Conveyancing in Australia: What It Is and What It Costs
What is conveyancing, how much does it cost in Australia, and do you need a conveyancer or solicitor? Plain-English guide with 2025-26 cost ranges.
By Timothy Hirou GaschereauPublished 9 min read
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Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring ownership of a property from one person to another. Every time a property changes hands in Australia, it has to happen. It sounds dry, and honestly it kind of is, but it is what stops you from unknowingly buying a home with a debt registered against the title or an easement you never agreed to.
Here is what a conveyancer actually does, what it costs in 2025-26, whether you need a conveyancer or a solicitor, and how to choose a good one. General information only, not legal advice, and rules and costs vary by state.
🎯 The essential: Conveyancing is the legal transfer of property ownership: contract review, title and council searches, rate adjustments, and settlement. A licensed conveyancer handles a standard purchase and is usually cheaper than a solicitor (in Queensland, solicitors do it). Budget roughly $1,000 to $3,200 all up for a standard purchase (professional fee $800 to $2,500 plus disbursements). Stamp duty is a separate government tax, not a conveyancing fee. Engage your conveyancer before you sign, not after.
What conveyancing is
Conveyancing transfers legal ownership of a property from seller to buyer. Without it, you could end up with a property that has a debt registered against it, an easement letting the council dig up your backyard, or a caveat from a third party claiming an interest in the title. A licensed conveyancer or solicitor makes sure the title is clean, the contract is fair, and the money moves correctly on settlement day. It applies to both buyers and sellers.
What a conveyancer actually does
- Reviews the contract of sale before you sign (in Victoria, the Section 32 vendor statement; other states have equivalents).
- Runs a title search to confirm ownership and check for encumbrances, caveats and easements.
- Arranges council, water and planning searches.
- Calculates adjustments for council rates, water and body corporate fees so you only pay your share from settlement.
- Liaises with the other party and your lender.
- Prepares and checks transfer documents and coordinates settlement, now usually electronic via PEXA.
- Flags any issues, such as unusual clauses or search results that need attention.
Conveyancer vs solicitor: which do you need?
Both can handle a standard transaction; the difference is scope and cost:
| Licensed conveyancer | Solicitor | |
|---|---|---|
| Handles | Property transfers and searches | Transfers plus broader legal matters |
| Complex legal issues? | No (outside scope) | Yes |
| Typical professional fee | $800-$1,800 | $1,200-$2,800+ |
| Best for | Standard purchase or sale | Complex deals, disputes, deceased estates |
State notes: in Queensland, licensed conveyancers cannot practise, so solicitors do it; the ACT has its own licensing rules. Everywhere else, a licensed conveyancer is usually fine for a standard home. Either way, make sure they are licensed and hold professional indemnity insurance, and if they do not, walk away.
How much conveyancing costs
The all-up cost depends on your state, property type and complexity. For a standard residential purchase, a realistic 2025-26 budget is $1,000 to $3,200+, split between the professional fee and disbursements:
| Cost component | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Professional fee (conveyancer or solicitor) | $800-$2,500 |
| Title search | $20-$50 per search |
| Council, water and planning searches | $100-$500+ |
| PEXA / electronic settlement fee | ~$50-$180 |
| Strata / body corporate report (units) | $200-$420 |
| All-up budget (standard purchase) | $1,000-$3,200+ |
Two things worth repeating: selling is usually cheaper than buying (fewer searches), and stamp duty is not a conveyancing fee. Stamp duty is a separate state tax that can run to tens of thousands of dollars, so use our stamp duty guide and check whether you qualify for a first home buyer concession.
Can you do your own conveyancing?
Technically yes, in some states (DIY kits exist in Victoria and South Australia). But the biggest catch: most lenders will not allow DIY conveyancing when there is a mortgage, because the bank needs a professional to handle its security interest. So if you are borrowing, DIY is almost certainly off the table. Even for cash buyers, missing a caveat or misreading a clause can cost multiples of the professional fee you were trying to save. For most people, paying a professional is the sensible call.
When to engage a conveyancer
Earlier than you think: ideally before you sign the contract, so they can review it, and at the latest before the cooling-off period ends.
- At auction: there is usually no cooling-off period, so engage before auction day. If you win, you are committed.
- Private sale: most states give a short cooling-off period after signing, but the length varies.
- Selling: engage when preparing to list, so they can prepare the contract (and, in Victoria, the Section 32) before the property goes to market.
The conveyancing process, step by step
- Engage your conveyancer before signing or during the cooling-off period.
- Contract review: they check the contract and flag issues.
- Searches and due diligence: title, council, water and planning searches.
- Finance confirmation: your lender formally approves the loan.
- Adjustments calculated for rates and fees at settlement date.
- Transfer documents prepared and signed.
- Settlement (usually electronic via PEXA): funds and title transfer, and the property is yours.
- Post-settlement: keys handed over, council and water authority notified.
Start to settlement is typically four to six weeks for a standard purchase, longer for complex ones.
How to choose a conveyancer
- Get two or three fixed-fee quotes and compare what is included versus charged as extras.
- Check they are licensed in your state (via your consumer affairs/fair trading office).
- Confirm professional indemnity insurance.
- Ask about PEXA and whether the settlement fee is included.
- Ask how they communicate and how quickly they respond; this matters most near settlement.
- Look for reviews and referrals from your broker, agent or friends, and check the Australian Institute of Conveyancers directory.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What is conveyancing in Australia?
+
Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring property ownership from one person to another. It involves reviewing the contract of sale, running title and property searches, preparing transfer documents, and coordinating settlement. Both buyers and sellers need it.
How much does conveyancing cost in Australia?
+
For a standard residential purchase, budget roughly $1,000 to $3,200 all up, depending on your state and property type. The professional fee alone is typically $800 to $2,500, with disbursements (searches, government fees, PEXA) charged on top. Get a fixed-fee quote and ask exactly what is included.
Do I need a conveyancer or a solicitor?
+
For a standard residential purchase or sale, a licensed conveyancer is usually adequate and often cheaper. A solicitor makes more sense for complex transactions, deceased estates, unusual clauses or disputes. Note that in Queensland, solicitors handle all conveyancing because licensed conveyancers cannot practise there.
Can I do my own conveyancing?
+
In some states DIY is technically legal, but most lenders will not allow it when a mortgage is involved. Even for cash buyers, missing a caveat, easement or contract issue can cost far more than the professional fee. For most people, paying a professional is the sensible call.
When should I hire a conveyancer?
+
Ideally before you sign the contract, so they can review it first, and at the latest before the cooling-off period ends. If you are buying at auction, engage before auction day, because there is no cooling-off period after an auction in most states.
What is the difference between conveyancing fees and stamp duty?
+
Conveyancing fees pay your conveyancer for their services and searches. Stamp duty (transfer duty in some states) is a separate state government tax on the purchase, calculated on the price, and can run to tens of thousands of dollars. Your conveyancer helps you understand it, but it is not part of their fee.
Keep reading
The bottom line
Conveyancing is one of the smaller line items in a property purchase and one of the most worthwhile: a licensed pro reviews the contract, clears the title and gets you to settlement in one piece. Get a couple of fixed-fee quotes, engage them before you sign, and do not confuse their modest fee with the much bigger stamp duty bill.
📚 Recommended reading
The Barefoot Investor
Scott Pape
The Barefoot Investor
Scott Pape
Australia's best-selling money book ever. A simple system for accounts, budgeting, debt and a real emergency fund in one.
Making Money Made Simple
Noel Whittaker
Making Money Made Simple
Noel Whittaker
Australia's classic, comprehensive money guide covering tax, super and investing, updated for today.
Money School
Lacey Filipich
Money School
Lacey Filipich
Lacey Filipich shows how to buy back your time, not just budget your dollars, with a clear path from saving to financial independence. It is refreshingly Australian and genuinely doable, even if maths was never your thing.
Some links above are affiliate links. If you buy through them, Snowball Invest may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend books we'd suggest anyway.
Sources
This article is general information only, not legal or financial advice. Property law, conveyancing costs and cooling-off rules vary by state and territory. Get advice from a licensed conveyancer or solicitor before making decisions about a property transaction.
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General information only. This article is educational and does not constitute personal financial advice. It does not account for your circumstances. Consider your own situation and seek advice from a licensed adviser before acting. Read our full disclaimer.
Timothy Hirou Gaschereau
Founder of Snowball Invest, not a financial adviser.
I write about what I'm learning myself, because nobody ever taught us how to take control of our own money. It's a skill, not a mystery, and it's never too late to learn it. The best day to start was yesterday, the second best is today.
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