong> in standard-form small-business contracts a contravention with massive penalties — the greater of AUD 50 million, three times the benefit derived, or 30% of adjusted turnover during the breach period. The small-business threshold also expanded: a contract counts as "small business" if the other party employs fewer than 100 employees or has annual turnover under AUD 10 million. Properly drafted Deeds of Guarantee now include UCT compliance acknowledgements; over-broad or one-sided terms can be struck down and trigger the penalties. For personal guarantees, <strong>Independent Legal Advice (ILA)</strong> from a solicitor not acting for the Beneficiary is highly recommended and is now standard practice in Australian bank lending (<em>Garcia v National Australia Bank</em> (1998) 194 CLR 395).

What's Covered in This Template

Our Australian Deed of Guarantee and Indemnity covers every standard element a Beneficiary will require.

Beneficiary Details

Beneficiary name (bank / landlord / franchisor / supplier / lender), ACN, and address — auto-categorised to drive the correct role label.

Principal Debtor

Company being guaranteed — name, ACN, and address, with the deed wording adapting to the underlying obligation.

Up to 3 Guarantors

Individual or company guarantors, including ACN where the guarantor is a corporate vehicle.

Underlying Obligation Selector

Commercial Lease, Loan Facility, Franchise Agreement, Supply Contract, Trade Credit Account, or Other — drives the correct clause wording.

Monetary Cap (optional)

Choose unlimited liability (co-extensive with debtor) or a specific AUD cap on principal sum (interest, costs, indemnity uncapped).

Deed Execution Wording

Express deed language with Corporations Act 2001 s. 127 corporate execution and State Statute of Frauds writing acknowledgement.

5-Day Demand Mechanism

Beneficiary may demand payment or performance, payable within 5 business days without set-off or counter-claim.

Governing Law and Jurisdiction

Exclusive jurisdiction of the State Supreme Court and the Federal Court of Australia exercising jurisdiction in that State.

Expert: Direct Indemnity Clause

Primary indemnity surviving any defect in the underlying contract, with optional consequential-loss extension.

Expert: Continuing & All-Moneys

Continuing guarantee not discharged by intermediate settlement; optional all-moneys clause (Sunbird Plaza).

Expert: Independent Legal Advice

ILA solicitor name, firm, and advice date — recommended for personal guarantees to defend against undue influence challenges.

Expert: ACL UCT Compliance + Joint/Several

UCT 9 Nov 2023 acknowledgement (AUD 50M penalty regime), transparency (ACL s. 24(3)), joint/several liability, set-off waiver, co-guarantor contribution.

How to Create a Deed of Guarantee and Indemnity

Follow these steps to produce an execution-ready deed compliant with Australian corporate and consumer law.

  1. 1

    Identify the Beneficiary, Debtor, and Guarantors

    Enter the Beneficiary (lender / landlord / franchisor / supplier) with ACN where a company, the Principal Debtor (proprietary or public company) with mandatory ACN, and up to three Guarantors (individuals or companies).

  2. 2

    Describe the Underlying Obligation

    Choose one of six obligation types — Commercial Lease, Loan Facility, Franchise Agreement, Supply Contract, Trade Credit Account, or Other — and describe the underlying contract: parties, principal sum, term, interest rate, and date. The Guarantor confirms receipt or opportunity to obtain a copy.

  3. 3

    Cap or Uncap the Liability

    Decide whether liability is unlimited (co-extensive with the debtor — the standard bank position) or capped at a specific AUD amount (the standard franchise / trade-credit position). The cap covers principal only; interest, default interest, costs, and indemnity remain uncapped.

  4. 4

    Add Expert Protections

    Add a direct indemnity (for bank lending), continuing guarantee (for revolving facilities), all-moneys clause (for ongoing relationship), ILA acknowledgement (for personal guarantees), UCT compliance acknowledgement (for small-business debtors), joint/several liability, and set-off waiver.

  5. 5

    Execute as a Deed Under s. 127

    Individual Guarantors sign in the presence of one witness (over 18 and not a party). Company Guarantors execute under Corporations Act 2001 s. 127 — two directors, a director and the secretary, or (for proprietary companies) the sole director and sole secretary. Electronic signing is valid under s. 110A. Keep the deed in counterparts where signed in different locations.

Legal Considerations

Personal guarantees are among the highest-risk commercial documents an Australian can sign — they can put the family home, retirement savings, and personal credit on the line.

This template is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Personal Deeds of Guarantee carry significant risk including potential bankruptcy and loss of personal assets. Australian banks, prudent commercial lenders, and good legal practice require <strong>Independent Legal Advice</strong> before signing — a solicitor independent of the Beneficiary explains the nature, effect, and risks of the guarantee and provides an ILA certificate. Seek advice before signing, especially where the Guarantor is a spouse, parent, or other related party to the directors of the Principal Debtor.

Reviewed for Australian corporate and consumer law

Guarantee vs Indemnity — The Critical Distinction

A pure <strong>guarantee</strong> is a secondary obligation — the Guarantor only pays if the Principal Debtor defaults, and the Guarantor inherits all the defences the Debtor would have. If the underlying contract is set aside (e.g., for misrepresentation, illegality, or unenforceability under the Statute of Frauds), the guarantee falls with it. An <strong>indemnity</strong> is a primary obligation — the Guarantor undertakes to compensate the Beneficiary for any loss directly, regardless of whether the Principal Debtor is liable. The High Court confirmed in <em>Sunbird Plaza Pty Ltd v Maloney</em> (1988) 166 CLR 245 that an indemnity can survive defects that would discharge a strict guarantee. Combining both creates the strongest position: Beneficiary can rely on the guarantee mechanism for clear defaults and the indemnity for everything else.

Independent Legal Advice (ILA) — Garcia and Beyond

In <em>Garcia v National Australia Bank</em> (1998) 194 CLR 395, the High Court set aside a wife's guarantee given for her husband's business loans on grounds of unconscionable conduct by the lender — the wife had not received independent legal advice and did not understand the nature of the document. Since Garcia, Australian banks routinely require <strong>Independent Legal Advice</strong> from a solicitor not acting for the lender. A standard ILA certificate confirms: (1) the lawyer is independent; (2) the lawyer explained the nature and effect of the guarantee; (3) the lawyer explained key risks (personal liability, enforcement, costs, continuing / all-moneys nature); (4) the guarantor appeared to understand the advice and signed voluntarily; (5) the certificate is signed and dated by the lawyer. ILA does not eliminate all challenges but is highly persuasive against later defences of undue influence, non est factum, or special-disability unconscionability (<em>Commercial Bank of Australia v Amadio</em> (1983) 151 CLR 447).

ACL Unfair Contract Terms — 9 November 2023 Reforms

From <strong>9 November 2023</strong>, the <em>Australian Consumer Law</em> (Schedule 2 to the <em>Competition and Consumer Act 2010</em>) makes the inclusion of an "unfair term" in a standard-form small-business or consumer contract an offence attracting penalties of up to <strong>AUD 50 million</strong>, or three times the benefit derived, or 30% of the company's adjusted turnover during the breach period — whichever is the greater. Each unfair term is a separate contravention. The small-business threshold expanded: a contract is now caught if the other party employs <strong>fewer than 100 employees</strong> or has annual turnover under <strong>AUD 10 million</strong>. Australian banks and major commercial lenders have undertaken substantial drafting reviews to comply; smaller commercial counterparties should expressly acknowledge UCT compliance in the deed, confirm the terms are transparent (ACL s. 24(3)), and demonstrate that any term limiting the Guarantor's rights is reasonably necessary to protect the Beneficiary's legitimate interests.

Execution Under Corporations Act s. 127 — Avoiding Voidable Deeds

A company guarantor must execute the deed correctly to bind itself. <em>Corporations Act 2001</em> (Cth) <strong>s. 127</strong> sets out three ways: (a) two directors sign; (b) a director and the company secretary sign; or (c) for a proprietary company, the sole director and sole secretary sign (which can be the same person). A common seal may be affixed in accordance with the company's constitution. Sign-and-witness execution must be on the same physical document where a common seal is used — split execution is not permitted for sealed deeds (although Treasury Laws Amendment Act 2023 introduced permanent electronic signing for non-sealed deeds under s. 110A). Where a guarantor is a foreign company, the equivalent execution under the company's constitution must be evidenced and the Beneficiary should obtain an Australian solicitor's opinion on enforceability.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Choose the underlying obligation, identify the Guarantors and Beneficiary, optionally add a cap, ILA acknowledgement, UCT compliance, and joint/several liability — and produce a Corporations Act-compliant PDF ready for s. 127 execution.

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