Pre-Purchase Property Due Diligence
Independent soil testing, heavy metals screening, and on-farm inspection for rural property buyers across Southern Queensland and Northern NSW.
Get a QuoteBuying a rural property is one of the biggest decisions you will make. Whether it is a lifestyle block, a grazing operation, or productive cropping country, the condition of the soil and land can make or break the investment. Problems like hidden contamination, degraded pastures, or unmanaged weed pressure are not always obvious during a standard property inspection.
Dawson Agriculture provides independent, agronomist-led due diligence for property buyers across Southern Queensland and Northern New South Wales. We assess soil condition, screen for heavy metals against national health standards, evaluate pasture and vegetation, assess cropping potential, and identify issues that could affect your plans for the property.
Our reports give you clear, practical information so you can buy with confidence, negotiate from a position of knowledge, or walk away before it is too late.
Who Is This For
What We Assess
Heavy Metals Screening
We collect composite soil samples across the property and test for heavy metals including arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, and other trace elements through Nutrient Advantage laboratory services. Results are compared against NEPM (2013) Health Investigation Level A (HIL-A) thresholds, the national standard for residential land with accessible soil. You receive a clear pass or flag outcome for each analyte.
Pasture Species and Condition
We walk the property and identify the dominant pasture species, assess ground cover, and evaluate overall pasture condition. This tells you whether the country is well managed, overgrazed, or in need of renovation, and what it will take to bring it up to standard.
Vegetation and Timber
We identify key tree and shrub species, note any regrowth or vegetation management obligations, and flag potential issues with protected species or vegetation management plans that could restrict future land use.
Cropping Potential and Nutrient Status
For properties being purchased for broadacre cropping, we conduct a full nutrient analysis including soil carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and trace elements. We assess crop type suitability based on soil type and climate, and provide guidance on crop rotation options to help you plan your first seasons on the country.
General Property Condition
We note visible issues that may affect the land value or your plans: erosion, waterlogging, weed infestations, old chemical storage areas, infrastructure condition, and anything else that stands out during the inspection.
Service Packages
Soil Screen
Best for lifestyle blocks and small acreage
- 4 composite soil samples
- Heavy metals screening panel
- NEPM HIL-A comparison
- Clear pass/flag summary
- Branded PDF report
+ GST | Price varies by property size. Travel may apply outside Toowoomba region.
Get StartedStandard Due Diligence
Best for grazing and mixed-use properties
- Everything in Soil Screen
- On-farm property inspection
- Pasture species and condition assessment
- Vegetation and timber ID
- General property condition notes
- Branded due diligence report
+ GST | Price varies by property size. Travel may apply outside Toowoomba region.
Get StartedComprehensive Due Diligence
Best for cropping country and larger investments
- Everything in Standard
- Full nutrient analysis including soil carbon
- Crop type suitability and rotation guidance
- Water testing (bore or dam)
- Weed mapping and management notes
- Erosion and land condition assessment
- Detailed agronomic baseline report
+ GST | Price varies by property size. Travel may apply outside Toowoomba region.
Get StartedAdd-Ons
How It Works
Get in Touch
Call us or fill out the form below with your property details, settlement timeline, and what you need assessed. We will confirm a package and book the inspection.
We Inspect and Sample
Our agronomist visits the property, walks the country, collects soil samples, and documents the condition of pastures, vegetation, and infrastructure.
Lab Analysis
Samples go to Nutrient Advantage (Incitec Pivot) for analysis. Results are compared against NEPM HIL-A health thresholds and agronomic benchmarks.
Your Report
You receive a branded Dawson Agriculture report with clear results, plain-language interpretation, and practical recommendations. Typically delivered within 10 to 14 business days.
Frequently Asked Questions
From inspection to final report, allow 10 to 14 business days. We can often accommodate tighter timelines if needed. Contact us to discuss your settlement date.
Yes. We will need access to walk the property and collect soil samples. If you are purchasing through an agent, we can coordinate access.
Samples are analysed by Nutrient Advantage (Incitec Pivot), one of Australia's leading agricultural laboratories.
We compare results against the NEPM (2013) Health Investigation Level A (HIL-A) thresholds, which are the Australian standard for residential land with accessible gardens. We can also assess against other land-use categories if required.
No. This is a screening-level assessment designed for property buyers. It provides a reliable indication of soil condition and contamination risk for typical rural property purchases. For regulatory, remediation, or development purposes, a full NEPM site assessment by a contaminated land consultant may be required.
Yes. Our standard screening covers arsenic, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, lead, molybdenum, selenium, vanadium, and other trace elements. If you have concerns about additional analytes, contact us to discuss a tailored testing package.
We operate across Southern Queensland and Northern NSW, including the Darling Downs, Lockyer Valley, South Burnett, Western Downs, Granite Belt, and Border Rivers regions.
We are not accountants and cannot provide tax advice. Speak to your accountant about whether pre-purchase due diligence costs are deductible in your circumstances.
Know what you are buying.
Get independent, agronomist-led due diligence before you sign. We are here to help you make an informed decision.
Get a QuoteRequest a Quote
Tell us about the property you are looking at and we will get back to you within one business day.
Request a QuoteOr email us at admin@dawsonag.co