How Much Does Conveyancing Cost in Australia? 2026 Price Guide
Understand the full cost of conveyancing in Australia for 2026. This guide breaks down professional fees, disbursements, state-based stamp duty, and hidden charges so you can budget accurately for your property transaction.
Reviewed 22 July 2026
What conveyancing covers and why costs vary
Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring property ownership from one party to another. It involves preparing and reviewing contracts, conducting property searches, liaising with banks, and managing settlement. Costs vary because each transaction is unique — factors include the property type, location, complexity, and whether you use a licensed conveyancer or a solicitor.
In Australia, conveyancing fees are not regulated by a national schedule. Instead, each state and territory has its own legal framework, and providers set their own prices. This means fees can differ significantly between providers, even for similar services. Understanding what is included in a quote helps you compare apples with apples.
Contract preparation and review
Title searches and property certificates
Liaison with lenders and real estate agents
Settlement coordination and attendance
Registration of transfer and mortgage documents
Professional fee ranges by state and provider type (licensed conveyancer vs solicitor)
Professional fees are the charges for the conveyancer's time and expertise. A licensed conveyancer charges $800 to $1,500 for their professional work; a solicitor $1,200 to $2,500. Factors influencing professional fees include transaction complexity, property value, conveyancer experience, disbursements, and property location. Strategies to reduce conveyancing fees include comparing quotes, considering no-frills conveyancers, and enquiring about fixed-fee options.
Licensed conveyancers generally charge less than solicitors due to narrower scope
Solicitors can provide broader legal advice for complex transactions
Fees influenced by transaction complexity, property value, experience, disbursements, and location
Compare quotes, consider no-frills options, and ask about fixed-fee packages
Typical disbursements and out-of-pocket costs itemised
Disbursements are third-party costs paid on your behalf during the conveyancing process. They are separate from professional fees and are usually passed on at cost. Common disbursements include title searches, council and water rates certificates, land tax certificates, and registration fees.
The professional conveyancing fee is usually flat and does not scale with the purchase price; however, the Land Registry Services transfer registration fee does scale with property value. Ask your conveyancer for a full schedule of expected disbursements upfront.
Title searches and property certificates
Council and water rates certificates
Land tax certificates
Transfer registration fee (scales with property value)
Mortgage registration fee
PEXA/Sympli platform fee (where applicable)
Total cost examples for common property scenarios
Total conveyancing costs combine professional fees, disbursements, and GST. Stamp duty is a separate major cost paid by the buyer. Because professional fees and disbursements vary by provider, property type, and jurisdiction, it is essential to obtain an itemised quote for your specific transaction.
Use official state revenue office calculators to estimate stamp duty before making an offer, as duty can add tens of thousands of dollars to your purchase cost.
Professional fees + disbursements + GST = base conveyancing cost
Stamp duty calculated separately based on state, value, and buyer type
Request itemised quotes from multiple providers for accurate comparison
Factor in first home buyer concessions where eligible
State-specific stamp duty and transfer duty overview
Stamp duty (called transfer duty in some states) is a major cost paid by the buyer. Rates are progressive and vary by state, property value, and buyer type. In NSW, transfer duty applies on a sliding scale, with a 9% foreign purchaser surcharge on residential property from 1 January 2025. Foreign persons acquiring residential-related property in NSW may be liable for surcharge purchaser duty.
Landholder duty may apply if a significant interest in a company or unit trust scheme with landholdings over $2 million is acquired. Other states and territories (Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, the ACT, and the Northern Territory) each set their own duty schedules. Most offer concessions or exemptions for first home buyers, pensioners, and certain property types. Duty is generally due at settlement or within 30 days of contract exchange, depending on the jurisdiction.
NSW: progressive transfer duty rates; 9% foreign purchaser surcharge from Jan 2025
Foreign persons acquiring residential property in NSW may pay surcharge purchaser duty
Landholder duty may apply for significant interests in landholding entities over $2M
Each state/territory sets its own duty rates, thresholds, and concessions
Duty typically due at settlement or within 30 days of exchange
First home buyer concessions and exemptions by state
Every state and territory offers some form of stamp duty relief for eligible first home buyers. These can significantly reduce or eliminate duty on homes up to a certain value. Eligibility criteria typically include being an Australian citizen or permanent resident, occupying the home as your principal place of residence within a set period, and not having previously owned property in Australia.
In NSW, first home buyers may be entitled to a concessional rate of transfer duty, or even an exemption from paying it altogether under the First Home Buyers Assistance scheme (FHBAS). Other states have similar schemes with varying thresholds. Concessions often apply only to the duty component — you still pay conveyancing fees and disbursements. Check your state revenue office website for current thresholds and application processes.
All states/territories offer first home buyer duty relief
NSW: First Home Buyers Assistance scheme (FHBAS) provides concessions/exemptions
Eligibility typically requires citizenship/residency, owner-occupation, and no prior ownership
Concessions apply to duty only, not conveyancing fees or disbursements
Verify current thresholds on your state revenue office website
Hidden costs, surcharges, and fee transparency tips
Beyond professional fees and standard disbursements, several additional costs can arise. These include foreign purchaser surcharges (e.g., 9% in NSW from 2025), landholder duty for significant interests in landholding entities, land tax adjustments, strata levies and special levies, and adjustments for council rates, water, and body corporate fees at settlement.
Revenue NSW warns of scams related to duty payments and communications between buyers and their solicitor or conveyancer. Always verify payment requests with your solicitor or conveyancer. GST applies to professional fees but not to most disbursements. Consumer protection laws require conveyancers to disclose fees clearly. Always request a written quote that separates professional fees, disbursements, and GST, and confirm whether the quote is fixed or estimated.
Foreign purchaser surcharge (NSW: 9% from 2025)
Landholder duty for significant interests in landholding entities over $2M
Strata special levies and sinking fund adjustments
Land tax, council rate, and water adjustments at settlement
GST on professional fees (10%) but not on most disbursements
Request itemised written quote and costs agreement
Verify payment requests to avoid scams
Online vs traditional conveyancers: cost and service differences
Online conveyancers operate with lower overheads and often offer fixed-fee packages. They typically communicate via email, phone, and secure portals. Traditional firms may charge more but offer face-to-face meetings and local knowledge, which can be valuable for complex or regional transactions.
Both types must be licensed and insured. Online providers can be efficient for straightforward purchases and sales, but may lack capacity for unusual issues like boundary disputes, rural title issues, or complex strata schemes. Check reviews, response times, and whether a dedicated conveyancer handles your file. Cost should not be the only factor. Consider communication style, experience with your property type, and whether they use electronic settlement platforms like PEXA or Sympli.
Online conveyancers: lower overheads, digital communication, often fixed-fee
Traditional firms: in-person service, local expertise, may handle complex issues better
Both must be licensed and hold professional indemnity insurance
Verify experience with your property type (strata, rural, off-the-plan)
Check reviews, response times, and dedicated file handling
Electronic settlement is now mandatory or strongly encouraged in most Australian jurisdictions. The Intergovernmental Agreement for an Electronic Conveyancing National Law (IGA) established the Australian Registrars' National Electronic Conveyancing Council (ARNECC) and the Electronic Conveyancing National Law (ECNL) to facilitate eConveyancing. PEXA (Property Exchange Australia Ltd) is an Electronic Lodgement Network Operator (ELNO) operating under the ECNL framework.
The regulatory framework under the ECNL includes Model Operating Requirements (MOR) for ELNOs and Model Participation Rules (MPR) for subscribers; each registrar has an agreement/licence with each ELNO encompassing the MOR plus additional jurisdiction-specific conditions. Platforms like PEXA and Sympli charge a per-transaction fee, which is passed on as a disbursement. This fee covers the digital lodgement of transfer and mortgage documents and the electronic transfer of funds at settlement. Confirm with your conveyancer whether the platform fee is included in your quote.
IGA and ECNL established national eConveyancing framework
PEXA is an ELNO operating under ECNL
MOR and MPR set operational and participation standards
Each jurisdiction has additional conditions for ELNOs
Per-transaction platform fee passed on as disbursement
Mandatory or strongly encouraged in most jurisdictions
How to compare quotes and choose the right conveyancer
When comparing quotes, look beyond the headline professional fee. Request a full breakdown including all disbursements, GST, and any potential additional charges. Ask whether the quote is fixed or estimated, and what circumstances could increase the cost.
Check the conveyancer's licence status via your state's fair trading or consumer affairs website. Read recent reviews and ask about their experience with your specific property type and location. Confirm they use electronic settlement and have professional indemnity insurance.
Consider engaging a conveyancer early — ideally before signing a contract — so they can review the contract and advise on special conditions. A good conveyancer adds value by identifying risks early, not just processing paperwork. You can also explore conveyancers, compare, nsw, vic, and qld. You can also explore conveyancers, compare, nsw, vic, and qld.
Request itemised written quote (fees + disbursements + GST)
Confirm fixed vs estimated pricing and variation triggers
Verify licence and insurance via state fair trading register
Check reviews and ask about relevant experience
Engage before contract signing for contract review
Prioritise communication and responsiveness over lowest price
Frequently asked questions
What factors influence the cost of conveyancing in Australia?
Conveyancing costs are influenced by transaction complexity, property value, conveyancer experience, disbursements, and property location. Professional fees are usually flat and do not scale with purchase price, while Land Registry Services transfer registration fees do scale with property value.
Are conveyancing fees fixed or negotiable?
Many conveyancers offer fixed-fee packages for standard transactions, but fees can vary if the transaction becomes complex. Strategies to reduce fees include comparing quotes, considering no-frills conveyancers, and enquiring about fixed-fee options. Always confirm in writing whether the quote is fixed or estimated.
What disbursements are typically included in conveyancing?
Common disbursements include title searches, council and water rates certificates, land tax certificates, transfer and mortgage registration fees, and electronic settlement platform fees (e.g., PEXA). These are passed on at cost.
Does stamp duty apply in every state?
Yes, all states and territories impose stamp duty (or transfer duty/conveyancing duty) on property purchases, but rates, thresholds, and concessions differ. In NSW, transfer duty is administered by Revenue NSW and applies on a sliding scale.
Can first home buyers avoid stamp duty completely?
In many states, eligible first home buyers can receive a full stamp duty exemption on homes up to a certain value. In NSW, first home buyers may be entitled to a concessional rate of transfer duty, or even an exemption under the First Home Buyers Assistance scheme (FHBAS). Check your state revenue office for current rules.
What is the foreign purchaser surcharge in NSW?
From 1 January 2025, foreign persons acquiring residential-related property in NSW must pay a 9% surcharge purchaser duty on top of standard transfer duty.
Is electronic conveyancing mandatory in Australia?
Electronic settlement via platforms like PEXA or Sympli is mandatory or strongly encouraged in most Australian jurisdictions. The ECNL framework, established by the Intergovernmental Agreement, governs ELNOs like PEXA and sets Model Operating Requirements and Participation Rules.
Should I use a solicitor or a licensed conveyancer?
Licensed conveyancers specialise in property transactions and are usually more cost-effective for standard deals. Solicitors can provide broader legal advice, which may be needed for complex matters like disputes, trusts, or off-the-plan risks.
How can I avoid scams during the conveyancing process?
Revenue NSW warns of scams related to duty payments and communications between buyers and their solicitor or conveyancer. Stay vigilant and verify any payment requests directly with your solicitor or conveyancer before transferring funds.
When should I engage a conveyancer?
Ideally before signing a contract. A conveyancer can review the contract, explain special conditions, and identify risks early. For sellers, engage before listing to prepare the contract and vendor disclosure documents.
Important information
This article provides general information only and is not legal advice. Consider obtaining advice from a qualified Australian legal professional about your circumstances.
Sources
Conveyancing cost calculator: buying, selling, refinancingThe professional conveyancing fee is usually flat and does not scale with the purchase price; however, the Land Registry Services transfer registration fee does scale with property value.