Solicitor vs Conveyancer in Queensland: What Is the Difference?
Every property transaction in Queensland requires someone to handle the legal and administrative work of transferring ownership. Most buyers and sellers do not know there are two different types of professionals who can do this, or what the difference actually is.
What is conveyancing?
Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring property ownership from one party to another. In Queensland, it is governed primarily by the Property Law Act 2023 (Qld), which commenced on 1 August 2025 and replaced the Property Law Act 1974 (Qld). Associated legislation includes the Land Title Act 1994 (Qld) and the Land Sales Act 1984 (Qld).
The 2023 Act introduced significant reforms, most notably mandatory seller disclosure obligations. Sellers in Queensland are now required to provide a Seller Disclosure Statement to buyers before a contract is signed. This is a material change from previous practice and affects how both solicitors and conveyancers manage the pre-contract phase.
The conveyancing process includes reviewing the contract of sale, conducting searches (title, body corporate, council, flood mapping), preparing transfer documents, liaising with the other party's legal representative, managing settlement, and registering the transfer with the Queensland Titles Registry.
What is the difference between a solicitor and a conveyancer?
Property Solicitor
- Holds a law degree and is admitted to practice
- Regulated by the Queensland Law Society
- Can advise on all aspects of property law
- Can represent you in disputes, litigation, and contract negotiations
- Can handle complex transactions: off-the-plan, deceased estates, trusts, SMSFs
- Higher cost: typically $1,500, $2,500+ for a standard purchase
Licensed Conveyancer
- Holds a licence under the Queensland conveyancing licensing framework
- Regulated by the Office of Fair Trading (Qld)
- Specialises in standard residential property transactions
- Cannot provide legal advice beyond conveyancing work
- Cannot represent you in court or handle litigation
- Lower cost: typically $800, $1,500 for a standard purchase
Key point: Both can legally handle a standard residential property transaction in Queensland. The choice comes down to the complexity of your transaction and how much legal coverage you want.
What does the conveyancing process involve?
When you should use a solicitor
When a conveyancer is sufficient
How much does it cost?
Typical professional fees (excluding searches and disbursements, which add $500 to $1,200):
| Service | Conveyancer | Solicitor |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase (standard) | $800, $1,200 | $1,500, $2,200 |
| Sale (standard) | $700, $1,100 | $1,200, $1,800 |
| Off-the-plan purchase | Not recommended | $1,800, $3,000+ |
| SMSF / Trust purchase | Not applicable | $2,000, $4,000+ |
One recommendation that matters
Regardless of whether you use a solicitor or conveyancer, engage them before you sign the contract. In Queensland, the standard REIQ contract has a 5-business-day cooling-off period. But the best time to review a contract is before you are in it.
Many buyers sign at the open home and then engage legal help. That sequence is the wrong way around. Most solicitors and conveyancers will review a contract for a small fee or as part of their engagement.
Questions to ask when choosing your legal representative
Whether you are engaging a solicitor or a conveyancer, these five questions give you a meaningful basis for comparison:
Who will actually handle my file?
Some firms quote a senior name but allocate the work to a junior. Ask directly who manages day-to-day correspondence and who will be available at settlement.
What is included in your fixed fee, and what falls outside it?
Most quotes include standard conveyancing but exclude searches and disbursements, which add $500 to $1,200. Also ask what triggers additional charges: extended finance conditions, a dispute arising, or unusual special conditions in the contract.
Do you use PEXA for settlement?
Almost all Queensland residential settlements now use the PEXA electronic platform. If a firm is not on PEXA, ask why. Paper settlements are slower, more error-prone, and increasingly unusual.
What searches do you conduct as standard?
At minimum: title search, council rates certificate, land tax clearance, and body corporate certificate if applicable. Ask whether flood mapping and contamination register searches are included or quoted separately.
What is your turnaround for reviewing a contract before I sign?
A 24 to 48 hour turnaround is reasonable for a pre-contract review. Some firms charge a modest fee for this and credit it against their engagement fee if you proceed.
What to expect on the timeline
Standard Queensland residential settlements typically run 30 to 45 business days from exchange, though 20-day settlements are possible when buyers have pre-approval and no complex conditions. Here is the usual sequence:
Need a referral?
Daniel Gierach works regularly with several trusted property solicitors and conveyancers across the inner east. Get in touch and he can point you in the right direction.
Sources: Property Law Act 2023 (Qld) (commenced 1 August 2025); Land Title Act 1994 (Qld); Land Sales Act 1984 (Qld); Queensland Law Society (qls.com.au); Office of Fair Trading Queensland. Fees are indicative ranges as at 2025-26. This article is general information only and does not constitute legal advice.
Part of the Contracts and Settlement guide series.
About the author
Daniel Gierach
Daniel Gierach is a REIQ-licensed real estate agent with Ray White Bulimba, specialising in Brisbane's inner east. He is an active practitioner, not an editorial voice, working daily with buyers and sellers across Bulimba, Hawthorne, Balmoral, Morningside, Camp Hill, and the surrounding suburbs. His articles draw on current campaign data and firsthand market experience.
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