For an ordinary home purchase or sale, a licensed conveyancer and a property solicitor do much the same job: they check the contract and disclosure documents, order searches, deal with your lender and run settlement. The differences are training, scope and price, and in some states the law decides for you.
The short answer
- Straightforward residential sale or purchase: a licensed conveyancer is usually the cheaper choice and is fully qualified for the job.
- Anything unusual: disputes, complicated contract terms, deceased estates, family law property settlements, trusts or commercial deals call for a solicitor, who can give legal advice beyond the transaction.
- Queensland: conveyancing is done by solicitors (or staff they supervise), so use a solicitor.
The rules in each state
| State | Who can act for you |
|---|---|
| South Australia | Registered conveyancers (licensed by Consumer and Business Services) or solicitors |
| New South Wales | Licensed conveyancers (NSW Fair Trading) or solicitors |
| Victoria | Licensed conveyancers (Business Licensing Authority) or solicitors |
| Western Australia | Licensed settlement agents or lawyers |
| Queensland | Solicitors |
| Tasmania, ACT, NT | Licensed conveyancers or lawyers, under each territory or state’s own rules |
Licensing rules change, so check the current position with your state regulator. Each state page on Conveyancer Finder links to its regulator and public register.
When a solicitor is worth paying for
- The contract has non-standard special conditions, or you want terms changed
- There is a boundary, easement or building approval problem
- The sale is part of a separation, a deceased estate or a family transfer
- You are buying through a company, trust or self-managed super fund
- The property is commercial, rural, being subdivided or bought off the plan with unusual terms
What to check whoever you choose
- Their licence or practising certificate, on your state regulator’s register
- A written quote with the fee and disbursements listed separately
- Who will actually do your file, and how to reach them before settlement
- That they handle property in your state and suburb regularly
Find one on Conveyancer Finder
City and region pages let you show licensed conveyancers or solicitors only, and sort by distance from your suburb. Try Adelaide, New South Wales or Victoria, and see conveyancing fees by state for what each typically costs.
Find a conveyancer near you. Search by suburb or postcode and compare offices by distance and Google reviews.