How Much Does a Conveyancer Cost in Australia? (2026)
| City | Typical range | Year on year |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney | $950–$2,000 | ↑ +3.0% |
| Melbourne | $850–$1,900 | ↑ +3.0% |
| Brisbane | $750–$1,700 | ↑ +2.5% |
| Perth | $800–$1,800 | ↑ +2.5% |
| Adelaide | $700–$1,550 | ↑ +2.0% |
| Gold Coast | $750–$1,700 | ↑ +2.5% |
| Canberra | $900–$2,000 | ↑ +3.0% |
| Newcastle | $750–$1,700 | ↑ +2.5% |
| Sunshine Coast | $750–$1,700 | ↑ +2.5% |
| Wollongong | $800–$1,800 | ↑ +2.5% |
| Geelong | $750–$1,700 | ↑ +2.5% |
| Townsville | $700–$1,600 | ↑ +2.0% |
| Hobart | $700–$1,600 | ↑ +2.0% |
| Darwin | $900–$2,000 | ↑ +3.0% |
Conveyancer Cost by City
Conveyancing is the legal work of transferring a property from seller to buyer: reviewing the contract, running the searches, exchanging and settling. In Australia it is done by a licensed conveyancer or a solicitor, and settlement happens electronically through PEXA.
Detailed Pricing — Australia 2026
| Tier | Professional fee | What it funds |
|---|---|---|
| Online / fixed-fee conveyancer (sale) | $500–$1,200 | Simple sale, standard title, handled remotely via PEXA. |
| Licensed conveyancer (standard purchase) | $800–$1,800 | Contract review, searches, exchange and settlement on a standard residential buy. |
| Solicitor (standard residential) | $1,500–$3,200 | Same work with a lawyer. Mandatory in QLD and ACT where there is no licensed-conveyancer profession. |
| Complex matters | $2,500–$5,000+ | Off-the-plan, strata with issues, trusts or SMSF, easements, caveats, disputed titles. |
| Disbursements (on top of any tier) | $300–$800 | Title searches, council and water certificates, PEXA and registration fees at cost. |
You're in.
A local agency will be in touch about your job. No spam, no middleman.
Getting quotes for Conveyancer work in Australia? Get a quote from a verified local conveyancer — free, no obligation.
Get quotes →What actually moves the price
- Conveyancer vs solicitor. A licensed conveyancer is cheaper for standard matters; a solicitor costs more and is compulsory in Queensland and the ACT.
- Buying vs selling. Purchases involve more searches and lender liaison than sales.
- Complexity. Off-the-plan, strata with issues, trusts, SMSFs, easements or caveats push the fee into the complex tier.
- Disbursements. Title searches, council and water certificates and PEXA fees are passed through at cost on top of the professional fee.
- State. NSW metro contracts are heavier and dearer; Queensland and Victoria sit lower.
Conveyancer or solicitor?
A licensed conveyancer is the right call for a standard residential purchase or sale with a clean title.
Use a solicitor for anything with legal complexity — disputes, unusual title conditions, commercial or development land — and anywhere conveyancers can't act.
The honest test: if your contract has a clause you don't understand after the conveyancer explains it, you want a solicitor.
Red flags when comparing conveyancers
- A headline price that excludes disbursements. Ask for the all-in estimate.
- Not licensed in your state, or no professional indemnity insurance.
- No fixed-fee quote for a standard matter.
- Slow to return calls before you've signed. It won't improve after.
- Recommended by the selling agent without disclosure.
How to keep the cost sane
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Methodology
Prices on this page are compiled from publicly available cost guides, leading tradie marketplaces, peak industry body data, and individual tradesperson websites across Australia. We cross-reference ranges from multiple sources and adjust for city-specific cost differences based on advertised rates, salary data, and cost-of-living indicators. Our price guides are produced independently. Pricing is compiled from public quotes, industry rate guides, and marketplace data, and no tradesperson can influence a published figure. All prices are estimates and will vary based on your specific job. Always get multiple quotes. Last reviewed August 2026. Read our full methodology →