Updated October 2026· Independently researched·14 min read
Conveyancing in Australia costs $800–$1,800 in professional fees with a licensed conveyancer or $1,500–$3,200 with a solicitor for a standard residential purchase in 2026, plus $300–$800 in disbursements; NSW metro sits highest and Queensland lowest.
Typical Conveyancer fees by city — What’s The Damage’s October 2026 re-verification across 90+ sources. National movement: +2.5% year on year.
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.
Quick answerConveyancing in Australia costs $800–$1,800 in professional fees with a licensed conveyancer or $1,500–$3,200 with a solicitor for a standard residential purchase in 2026, plus $300–$800 in disbursements; NSW metro sits highest and Queensland lowest. Get free quotes →
Detailed Pricing — Conveyancer Cost in 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.
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 fees at cost (transfer registration and stamp duty are separate).
You're in.
A local conveyancer will be in touch about your enquiry. No spam, no middleman.
Getting quotes for Conveyancer work in Australia? Get a quote from a verified local conveyancer — free, no obligation.
What Actually Moves the Conveyancer Cost in Australia
Conveyancer vs solicitor. A licensed conveyancer is cheaper for standard matters; a solicitor costs more.
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 Conveyancer Cost Sane in Australia
1
Get the all-in figure in writing: professional fee plus itemised disbursements.
2
Use a licensed conveyancer, not a solicitor, for a clean standard matter where the state allows it.
3
Online fixed-fee conveyancers are often cheaper for straightforward sales.
4
Engage before you sign, not after: Contract review before exchange is where the value is.
5
For an investment property, keep the invoice: the fee is added to your cost base.
Frequently Asked Questions — Conveyancer Cost in Australia
How much does conveyancing cost in Australia?
Typically $800–$1,800 in professional fees with a licensed conveyancer or $1,500–$3,200 with a solicitor for a standard residential purchase, plus $300–$800 in disbursements.
What are disbursements?
Out-of-pocket costs your conveyancer pays on your behalf — title searches, council and water certificates, land tax clearance, PEXA fees — passed on at cost; government transfer registration fees and stamp duty are separate and depend on the price.
Do I need a solicitor or a conveyancer?
A licensed conveyancer handles standard residential matters. A solicitor is needed for complex transactions.
Who pays conveyancing fees, buyer or seller?
Each side pays its own conveyancer.
Are conveyancing fees tax deductible?
Not for your own home. For an investment property they're added to the cost base and reduce capital gains tax on sale.
Can I do my own conveyancing?
Legally yes in most states. Practically, one missed encumbrance costs more than a decade of conveyancing fees.
Our Methodology
These are independent estimates from public cost guides, marketplaces and industry rate data, and no provider can influence them, so always get a few quotes. Last reviewed October 2026. Read our full methodology →
Compare Conveyancer Cost in Australia with Related Guides