# Property Boundary DXF: A CAD File of Any Property

By Tom Brennan, published 15 September 2026. Source: https://planinsight.com.au/blog/property-boundary-site-data-autocad/


The fastest way to start an AutoCAD site plan is a **property boundary DXF**: one file with the lot boundary, lot label, buildings, contours, watercourses and hazard overlays, each on its own named layer, in metres. You can build that CAD file of a property by hand from state government data, or search the address in PlanInsight and download it in a couple of minutes.

![Property boundary DXF open in AutoCAD with buildings and contours](/img/marketing/shots/dxf-cad.png)

## Cadastral data download: the manual way

1. Find the lot in the state viewer: [QLD Globe](https://qldglobe.information.qld.gov.au/), SIX Maps, [VicPlan](https://mapshare.vic.gov.au/vicplan/), [Location SA](https://location.sa.gov.au/viewer/), [PlanWA](https://espatial.dplh.wa.gov.au/PlanWA/Index.html), [theLIST](https://www.thelist.tas.gov.au/) or [ACTmapi](https://www.actmapi.act.gov.au/).
2. Download cadastre, buildings, contours and hydrography as separate extracts, usually SHP.
3. In QGIS, clip to the lot, reproject to metres and export each layer to DXF.
4. Look up planning overlays separately and trace them.

The data is good, but it is a GIS job for every site. See the [QLD Globe](/blog/qld-globe-export-dxf/) and [SIX Maps](/blog/six-maps-export-dxf-nsw-cadastre-contours/) walkthroughs.

## Property boundary DXF download in PlanInsight

Only need the boundary? The [free property boundary DXF tool](/tools/property-boundary-download/) needs no account and gives you the `BOUNDARY` and `PARCEL_LABEL` layers.

For the full site base:

1. **Search.** Type the address into **Address** under **Quick Search** and click **Look Up Property**. For a lot and plan search, use **Property Lookup** → **By Lot / Plan**, or **By Map**.
2. **Confirm the lot.** Check **Lot Number**, **Plan Number** and **Area (m²)** in **Property Details**.
3. **Click Download DXF** at the top of the property page.
4. **Pick layers.** **Base** holds **Property Boundary** and **Parcel Label**. **Spatial Overlays** holds state layers such as **Building Outlines**, **Watercourse** and **Elevation Contours**. **Hazard Overlays** appears only when hazards were found on the lot.
5. **Click Download** and open it in AutoCAD, Civil 3D, BricsCAD or QGIS.

Every layer is included on every plan. Start with a 14-day free trial, no credit card.

## What the DXF includes

Every state gets boundary, buildings and watercourses. Contours cover every state and the NT, but not the ACT. Flood and bushfire overlays cover every state except the NT, which has storm surge and acid sulfate soils instead; landslide, acid sulfate and coastal layers vary by state (in NSW, "coastal" means coastal management areas). The [property boundary DXF page](/property-boundary-dxf/) has the full breakdown.

Layers are fixed, so you can freeze or recolour them: `BOUNDARY`, `PARCEL_LABEL`, `BUILDING`, `CONTOUR_MINOR`/`MAJOR`/`INDEX` with elevation labels, `WATERCOURSE`, and `OVERLAY_*` layers with matching `_FILL` layers. Everything is clipped to the lot plus a small margin.

## Placing it on your drawing

- **DXF R12, in metres.** Not a DWG; save as DWG from AutoCAD if needed.
- **Local coordinates, not MGA.** The lot sits near 0,0. To combine with a survey, `MOVE` a boundary corner onto the surveyed corner, or `ALIGN` with two.
- **Xref it** so you can refresh site data without touching design layers.

This is concept data, not survey-grade. The cadastre can be out by metres in rural areas, and any easements shown are indicative, so check the title. Anything lodged or set out needs a registered surveyor.

## How do I find property boundaries in QLD?

Run a lot and plan search in QLD Globe or PlanInsight's **By Lot / Plan** tab. For the registered plan, see [how to download a QLD survey plan](/blog/qld-survey-plan-download-lot-on-plan/).

## Where are property boundary maps for NSW and property boundaries in Victoria?

NSW has SIX Maps; Victoria has VicPlan. Neither gives you a layered site DXF in one step, so search the address in PlanInsight instead.

## Related guides

- [Cadastral boundary DXF for AutoCAD or Civil 3D](/blog/cadastral-boundary-dxf-autocad-civil-3d/)
- [Flood and bushfire overlays into CAD](/blog/flood-bushfire-overlays-lot-cad/)
- [Contours DXF](/contours-dxf/) and [hazard overlays](/hazard-overlays/)