Thinking About DIY Conveyancing? Get Expert Help First.
Before you decide to handle conveyancing yourself, it's worth understanding exactly what's involved—and what's at risk. LocalAgentFinder's own conveyancing partner, Dott & Crossitt, handles residential property conveyancing across Australia and can give you a clear picture of what professional conveyancing costs and covers.
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Residential property conveyancing handled professionally, efficiently, and at a transparent price—so you can sell or buy with confidence.
What Is Conveyancing?
Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring a property title from seller to buyer. It covers far more than completing paperwork—it involves researching the property, verifying title details, working with government departments, paying stamp duty and transfer fees, ensuring both parties comply with the law, and making sure all funds are correctly directed at settlement.
In Australia, conveyancing is typically completed with the assistance of a licensed conveyancer or solicitor. It is possible, however, to handle it yourself—known as DIY conveyancing.
DIY Conveyancing vs. Hiring a Professional: What's the Difference?
What Is a DIY Conveyancing Kit?
Some Australian states—including Victoria and Queensland—offer DIY conveyancing kits. These provide a step-by-step guide to completing the conveyancing process yourself, tailored to the specific property laws of that state or territory.
Key facts about DIY conveyancing kits:
- Cost between $80 and $150
- Specific to each state or territory — purchasing the wrong kit is a common and costly mistake
- Include a step-by-step breakdown of the required process
- Some kits include a telephone support service
- Do not include professional indemnity insurance or fidelity cover
Important: Because conveyancing laws vary significantly between states and territories, always confirm you have the correct kit for the state where the property is located—especially if you're buying or selling interstate.
When DIY Conveyancing Might Be Right for You
DIY conveyancing may be worth considering if:
- You have significant time available to research and complete the process thoroughly
- You have existing knowledge of or genuine interest in property law
- You're confident navigating legal documents, terminology, and government departments
- The transaction is straightforward with no complications
- You're comfortable with digital or online-based processes
- Saving money is your primary concern
When to Use a Professional Conveyancer Instead
In most cases, hiring a licensed conveyancer or solicitor is the smarter choice. Consider professional conveyancing if:
- Legal documents, government processes, or property terminology feel unfamiliar or overwhelming
- Your time is limited — the process is time-consuming and requires consistent attention to detail
- The transaction involves any complexity (interstate purchase, unusual title, development overlays, deceased estate)
- You want professional indemnity insurance and fidelity cover protecting the transaction
- You're buying or selling in a different state or territory from where you currently live
The property conveyancing process involves researching titles, verifying compliance with development proposals, paying correct stamp duty and transfer fees, liaising with banks and government departments, and ensuring all settlement funds are correctly distributed. For most people doing this for the first time, errors are common — and they can be expensive.
Many people who start with a DIY kit run into unexpected problems mid-process and end up contacting a professional anyway. At that point, they've already spent money on the kit and time working through it — making professional conveyancing the cheaper option in hindsight.
What the Conveyancing Process Actually Involves
Whether you DIY or use a professional, the conveyancing process covers:
- Title search — Verifying ownership details and identifying any encumbrances, easements, or caveats on the property
- Contract of Sale review — Checking all terms and conditions before signing
- Stamp duty and transfer fee calculation and payment — Varies by state, property value, and buyer status
- Liaising with government departments — Including land registries, councils, and state revenue offices
- Coordinating with lenders — Ensuring mortgage documentation is correctly executed
- Settlement coordination — Confirming all parties are ready and funds are correctly directed
- Title registration — Ensuring the new owner's title is correctly lodged and registered
A professional conveyancer carries full professional indemnity insurance and fidelity cover—protection that DIY conveyancing simply cannot replicate.
Conveyancing and Selling Your Property: How They Fit Together
Conveyancing is just one part of the property selling process. When you're selling a property, the typical steps are:
- Get a property appraisal and understand your home's value
- Choose a real estate agent and agree on a marketing strategy
- List and market the property
- Accept an offer and sign a Contract of Sale
- Engage a conveyancer or solicitor to manage the legal transfer to settlement
- Complete settlement and transfer title to the buyer
A good real estate agent will have established professional connections with licensed conveyancers and can recommend trusted providers in your area. If you haven't found your agent yet, LocalAgentFinder makes it easy to compare local agents by fees, services, and homeowner reviews.
Compare Real Estate Agents at LocalAgentFinder
Is DIY Conveyancing Worth It?
For most people selling or buying a property, professional conveyancing is worth the cost. Property is typically the largest financial transaction of a person's life—and the conveyancing process protects the legal integrity of that transaction.
The saving from DIY conveyancing is real, but modest relative to the property's value. The potential cost of errors—delayed settlement, incorrect title registration, unpaid duties, or missed legal obligations—can far exceed what you'd pay a professional.
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DIY Conveyancing FAQs
Is DIY conveyancing legal in Australia?
Yes, it is legal to conduct your own conveyancing in most Australian states and territories. Some states, including Victoria and Queensland, offer DIY conveyancing kits to assist with this. However, legal and correct completion of the process is entirely your responsibility—there is no professional insurance cover if something goes wrong.
How much does a DIY conveyancing kit cost?
DIY conveyancing kits cost between $80 and $150, depending on the state or territory. Make sure you purchase the kit applicable to the state where the property is located, as laws differ significantly across Australia.
How much does professional conveyancing cost in Australia?
Professional conveyancing fees typically range from $700 to $2,500+, depending on the state, property value, and complexity of the transaction. This cost is in addition to stamp duty, title transfer fees, and any disbursements. Get a quote from Dott & Crossitt to understand what professional conveyancing would cost for your specific situation.
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Do I need a conveyancer if I have a real estate agent?
Yes — your real estate agent manages the marketing and sale of your property, but they cannot handle the legal transfer of title. A licensed conveyancer or solicitor is required to manage the legal aspects of the transaction from Contract of Sale through to settlement.
What's the difference between a conveyancer and a solicitor?
Both can legally manage the conveyancing process in Australia. A licensed conveyancer specialises exclusively in property transactions. A solicitor is a qualified lawyer who can handle conveyancing as part of a broader legal practice. For straightforward residential property transactions, a licensed conveyancer is typically sufficient—and often more cost-effective.
What happens if something goes wrong with DIY conveyancing?
If errors occur in a DIY conveyancing process—such as an incorrect title registration, missed encumbrance, or failed settlement—there is no professional indemnity insurance to cover the loss. You bear full financial and legal responsibility. This is the primary reason most property professionals recommend using a licensed conveyancer or solicitor.
What's Next?
If you're in the process of selling your property, two decisions matter above all others: choosing the right real estate agent and ensuring the legal transfer is handled correctly.
For the legal side, Dott & Crossitt — LocalAgentFinder's own conveyancing partner — handles residential property conveyancing professionally and transparently.
And for finding the right real estate agent to sell your home, compare local agents by commission rates, marketing fees, sales history, and homeowner reviews — all for free.