---
title: "Conveyancing Fees in Australia 2026: Costs by State and Hidden Extras"
url: "https://agentfind.com.au/conveyancing-fees-australia-by-state/"
markdown_url: "https://agentfind.com.au/conveyancing-fees-australia-by-state.md"
type: "post"
date_published: "2026-09-28T21:00:37+00:00"
date_modified: "2026-09-28T21:01:00+00:00"
language: "en-US"
renderer_version: "3"
---

# Conveyancing Fees in Australia 2026: Costs by State and Hidden Extras

## Summary

Professional fees for conveyancing run from around $500 in Queensland to $3,000 or more in metropolitan NSW, before disbursements of $300 to $800. Here is what drives the price in each state, what a quote must include, and the extras that catch buyers and sellers out.

## Content

*By the AgentFind Editorial Team — Australian Property Professional Directory, Sydney*

 ![Couple signing property documents at a desk](https://agentfind.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/photo-1664463760781-f159dfe3af30-1-1024x683.jpg)The quote on page one is rarely the whole bill. Ask what sits underneath it.

**Conveyancing is one of the smaller costs in a property transaction and one of the most frequently misunderstood. Mozo’s June 2026 guide puts licensed conveyancer fees at “$600–$1,400” in Victoria and “$1,000–$3,000” in metropolitan New South Wales, with disbursements of “$300–$800” on top. Two quotes that look $500 apart can end up much closer — or much further apart — once searches, settlement fees and extras are added. This guide explains what you are actually paying for, state by state.**

## Key Takeaways

**Compare the total cost — professional fee plus disbursements plus any extras — not the headline fee. And check that whoever you hire is allowed to do conveyancing in the state where the property is.**

- **Professional fees vary widely by state:** roughly $500–$1,300 for a Queensland conveyancing practice and up to $3,000 or more for a solicitor in metropolitan NSW.
- **Disbursements are extra:** title, council and water searches, registration fees and electronic settlement fees typically add $300–$800.
- **Electronic settlement has its own fee.** In NSW, PEXA’s fee for a single-title transfer with financial settlement is $146.30 from 1 July 2026, separate from Land Registry lodgement fees.
- **Who can act differs by state.** NSW and Victoria have licensed or registered conveyancers; in Queensland, paid conveyancing work must be done by a solicitor.
- **In NSW, conveyancers must tell you their costs in writing** — the amount, or the basis of calculation and an estimate — before or when you engage them.

## What Conveyancing Costs in Each State

**These are the professional fee ranges Mozo published in June 2026 for a standard residential purchase or sale. They exclude disbursements, stamp duty and lender fees.**

 State Licensed conveyancer Solicitor NSW (metro) $1,000–$3,000 $1,500–$3,200+ VIC $600–$1,400 $1,200–$2,500+ QLD $500–$1,300 (conveyancing practices, which must operate under a solicitor) $1,000–$2,500+ WA, SA, TAS, ACT $700–$1,600 $1,200–$2,500+

Mozo also notes that online conveyancers are typically “10–20% lower than traditional practices”. A lower fee is not automatically worse value, but make sure it covers the same scope of work: contract review, searches, liaising with your lender, and attending settlement.

## Disbursements: The Part of the Bill You Don’t Control

**Disbursements are costs your conveyancer pays to third parties on your behalf and passes on at cost. Mozo puts them at “$300–$800” for a typical transaction.**

They usually include a title search, council and water or drainage certificates, registration of the transfer and any mortgage, and the electronic settlement fee. Some are set by government, some by the search provider and some by PEXA, the main electronic settlement platform. In New South Wales, PEXA’s FY27 fee for “Transfer Titles (with Financial Settlement)” is $146.30 for a single title and $167.42 for multiple titles, effective from 1 July 2026. PEXA notes that this “is separate from the statutory lodgement fees, which are set by each jurisdiction’s Land Registry.”

Because disbursements depend on the property — a strata unit needs strata searches, a rural block may need extra certificates — a fixed-fee quote rarely fixes them. Ask for an itemised estimate.

**Insider Insight:** When you have two quotes, put them side by side and ask each conveyancer the same three questions: “Is contract review before I sign included?”, “Which disbursements are estimated, and what is the estimate?”, and “What would make this cost more?” The answers tell you more than the headline fee — and a practitioner who answers clearly in writing is usually one who communicates clearly on the file.

## What a Typical Total Looks Like

**Adding the published professional fee ranges to Mozo’s disbursement range gives a realistic all-in estimate before stamp duty and lender costs.**

 Scenario Professional fee Plus disbursements Estimated total Licensed conveyancer, Victoria $600–$1,400 $300–$800 $900–$2,200 Licensed conveyancer, metropolitan NSW $1,000–$3,000 $300–$800 $1,300–$3,800 Solicitor, Queensland $1,000–$2,500+ $300–$800 $1,300–$3,300+ Conveyancer or settlement agent, WA/SA/TAS/ACT $700–$1,600 $300–$800 $1,000–$2,400

## The Extras Most Quotes Leave Out

**A standard fee assumes a standard transaction. These are the situations that most often push the final bill above the quote.**

- **Contract review before you sign or bid.** Some low-fee quotes start only after exchange. Pre-purchase review is the most valuable part of the job — check it is included.
- **Off-the-plan purchases.** Longer contracts, sunset clauses and disclosure statements usually mean more work and a higher fee.
- **Strata properties.** Strata searches and reviewing the report add cost. Our guide to [special levies and capital works funds](https://agentfind.com.au/special-levies-capital-works-funds-strata/) explains what to look for.
- **Delays, rescheduled settlements and cancelled deals.** Ask what happens to the fee if the contract falls over or settlement is delayed.
- **Complex title issues.** Easements, subdivisions, deceased estates and company or trust purchasers can all add work.
- **Buying in another state.** You need someone who can act in the state where the property is. See [buying interstate](https://agentfind.com.au/buying-property-interstate-what-changes/).

## Who Is Allowed to Do Your Conveyancing

**The rules are set state by state, and they matter: an unqualified practitioner is not a bargain.**

In New South Wales, “You need a licence to run a conveyancing business or to be employed to do conveyancer work”, and law firms are regulated separately. NSW licensees must disclose in writing “the amount of the costs for the work (if known)” or, if not known, “the basis of calculating the costs and an estimate”, along with billing arrangements and your rights under the Conveyancers Licensing Act 2003. You can check a licence on the NSW Government’s online licence check.

In Queensland there is no separate licensed conveyancer profession. Paid conveyancing work must be carried out by a solicitor holding a current practising certificate, or by staff working under one. In Western Australia, conveyancing is commonly handled by licensed settlement agents. Victoria, South Australia and the other jurisdictions each have their own licensing or registration schemes, so confirm the practitioner’s status with the relevant state regulator before you engage them.

## A Checklist Before You Engage a Conveyancer

- **Confirm they can act in the property’s state** and check their licence or practising certificate.
- **Get the cost disclosure in writing,** with the professional fee and an itemised disbursement estimate.
- **Confirm contract review is included** before you sign, bid at auction or exchange.
- **Ask about the extras** — off-the-plan, strata, delays, cancellation and after-hours settlement.
- **Ask who will actually handle your file** and how you will be updated before settlement.
- **Engage them early.** The best time is before you make an offer, not after.

## Frequently Asked Questions

 ➕ How much does conveyancing cost in Australia in 2026?

Mozo’s June 2026 figures put licensed conveyancer fees at $600–$1,400 in Victoria, $1,000–$3,000 in metropolitan NSW, $500–$1,300 in Queensland and $700–$1,600 in WA, SA, Tasmania and the ACT, plus disbursements of $300–$800. ➕ What are conveyancing disbursements?

Costs your conveyancer pays to third parties for you, such as title, council and water searches, registration fees and the electronic settlement fee. They are usually passed on at cost and typically total $300–$800. ➕ How much is the PEXA fee?

In NSW, PEXA’s fee for a single-title transfer with financial settlement is $146.30 from 1 July 2026 ($167.42 for multiple titles). It is separate from Land Registry lodgement fees, and fees differ by state and transaction type. ➕ Is a solicitor or a conveyancer cheaper?

Licensed conveyancers are generally cheaper where they exist. Solicitors may be better value for complex matters such as off-the-plan contracts, disputes, deceased estates or trust purchases. In Queensland, paid conveyancing must be done by a solicitor. ➕ Can I do my own conveyancing?

It can be possible in some states, but it is rarely recommended, and most lenders require a qualified professional to handle the settlement of their mortgage. ➕ When should I engage a conveyancer?

Before you sign a contract or bid at auction, so they can review the contract and flag problems while you can still walk away or negotiate.

**About AgentFind**

AgentFind is an Australian directory of property professionals — selling agents, buyer’s agents, mortgage brokers, conveyancers and strata managers — searchable by location and speciality. Listings are not exclusive by area, so more than one professional can appear in the same suburb and you see the full field rather than a single paid name. Enquiries go directly to the professional you contact, and AgentFind takes no commission on any resulting sale.

Find a Conveyancer Near the Property

Browse conveyancers and settlement agents by city, compare their profiles and contact them directly for a written quote.

[Conveyancers by City](https://agentfind.com.au/conveyancers/)
 [Buyer’s Agents by City](https://agentfind.com.au/buyers-agents/)

Popular searches: [conveyancers in Sydney](https://agentfind.com.au/conveyancers/sydney-nsw/), [conveyancers in Perth](https://agentfind.com.au/conveyancers/perth-wa/), [conveyancers in Melbourne](https://agentfind.com.au/conveyancers/melbourne-vic/) and [conveyancers in Brisbane](https://agentfind.com.au/conveyancers/brisbane-qld/). Related reading: [what a conveyancer actually does](https://agentfind.com.au/what-does-a-conveyancer-actually-do-a-plain-english-guide/), [building and pest inspections](https://agentfind.com.au/building-pest-inspection-what-report-covers/) and [making an offer by private treaty](https://agentfind.com.au/making-an-offer-private-treaty-conditions/).

Important — currency and verification notice

**This article is general information current at the time of publication (September 2026).** Fee ranges are published market estimates, not regulated prices, and your quote will depend on the property, the transaction and the practitioner. Government, Land Registry and PEXA fees change, usually each financial year. Check current fees with your practitioner and the relevant authority.

AgentFind is a directory service. We do not provide legal advice and we accept no responsibility for decisions made in reliance on this article. Obtain advice from a solicitor or licensed conveyancer qualified in the state or territory where the property is located.

*Sources: [Mozo — Conveyancing Australia 2026: costs, process and eConveyancing explained (17 June 2026)](https://www.mozo.com.au/home-loans/resources/guides/conveyancing); [PEXA — NSW PEXA Fees, FY27 (effective 1 July 2026)](https://www.pexa.com.au/pricing/nsw/); [NSW Government — Conveyancers](https://www.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-construction/property-professionals/conveyancers); [NSW Government — Check a licence for a property agent or conveyancer](https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/help-centre/online-tools/conveyancers-licence-check); [Fraser Lawyers — Do I need a solicitor to buy a house in QLD?](https://www.fraserlawyers.com/do-i-need-a-solicitor-to-buy-a-house-qld/)*

## Classification

- **Category:** Buyers Agents, Tips

## Images

![Couple signing property documents at a desk](https://agentfind.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/photo-1664463760781-f159dfe3af30-1.jpg)