How Much Does Conveyancing Cost in NSW? (2026)

The short answer

For a standard residential conveyance in NSW in 2026, expect a fixed legal fee of $1,099 to $1,600 plus $300 to $600 in disbursements. Total typical cost: $1,400 to $2,200. That figure is the same whether you're buying a Bondi apartment for $1 million or a Mortdale house for $1.4 million — conveyancing fees in NSW are not based on property value.

What you actually pay

Every conveyancer's quote should split out four lines. If a quote lumps them together, ask for an itemised version before signing.

1. Professional fee (fixed)

This is the legal work itself: contract review, title search, exchange coordination, settlement adjustments, PEXA workspace management. In NSW that ranges from $1,099 at the lower end (volume-driven online firms) to $1,600 for a boutique local firm. Anything significantly higher should come with a clear explanation — heritage property, off-the-plan contract, complex easement, or a deceased estate.

2. Disbursements (variable, but bounded)

These are out-of-pocket payments your conveyancer makes to third parties on your behalf — searches, certificates, PEXA fees, title registration. They typically total $300 to $600 and break down roughly like this:

• Section 10.7 planning certificate: $53 to $130 (council varies)
• Title search + dealing search: $30 to $60
• PEXA transaction fee: $33 to $88
• Land Registry title registration: $158
• Verification of identity check: $50 to $100
• Strata/company title search (if applicable): $30 to $100
• Sundries (bank cheque fee, certified copies): $20 to $80

3. Government taxes (not part of conveyancing)

Stamp duty is separate. NSW stamp duty on a $1 million residential purchase is roughly $40,000 (use the Revenue NSW calculator for an exact figure). First home buyers may be exempt or get a partial concession. Your conveyancer arranges the payment but does not charge for it — it's a government tax, not a fee.

4. Mortgage-related fees

If you're borrowing, your lender adds its own settlement fees (typically $200 to $400) and you may pay your mortgage broker if their fee model is fee-for-service rather than lender-paid commission. Your conveyancer doesn't control these; they appear on the settlement statement on the day.

Conveyancer or solicitor?

Both are legal to act on a NSW property transfer. A licensed conveyancer is the standard, lower-cost choice for routine residential transactions — which is the bulk of the Sydney market. A solicitor is the safer choice when the contract has any of:

• An old-system or limited title rather than modern torrens title
• Disclosed easements that affect how you can use the land
• Heritage listings or covenants on the title
• Caveats, mortgages, or unresolved disputes registered against the title
• A deceased estate or court-ordered sale
• A vendor or buyer who is a company or trust with complex structuring
• Property settled under a binding financial agreement (e.g. divorce)

How to compare quotes

Get three written, itemised quotes before engaging. When you compare them, line them up against the four-amount checklist above and check each of these signals:

• The professional fee is fixed in writing, not 'estimated' or 'from'
• Disbursements are itemised, not bundled into a vague 'searches and fees' line
• Off-the-plan, strata, or new-build contract review is explicitly included if relevant
• The firm holds a current licence with NSW Fair Trading (search the public register)
• PEXA access is confirmed — every NSW settlement now completes electronically
• There's a named contact who will personally run your file, not a generic team inbox

Is online conveyancing safe in NSW?

Yes — online conveyancers are licensed under the same NSW Fair Trading regime as bricks-and-mortar firms. They typically charge $1,099 to $1,300 for a standard transaction. Trade-off: less local relationship with agents, fewer in-person options for signing. For a straightforward apartment purchase with a clean title, the cost saving is genuine. For an older terrace, heritage property, or anything with a complex history, a local conveyancer or solicitor with relevant experience is the safer call.

When does conveyancing cost more than the typical range?

Expect to pay above $1,600 when the contract involves: off-the-plan apartments (sunset clauses, progress payments, longer review); house-and-land packages (two contracts running in parallel); company-title or old-system-title properties (rare but slower); cross-border buyers (overseas vendor or buyer adds verification work); or short-settlement auctions where the conveyancer has under five business days to act. Always confirm the supplement amount in writing before instructing.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions