Cost guide · Updated April 2026

How much do conveyancer cost in Australia? (2026)

Complete 2026 cost guide for conveyancer in Australia. Price ranges by service, hidden fees, cost-saving tips, and average fees in each capital city.

Written by Compare Conveyancers editorial team · Updated 15 April 2026 · 4 min read

How much do conveyancer cost in Australia in 2026?

Standard residential conveyancing in Australia in 2026 costs $700-$2,500 in professional fees, plus $300-$800 in disbursements (title searches, council and water certificates, rates certificates). Total $1,000-$3,300. Online conveyancers like Settle Easy and Lawlab offer fixed fees from $770. Traditional conveyancers charge $1,200-$2,000. Solicitor-led conveyancing $1,500-$4,000. Off-the-plan and commercial work is more expensive due to contract complexity. Always get a written fixed-fee quote that includes disbursements.

Pricing data compiled from 5 providers across 6 service categories, updated April 2026.

Key takeaways

  • Typical price range in Australia: $600 and $10,000.
  • Capital city pricing runs 15–25% higher than regional Australia for most services.
  • Most providers offer a free initial quote or consultation — never pay for this.
  • Comparing 3 quotes saves an average of 18% versus accepting the first offer (ACCC data).
  • Ask for itemised quotes; flat-rate quotes often hide exclusions.

Conveyancer pricing by service

Here's how pricing breaks down by service type:

ServiceTypical costWhat's included
Buyer Conveyancing$700 — $2,000Conveyancing for buying residential property — contract review, title search, settlement.
Seller Conveyancing$600 — $1,800Conveyancing for selling residential property — vendor statement, contract preparation, settlement.
Off-The-Plan Purchase$2,000 — $5,000Specialised conveyancing for new apartments and house-and-land packages.
Property Transfer$700 — $2,000Transfers between family members, divorce settlements, and estate transfers.
Commercial Conveyancing$3,000+Commercial property transactions, retail leases, and business premises.
Subdivision and Strata$3,000 — $10,000Subdivision applications, strata title, and dual occupancy projects.

Common hidden fees to watch for

Even with a "fixed price" quote, conveyancer can add surcharges. The most common:

  • After-hours or weekend premiums (often 50–100% on top of standard rates)
  • Travel/callout fees for addresses outside their standard service area
  • Material or third-party costs passed through at markup (ask for receipts)
  • Cancellation fees if you change your mind after booking
  • Additional assessments or follow-up appointments not quoted upfront

Pricing by city

Based on our 5-provider dataset, typical conveyancer pricing varies by city:

CityTypical rangeNotes
MelbourneUpper metro pricingLarge supply, competitive on volume
SydneyHighest metro pricingPremium market, 10–15% above Melbourne
BrisbaneMid-tier metroGrowing market, good value for specialist care
PerthMid-tier metroFewer providers, more personal service
AdelaideLowest metro pricingExcellent value, limited premium options

How to save money on conveyancer

  • Always get 3 quotes for like-for-like scope — saves 15–20% on average
  • Book outside peak periods where possible (avoid school holidays, end of financial year)
  • Ask providers to match a lower quote you've received in writing
  • Check if a basic service tier meets your needs before upgrading
  • Read the exclusions section of quotes carefully; ask specifically what's NOT included
  • Use a comparison service (like this one) to pre-qualify providers and get bundled quotes

Frequently asked questions

How much do conveyancer cost in Australia in 2026?

Standard residential conveyancing in Australia in 2026 costs $700-$2,500 in professional fees, plus $300-$800 in disbursements (title searches, council and water certificates, rates certificates). Total $1,000-$3,300. Online conveyancers like Settle Easy and Lawlab offer fixed fees from $770. Traditional conveyancers charge $1,200-$2,000. Solicitor-led conveyancing $1,500-$4,000. Off-the-plan and commercial work is more expensive due to contract complexity. Always get a written fixed-fee quote that includes disbursements.

How much should conveyancing cost in Australia in 2026?

Standard residential conveyancing in Australia in 2026 costs $700-$2,500 in professional fees, plus $300-$800 in disbursements (title searches, council and water certificates, rates certificates). Total $1,000-$3,300. Online conveyancers like Settle Easy and Lawlab offer fixed fees from $770. Traditional conveyancers charge $1,200-$2,000. Solicitor-led conveyancing $1,500-$4,000. Off-the-plan and commercial work is more expensive due to contract complexity. Always get a written fixed-fee quote that includes disbursements.

What does a conveyancer actually do?

Your conveyancer: reviews the contract before you sign, conducts title searches and verifies legal ownership, orders council and water certificates, calculates stamp duty and arranges payment, prepares all settlement documents, liaises with your bank for mortgage settlement, attends settlement on your behalf (or organises electronic settlement via PEXA), arranges title transfer and registration. They are your legal representative for the entire transaction. They prevent you from inheriting unpaid rates, undisclosed easements, or contract issues that could cost you thousands.

Who pays for conveyancing — buyer or seller?

Each party pays their own conveyancer. Buyers and sellers each engage their own conveyancer or solicitor — neither party pays the other's legal fees. Both fees are typically paid at settlement, deducted from the settlement funds (for sellers, from sale proceeds; for buyers, added to the purchase amount). Some online conveyancers offer "no upfront fee — pay at settlement" as a feature.

How much should conveyancing cost in Australia in 2026?

Standard residential conveyancing in Australia in 2026 costs $700-$2,500 in professional fees, plus $300-$800 in disbursements (title searches, council and water certificates, rates certificates). Total $1,000-$3,300. Online conveyancers like Settle Easy and Lawlab offer fixed fees from $770. Traditional conveyancers charge $1,200-$2,000. Solicitor-led conveyancing $1,500-$4,000. Off-the-plan and commercial work is more expensive due to contract complexity. Always get a written fixed-fee quote that includes disbursements.

How long does a property purchase take to settle?

Standard settlement periods in Australia: New South Wales typically 42 days, Victoria 30-60 days, Queensland 30-45 days, Western Australia 35-60 days. The exact period is negotiated in the contract. Settlement timeline starts at exchange of contracts (after cooling-off) and includes time for the buyer to arrange finance and the conveyancer to do pre-settlement checks. Cash buyers can settle in 14-21 days. Off-the-plan settlements can take 12-36 months depending on construction.

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