How Much Does Conveyancing Cost in Australia?
Conveyancing refers to the legal process of transferring property ownership, and fees can vary significantly based on your location, the complexity of the transaction, and the person you choose. In 2025, average conveyancing fees across Australia typically range from $1,000 to $2,500 for standard residential transactions, this includes professional services and disbursements. This guide breaks down everything you need to know, from national averages to state specific breakdowns, factors influencing prices, and tips to minimise expenses.
What is Conveyancing?
Conveyancing is the legal transfer of property ownership from one party to another, handled by licensed conveyancers or solicitors. It involves three main stages: pre-contract (preparing or reviewing documents), pre-settlement (preparing documents for transfer and liaising with the relevant parties) and settlement (completing the PEXA transfer and lodging forms notifying parties of a change in ownership). In Australia, this process ensures all legal requirements are met, including property searches, contract exchanges, and handling government fees like stamp duty (though stamp duty itself is separate from conveyancing fees).
Proceeding without the right conveyancer can involve risks, these include delays, legal disputes, or even voided transactions.
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Average Conveyancing Fees in Australia
Nationally, conveyancing costs for a straightforward residential property transaction average between $1,000 and $1,800 in 2025, but can climb to $3,000 or more for complex transactions. These figures include professional fees (for the conveyancer's or solicitor's expertise) and disbursements (third-party expenses like searches and certificates).
- Professional Fees: Typically, $600–$1,400, charged as a flat rate.
- Disbursements: Add $200–$500, covering essential checks like title searches ($20–$100), council and water certificates ($53–$133), land tax clearance certificates ($20–$25), body corporate or strata certificates ($100-$250)
Conveyancing Costs by State
Costs vary by state due to differing disclosure requirements and settlement timelines. Below is a comparison table of average and range fees for standard residential conveyancing (including GST but excluding stamp duty). Averages are based on public data from multiple sources; always get personalised quotes.
| State/Territory | Average Fee | Fee Range | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales (NSW) | $1,650 | $800–$3,000 (metro: $1,000–$3,000; regional: $800–$2,200) | Includes strict vendor disclosures; 5 day cooling off period; disbursements, $300–$500. |
| Victoria (VIC) | $1,280 | $600–$1,400 | 3 day cooling off; disbursements under $400; upfront fee disclosure required. |
| Queensland (QLD) | $1,050 | $500–$1,300 | 5 day cooling off; disbursements, $200–$450. |
| Western Australia (WA) | $1,410 | $700–$1,600 | No cooling off; disbursements, $300–$600; 4–6 week settlement. |
| South Australia (SA) | $1,270 | $700–$1,600 | 2 day cooling off; Form 1 disclosure required; disbursements, $250–$500. |
| Tasmania (TAS) | $1,280 | $700–$1,600 | No standard cooling off; priority notices for buyers; disbursements, $200–$400. |
| Australian Capital Territory (ACT) | $1,570 | $700–$1,600 | 5 day cooling off; similar to NSW rules; disbursements, $300–$500. |
| Northern Territory (NT) | $1,875 | $1,000–$2,500 (estimated) | Higher averages due to remote factors; limited data, but follows national trends. |
These ranges account for both conveyancers and solicitors. Metro areas like Sydney or Melbourne tend to be pricier than regional spots.
Several elements can increase or decrease your total bill:
- Transaction Complexity: Simple residential transactions cost less than an Off the Plan (OTP) transactions due to time and increased work.
- Company: Conveyancing is charged fixed fee across the industry. Additional costs may be incurred for complex transactions where extra work falls outside of the transaction scope and requires solicitor help (billed per hour).
- Property Type and Value: Higher-value or commercial properties may use sliding-scale fees. For example, an apartment requires strata searches and some may have multiple strata plans, one for the building and one for the car park.
- Buyer vs. Seller: Sellers often pay more for contract preparation; buyers will arrange for a contract review and pre purchase inspections.
- Additional Services: e-Conveyancing platforms like PEXA add $130-$170, mandatory verification of identity (VOI) checks $40-$50, and miscellaneous expenses like postage $20–$40.
Before signing contracts, ensure to engage a professional to confirm costs and avoid pitfalls.
Standard fees cover:
- Pre-contract: Review of the contract and accompanying conditions (optional), drafting the contract and assistance navigating questions or identified issues.
- Pre-Settlement: Arranging VOI checks and required document completion, advice for issues arising from inspections and other due diligence checks, liaising with bank/broker/third parties, settlement adjustments, and confirming final figures for settlement.
- Settlement: Document exchange, registration, and final statements.
- Disbursements: Separate costs include searches and certificates.
Additional Costs to Consider When Buying or Selling Property
Beyond conveyancing:
- Stamp Duty: Varies by state and property value (e.g., exemptions for first-home buyers).
- Pexa/State Fees: Lodgement and settlement charges.
- Inspections: Building/pest reports ($300–$600).
- Other: Mortgage discharge fees, agent commissions (for sellers). You should consult relevant parties to confirm these amounts for your budget.
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Buying vs Selling: Key Cost Differences
- Buyers: Focus on contract review, searches, stamp duty, and transfers. Costs can be up to $800–$2,000.
- Sellers: Handle contract preparation and seller disclosure requirements; slightly higher at $900–$2,200.
Both parties pay their own conveyancer to avoid conflicts.
How Much Does a Conveyancer Cost?
- Compare quotes from multiple providers.
- Be aware of cheap options as they often involve poorer service and difficulty resolving issues, leading to higher costs in the end.
- Many firms provide negotiation as a part of their services.
Shop around: You can always negotiate discounts.
Choosing the Right Conveyancer or Solicitor
Look for licensed professionals with insurance, positive reviews, and membership in bodies like the Australian Institute of Conveyancers. Ask about experience, fees, and timelines. Your real estate agent can recommend locals, but always do your research.
This article is provided for general information purposes only. Its content is current at the date of publication. It is not legal advice and is not tailored to meet your individual needs. You should obtain specialist advice based on your specific circumstances before taking any action concerning the matters discussed in this article.
