Conveyancing Costs in Australia — What You'll Pay

Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring property ownership. It is a mandatory part of every property transaction, and the costs vary by state, property complexity, and whether you use a licensed conveyancer or a solicitor. Here is what to expect.

What Conveyancing Involves

For a standard residential property purchase, conveyancing includes:

Reviewing the contract of sale and advising on conditions, risks, and potential issues
Conducting title and property searches (council rates, water charges, land tax clearances, encumbrances)
Liaising with your lender to ensure loan documents are ready and coordinating with the lender's solicitors
Calculating adjustments for rates, water, and body corporate fees between the parties
Attending or managing settlement (increasingly via PEXA electronic settlement)
Stamping the transfer and paying stamp duty to the state revenue authority
Registering the transfer of title on the land titles register

Typical Conveyancing Fees by State

Fees vary by state and complexity. These are approximate ranges for a standard residential purchase:

State	Conveyancer Fee	Solicitor Fee
NSW	$1,200–$2,200	$1,500–$3,000
VIC	$1,000–$1,800	$1,500–$2,500
QLD	$1,000–$1,800	$1,500–$2,500
WA	$1,500–$2,500	$2,000–$3,500
SA	$900–$1,800	$1,200–$2,500
TAS	$1,000–$1,800	$1,500–$2,500
ACT	$1,200–$2,000	$1,500–$2,800
NT	$1,200–$2,000	$1,500–$2,500

These fees are for the professional service component only. Disbursements (searches, government fees, PEXA fees) are charged separately and typically add $500–$1,200 to the total.

What Is NOT Usually Included in the Quoted Fee

Always confirm what is included in any quote. Common extras not included in the base fee:

Search fees: Title, council, water, land tax, and other searches — typically $300–$800 in total
PEXA transaction fee: Electronic settlement platform fee — approximately $130–$220 per transaction
Stamp duty: This is a government tax, not a conveyancing fee, but your conveyancer organises the payment
Off-the-plan or complex transactions: Strata developments, unit titles, and rural properties often attract higher fees

Conveyancer vs Solicitor — Which Should You Use?

Licensed conveyancers are specialists in property transfer — they do this and only this. Conveyancers are licensed under state-specific regulations (e.g. the Conveyancers Licensing Act in NSW) and are generally suitable for standard residential purchases.

Property solicitors have a broader legal qualification and can advise on related legal matters — disputes, contract interpretations, unusual title issues, off-the-plan complications. For a standard purchase, a licensed conveyancer is typically adequate. For complex transactions (off-the-plan, development sites, disputed properties), a solicitor may be preferable.

Get two or three quotes. Conveyancing fees are not regulated, so prices vary. When comparing, confirm what disbursements are included in the quote and ask specifically whether there are additional charges for PEXA, searches, or government fees.

DIY Conveyancing

DIY conveyancing is technically legal in most states (not in NSW, where you must be a licensed conveyancer or solicitor). It is not recommended for most buyers — the cost saving ($1,000–$2,000) is not worth the risk of missing a title defect, a delayed settlement, or a loan documentation error on what is likely the largest financial transaction of your life.

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