Last Updated: October 31, 2026
Quick Summary
A conveyancing fees quote usually covers the conveyancer’s professional fee for contract review, advice and settlement, plus disbursements such as searches and registration charges passed through at cost. Ask each firm for an itemised breakdown and a written list of exclusions before you compare quotes.
A conveyancing quote is the price a conveyancer charges for legal work on a property transaction, and it is usually split into professional fees and disbursements.
Most firms itemise these two categories on the quote, but the level of detail varies. A fixed-fee quote may bundle several services into one figure, while a variable quote lists each component separately. Reading the inclusions carefully matters more than comparing the bottom-line number alone.
Here is the broad structure you should expect to see:
| Quote component | What it typically covers | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Professional fee | Contract review, advice, settlement | Legal service |
| Searches | Title, council, and planning checks | Disbursement |
| Registration | Lodging transfer and mortgage documents | Disbursement |
| GST | Applies to professional fees | Tax on fees |
The distinction between fees and disbursements is the single most useful thing to understand before you compare quotes. Fees belong to the conveyancer. Disbursements belong to third parties, and the conveyancer simply pays them on your behalf and recovers the cost.
Disbursements vary with the property and state, but common examples include title searches, council and water rate certificates, land tax enquiries, and lodgement or registration fees. Some lenders also charge mortgage-related costs that appear on the same statement. Because these amounts are set by external bodies, they should be the same regardless of which conveyancer you choose.
GST generally applies to the conveyancer’s professional fee for their services. Many government charges and some third-party disbursements are passed through without GST added by the conveyancer, because they are not supplies made by the conveyancer. Check with your conveyancer how each line is treated, as the treatment depends on the specific item.
For a buyer, the quote usually covers contract review, advice on special conditions, arranging the settlement, and the search and registration disbursements needed to transfer title into your name.
To compare quotes properly, ask each firm to itemise the professional fee and every disbursement separately. Below is an illustrative layout for a standard residential purchase (not a strata or off-the-plan matter).
| Line item | What it covers | Type | Illustrative amount (AUD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional fee | Contract review, advice on special conditions, settlement coordination | Legal service | $1,200 |
| GST on professional fee | 10% applied to the professional fee | Tax | $120 |
| Title search | Confirms registered proprietor and encumbrances | Disbursement | $35 |
| Council rates certificate | Outstanding rates and charges | Disbursement | $60 |
| Water rates certificate | Outstanding water charges | Disbursement | $45 |
| Land tax enquiry | Land tax liability | Disbursement | $40 |
| Planning certificate | Zoning and planning controls | Disbursement | $80 |
| Transfer registration | Lodging the transfer with the land registry | Disbursement | $150 |
| Mortgage registration (if borrowing) | Lodging the mortgage | Disbursement | $150 |
| Indicative total | $1,880 |
A few practical points sit behind that table:
Ask for a written breakdown before you commit, so you can see each line and compare like for like. For a step-by-step view of the process behind these fees, see the conveyancing steps for first buyers.
Seller costs are generally simpler, typically covering preparation of the transfer and vendor documents, discharge of any existing mortgage, and settlement.
These adjustments change the final amount you receive, so the net figure can differ from the sale price minus the quoted costs. Proactive financial planning remains the most effective method for avoiding surprise moving fees throughout the entire property transfer process.
A quote is only useful if you can tell what is standard work and what triggers an extra charge. The checklist below is organised around that distinction, with a short note on why each question matters.
Most firms treat the following as standard for a straightforward transaction: contract review and advice, standard searches, preparation of transfer documents, and settlement coordination. The items below are the ones most often excluded or charged separately, ask about each before you accept.
| Question to ask | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Does the professional fee include contract review, and how many contracts are covered? | Some quotes cover one contract only; a second contract or a re-issued contract may attract a fee. |
| Is settlement attendance included, or is there an extra charge for attending in person? | Electronic settlement is now common, but attendance or urgent settlement can be priced separately. |
| Are searches and registration listed as disbursements at cost, with amounts? | A quote that lists disbursements as a lump sum makes it hard to check the total. |
| Is GST shown separately, and on which items? | GST generally applies to the professional fee; government charges and some disbursements are treated differently. |
| What happens if the contract is amended, the settlement is extended, or there is a delay? | These are the most common triggers for additional fees. |
| Is there a charge for updates, after-hours calls, or additional advice? | Some firms include reasonable communication; others charge per item. |
| Are there fees for complex title issues, caveats, or unregistered dealings? | These require extra work and are commonly excluded from a standard quote. |
| Is professional indemnity cover held, and who supervises the file? | Service quality and supervision matter as much as price. |
The exclusions section of a quote is often more informative than the inclusions. Look for language such as “does not include”, “additional fees may apply” and “subject to change”. A quote that is silent on a topic is not the same as a quote that includes it.
Ask each firm to return the quote in the same format: professional fee (including GST), itemised disbursements with amounts, and a written list of exclusions. Then compare the totals on the same assumptions. That method exposes differences in scope that a headline price hides.
A very low quote can be attractive, but it often excludes services that another firm includes in its fee. To understand whether a lawyer is needed for settlement, read whether a lawyer is necessary for property settlement.
Service quality also matters. A competitive quote from a firm that responds promptly and explains each step can save time and stress, while an unresponsive provider can cause delays that cost more than the fee difference.
Maatouks offers a free phone consultation, so you can ask what is included before committing to a quote.
To get a fee estimate you can rely on, provide the purchase or sale price, the property type and state, and whether the matter is a straightforward purchase or involves complications. If you are in the area, you can review conveyancing services in Fairfield before requesting an estimate.
If you are comparing firms, request the same information from each so the estimates are comparable. Local buyers and sellers can also look at conveyancing services in Liverpool to compare options.
A conveyancing fee is the professional charge for the legal work involved in transferring property. It usually covers reviewing the contract of sale, preparing or checking transfer documents, carrying out or arranging property searches, advising on title and special conditions, liaising with the other party’s representative, and managing settlement. Fees are normally quoted as a fixed fee for a standard transaction, plus GST where it applies. Government charges and third-party costs, known as disbursements, are usually listed separately. Ask for a written breakdown so you can see exactly which items are professional fees and which are passed through at cost.
Conveyancing fees are what the conveyancer or law firm charges for their own legal work. Disbursements are costs the firm pays to third parties on your behalf, such as land registry or title search charges, stamp duty where it is collected through the conveyancer, and certain search or registration fees. Disbursements are generally passed on without a markup, so they should match the actual amounts charged. A low headline fee can look cheaper while disbursements make up a large share of the total, so compare the two figures separately.
Yes. Buyers typically pay more because the work includes contract review, property searches, title checks, mortgage and finance settlement, and registration of the transfer into their name. Sellers usually face a smaller set of tasks, such as preparing the contract of sale, responding to the buyer’s requests, and arranging the discharge of any existing mortgage. The exact difference depends on the transaction type, the price, and whether a fixed fee applies, so request separate quotes for each side where relevant.
A fixed fee usually stays the same for the standard work described in the quote. However, costs can rise if the transaction becomes more complex, for example with a strata or unusual contract condition, a delayed settlement, an auction, or a dispute with the other party. Disbursements can also change if search or registration charges increase before settlement. Ask the firm to confirm in writing which events would trigger an additional fee and what their hourly rate is for extra work.
Many quotes exclude items that are not part of the professional fee. Common exclusions include stamp duty, government search and registration charges, property inspection fees, mortgage discharge fees, bank fees, and the cost of any building or pest reports. Some firms also exclude additional work such as strata reviews, guarantees, or advice on complex contract changes. Check the inclusions and exclusions list before accepting, and ask the firm to estimate the total cash you will need at settlement, not just the professional fee.
Each party usually pays their own conveyancing fees and disbursements. A buyer pays for the work done on their behalf, and a seller pays for the work done to prepare and discharge the sale. Certain costs, such as the cost of a mortgage discharge or agent commission, are paid from the sale proceeds at settlement. The contract of sale may set out how particular costs are shared, so review it or ask your conveyancer to confirm before settlement.
Ask whether the quote is fixed or estimated, what work is included, and which disbursements will be charged in addition. Confirm whether GST applies to the professional fee and whether any search fees are included. Ask how extra work is charged, how often you will receive updates, and what happens if settlement is delayed. Request a sample breakdown showing an itemised total for a transaction similar to yours. Comparing quotes on these points is more reliable than comparing headline prices alone.
A low quote can be legitimate, particularly for a simple transaction, but it is worth checking what it excludes and how the work is delivered. Some low-cost providers rely heavily on standard templates, limit direct access to a lawyer, or charge for additional services that a higher-priced quote includes. Look at whether the firm is a licensed legal practice in New South Wales, who will handle your file, and how they respond to queries. The cheapest total cost is not always the best value if it leads to delays or extra charges later.
