Conveyancer vs Solicitor: Which Do You Need? (By State)

The short answer

For a standard home purchase or sale, a licensed conveyancer is usually enough and costs less. A solicitor can do everything a conveyancer does and also give legal advice, which helps with unusual contracts, trusts, disputes or deceased estates. Who can act depends on the state: Queensland and the ACT require a lawyer, and in WA most settlements are done by licensed settlement agents.

Who can do conveyancing in each state?

The rules below are as at October 2026, taken from each state government or regulator.

State	Who can do conveyancing
New South Wales	Conveyancing in NSW can be done by a conveyancer licensed by NSW Fair Trading under the Conveyancers Licensing Act 2003, or by a solicitor (Australian legal practitioner) with a current practising certificate. You can do your own conveyancing, but NSW Government warns this carries significant risk.
Victoria	Conveyancing in Victoria can be done by a conveyancer licensed by the Business Licensing Authority under the Conveyancers Act 2006, or by a lawyer with a current practising certificate. You can do your own conveyancing, but Consumer Affairs Victoria notes you will have no professional indemnity insurance if something goes wrong.
Queensland	In Queensland only law practices can offer conveyancing services, and conveyancing staff must work under a solicitor's supervision; there is no separate conveyancer licence. You can do your own conveyancing, but the Queensland Government advises getting legal advice even if you do.
Western Australia	In WA most residential settlements are handled by licensed settlement agents, licensed by Consumer Protection under the Settlement Agents Act 1981. Certified legal practitioners can also do the work, and buyers and sellers can act for themselves, though Consumer Protection advises using a licensed settlement agent or lawyer.
South Australia	Conveyancing in SA is done by registered conveyancers, registered with Consumer and Business Services under the Conveyancers Act 1994, or by legal practitioners, who do not need to register as conveyancers. Hiring one is not compulsory, but only a conveyancer or solicitor with electronic lodgement access can lodge the transfer.
Australian Capital Territory	In the ACT conveyancing is done by lawyers with a current practising certificate. The ACT has no separate conveyancer licence, and under the Legal Profession Act 2006 preparing documents relating to property is legal work that only a lawyer may do for others. You can lodge your own documents in person at the Land Titles Office, but only lawyers and banks can settle electronically.
Tasmania	Conveyancing in Tasmania can be done by a conveyancer licensed under the Conveyancing Act 2004, with the licence granted by the Director of Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading, or by a legal practitioner. Consumer Affairs Tasmania warns that doing your own conveyancing is risky, and the Land Titles Office generally requires individuals to be represented by a lawyer or licensed conveyancer to lodge a transfer.
Northern Territory	In the NT conveyancing is done by licensed conveyancing agents, licensed under the Agents Licensing Act 1979, or by solicitors, and buyers and sellers may also do it themselves. The NT Government advises using a licensed conveyancing agent or solicitor and checking the agent is licensed in the NT and insured.

What is the difference between a conveyancer and a solicitor?

A licensed conveyancer is trained and licensed to handle the transfer of property: checking the contract and title, ordering searches, calculating adjustments and running settlement. A solicitor holds a practising certificate and can do all of that, plus give legal advice and act for you if a dispute ends up in court.

When is a solicitor worth the extra cost?

A solicitor makes most sense when the deal has legal complications. Common examples:

Buying through a trust, company or self managed super fund
Off the plan contracts with unusual special conditions
Property affected by a family law settlement or a deceased estate
Subdivisions, development sites and commercial property
A dispute with the other side before settlement

How do I check a conveyancer or solicitor is licensed?

Every state keeps a public register. Ask for the licence number, then search it. For solicitors, search the state law society or legal regulator register for a current practising certificate. Each of our city pages links the right register for that state.

Conveyancers in Sydney · Conveyancers in Melbourne · Conveyancers in Brisbane · Conveyancers in Gold Coast · Conveyancers in Perth · Conveyancers in Adelaide · Conveyancers in Canberra · Conveyancers in Hobart · Conveyancers in Darwin

Questions people ask

Do I need a solicitor to buy a house in Queensland?

Yes. Queensland does not license conveyancers, so conveyancing there has to be done by a solicitor or under a solicitor's supervision. Every firm on our Queensland lists is a law practice.

Are there licensed conveyancers in the ACT?

No. The ACT has no separate conveyancer licence, and preparing property documents for someone else is legal work that only a lawyer can do. Every firm on our Canberra list is a law practice.

Is a conveyancer cheaper than a solicitor?

Usually. In NSW, for example, conveyancers commonly charge about $900 to $2,000 for a purchase, while solicitors often quote $1,800 to $4,000. Compare written, itemised quotes, because what is included varies.

What is a settlement agent in WA?

A settlement agent is WA's name for a conveyancer. Settlement agents are licensed by Consumer Protection under the Settlement Agents Act 1981 and handle most residential settlements in the state.

Can a conveyancer give legal advice?

Only within their area. A licensed conveyancer can advise on the conveyancing itself, such as what the contract and searches mean for the transfer. Broader legal advice, such as on a trust structure or a dispute, needs a solicitor.

Ready to compare? Pick your city: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart, Darwin. Or get quotes from a few.

Sources

General information only, not legal advice. Rules change, so check with your conveyancer before you rely on them.

Conveyancer or solicitor: which do you need?