You can negotiate minor defects, but it really depends on the vendor and how competitive the property is. If it’s a hot market, most sellers won’t bother fixing anything unless it’s a major defect. But if the property has been sitting for a while, sellers are usually more open to remediating small issues—especially if your request is reasonable and backed by a proper building and pest inspection report.

As for the clause wording, yes, you can customise it in Australia. There’s no rule that you must stick to the standard phrasing. Your solicitor or conveyancer can help you add wording similar to the “100% satisfied” clause you used in NZ. It just has to be agreed upon by both parties.

A lot of buyers these days use platforms like Service Tasker to quickly book reputable inspectors and get detailed reports. Having a solid report and clear clause upfront makes your offer look more serious and gives you more room to negotiate on defects—major or minor.