Signing a will
Queensland: A will must be signed by – the testator; or someone else, in the presence of and at the direction of the testator. http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/qld/consol_act/sa1981138/s10.html
New South Wales:
A will is not valid unless it is signed in the presence of 2 or more witnesses, by the testator or by some other person in the presence of and at the direction of the testator. Such signature must be made with the intention of executing the will, but it is not essential that the signature be at the foot of the will. http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/sa2006138/s6.html
Northern Territory
A will is not valid unless it is signed by the testator or by some other person in the presence of and at the direction of the testator in the presence of 2 or more witnesses. Such signature must be made with the intention of executing the will, but it is not essential that the signature be at the foot of the will. http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nt/consol_act/wa91/s8.html
South Australia:
A will is not valid unless it is signed by the testator or by some other person in the presence of and at the direction of the testator in the presence of 2 or more witnesses. Such signature must be made with the intention of executing the will. The signatures of the witnesses must be made or acknowledged in the presence of the testator (but not necessarily in the presence of each other). http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/sa/consol_act/wa193691/s8.html
Tasmania:
A will is not valid unless it is signed by the testator or by some other person in the presence of and at the direction of the testator in the presence of 2 or more witnesses. Such signature must be made with the intention of executing the will. The signatures of the witnesses must be made or acknowledged in the presence of the testator (but not necessarily in the presence of each other). http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/tas/consol_act/wa200891/s8.html
Victoria:
A will is not valid unless it is signed by the testator or by some other person in the presence of and at the direction of the testator in the presence of 2 or more witnesses. Such signature must be made with the intention of executing the will. The signatures of the witnesses must be made or acknowledged in the presence of the testator (but not necessarily in the presence of each other). http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/vic/consol_act/wa199791/s7.html
Western Australia:
a will is not valid unless it is signed by the testator or signed his representative in his presence and by his direction, in such place on the will so that it is apparent on the face of the will that the testator intended to give effect by the signature to the writing signed as the testator’s will; the testator makes or acknowledges the signature in the presence of at least 2 witnesses present at the same time. http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/wa/consol_act/wa197091/s8.html
ACT:
A will is not valid until it is signed at the foot or end by the testator, or by another person in the presence of and by the direction of the testator; and such signature is made or acknowledged by the testator in the presence of 2 or more witnesses present at the same time. http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/act/consol_act/wa196891/s9.html
Draft Wills Bill 1997:
A will is not valid unless the signature is made/acknowledged by the testator in the presence of 2 or more witnesses present at the same time. http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lrc.nsf/pages/R85APPENDIXA
