Most Buyers Budget for the House. Not the Legal Headaches.
When you think about buying property, your mind probably jumps to the big-ticket items: your deposit, stamp duty, inspection reports, maybe even moving costs. But there’s a crucial line item many first-home buyers forget: the legal costs.
And let’s be honest: solicitor fees don’t exactly make for exciting dinner conversation. But ignore them, and you could be hit with delays, stress, or nasty surprises.
That’s why we’ve created this no-nonsense guide to conveyancing costs across NSW, VIC, and QLD. Whether you’re in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane, this is what you need to know, including what’s usually included, what’s extra, and how to avoid getting stung.
Conveyancer vs Solicitor: What’s the Difference?
It’s one of the first decisions you’ll make, but it’s not always explained clearly.
- Conveyancer: Specialises in property transactions. Licensed to manage the legal side of buying or selling real estate.
- Solicitor: A qualified lawyer who can do everything a conveyancer does, plus handle more complex legal matters.
At Titlespace, we’ve built a team that includes both. That means you get the efficiency of a conveyancer with the extra legal firepower of a solicitor, without paying by the hour.
How Much Does a Solicitor Cost When Buying a House in NSW, VIC & QLD?
Here’s the ballpark breakdown by state and service type. (Note: these figures exclude disbursements, we’ll get to those in a moment.)
| State | Conveyancer | Solicitor |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | $1,300 – $2,200 | $1,600 – $2,800 |
| VIC | $1,100 – $2,100 | $1,500 – $2,700 |
| QLD | $900 – $1,900 | $1,300 – $2,300 |
Why the range? Because fees depend on the provider, the complexity of your purchase (off-the-plan, strata, dual titles, etc.), and, let’s be blunt, whether you’re being upsold or not.
What Should Be Included?
At a minimum, your conveyancer or solicitor’s fee should cover:
- Reviewing and explaining the Contract of Sale
- Advising you on legal risks, rights, and obligations
- Ordering necessary property searches (title, zoning, rates, etc.)
- Liaising with your lender or mortgage broker
- Coordinating settlement and lodging documents with the state land registry
Anything less? Red flag.
Conveyancing Costs: What to Expect?
Disbursements are third-party costs your legal team pays on your behalf. Think of them like out-of-pocket expenses required to complete your transaction.
Here’s a snapshot of typical disbursements:
Disbursement Type Approx. Cost
- Title search $30 – $60
- Land tax certificate $20 – $70
- Council & water rates info $100 – $150
- Planning certificates $60 – $100
- PEXA fees $140.58
Total expected range: $350 – $550 for disbursements.
These costs can vary slightly by state and council. But if your conveyancer isn’t upfront about these, or worse, hits you with surprise extras later, it’s a problem.
At Titlespace, we include most disbursements in our pricing. No games. No surprises.
The $899 Conveyancing Trap And Other Fee Gotchas.
Ever seen ads for “$899 conveyancing”? That price is rarely the whole story.
Watch out for these common traps:
- Time-based billing (charged hourly instead of a fixed fee)
- Add-ons for off-the-plan or auction contracts
- “Admin” or “file handling” fees snuck in at the end
- Disbursements tacked on later with minimal notice, sometimes with a hidden markup, not even charged at cost
You deserve better.
We’ve also written a deeper dive on this exact issue: Conveyancing Fees: Why the Cheapest Option Can Cost You the Most. It unpacks the hidden risks of chasing the lowest fee and shows why value – not cheap – is what really protects your deal.
Fixed Fee Conveyancing vs Hourly Billing
Some conveyancers advertise a fixed fee, but here’s the fine print they don’t shout about: it’s only fixed for the “very basic” scope. Step 30cm outside that scope, and suddenly you’re on the hourly rate rollercoaster, watching costs climb with every email and phone call..
That means:
- You start with a fixed fee quote… but the meter kicks in if anything gets tricky.
- “Outside scope” can be vague, extra negotiations, unusual contract clauses, or even delays caused by the other party, can all trigger hourly billing or extra costs.
- Hourly rates in the legal world aren’t cheap, and there’s often no clear cap.
The result? What looked like a budget-friendly quote can blow out by hundreds (or thousands) before you reach settlement.
Here’s our philosophy at Titlespace:
The price we quote is the price you pay. Period.
We don’t charge by the hour. We don’t bury fees in fine print. For most transactions, we include disbursements upfront, allowing you to budget with confidence.
NSW, VIC, QLD: Are There State-Based Differences?
Yes. Here’s what to know:
New South Wales (NSW)
- Contract reviews are critical due to a number of special conditions.
- Cooling-off periods are often waived due to market dynamics.
- Costs are slightly higher due to contract complexity (special conditions).
Victoria (VIC)
- Building and pest clauses are standard in VIC contracts, with strict timeframes for raising issues.
- Section 32 (Vendor Statement) is a key document.
- Fixed-fee models are more common but not universal.
Queensland (QLD)
- Building and pest clauses are also standard in QLD contracts, with strict timeframes for raising issues.
- The risk of the property passes on to the buyer when the contract is signed (not at settlement).
- Disbursements often include extra local council, flood, and environmental searches.
Each state has its quirks. That’s why we’re active in all three.
Conveyancer or Solicitor – Who Should You Choose?
It depends.
- If your purchase is straightforward and you’re on a budget, a conveyancer may be fine.
- If you’re buying off-the-plan, at auction, or have special contract conditions, go with a solicitor.
- If you want both legal confidence and fixed-fee certainty, use a team that includes both, like Titlespace.
What Makes Titlespace Different?
We’ve flipped the script on traditional conveyancing. Here’s how:
- Fixed fees, state-wide
- Digital-first process (no printing, scanning, or chasing signatures)
- Lightning-fast turnaround. Contract reviews in hours, not days
- 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, or we refund our legal fees
- We operate in NSW, VIC & QLD
- No hidden fees. Ever.
We’re a law firm built for the modern property buyer.
Still Not Sure What You’ll Need?
We get it. Property law is complex, and no two transactions are alike.
That’s why we offer a free 20-minute property session with one of our legal experts.
You can ask anything:
- What fees will apply to your property
- What documents you need reviewed
- What to do if you’re buying off-the-plan or at auction
Skip the stress. Get legal clarity before you commit.
The content of this blog post is intended as general information and should be considered broad guidance only. It does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice and should not be relied upon as such. Every property transaction is different, and we recommend seeking personalised advice from a qualified professional before making any investment or legal decisions.
FAQs that we get. Alot.
How much does a solicitor cost when buying a house in NSW?
Expect to pay between $1,600 – $2,800 for solicitor fees in NSW, excluding disbursements. Conveyancers charge slightly less. Titlespace offers fixed fees that include disbursements.
What's the difference between a conveyancer and a solicitor?
Conveyancers handle property transactions. Solicitors can do the same, plus offer broader legal advice, ideal for complex purchases or legal risks.
Are conveyancing fees tax-deductible?
Generally, no, if you’re buying your primary residence. If you’re an investor, some legal costs may be claimable. Speak to your accountant.
Can I use a conveyancer from another state?
Only if they’re licensed in the state where the property is located. Titlespace is a law firm so we can operate Australia-wide.
Why are some conveyancers so cheap?
Low headline prices often exclude disbursements or limit the scope of service. Watch for hidden extras. You get what you pay for.
What's included in Titlespace's pricing?
Most property transactions include contract review, disbursements, searches, lender liaison, settlement, and unlimited contact. No hourly billing. No surprises.
