When you buy or sell a property, the cost of conveyancing is one of the first things you want to pin down. The trouble is that quotes can look very different from one firm to the next, and it is not always clear what is included. Here is how conveyancing fees work in Victoria, what you are paying for, and how Orange Legal Group prices its work.
Your conveyancing cost is made up of two parts.
Government charges such as land transfer duty, commonly called stamp duty, are separate again. They are not part of the conveyancing fee, although your conveyancer will calculate the duty and arrange for it to be paid at settlement.
In Melbourne and regional Victoria, a typical residential conveyancing fee sits somewhere between $1,200 and $1,800 plus GST, plus disbursements. Where a quote lands in that range depends on the property and the work involved. An apartment in an owners corporation, an off-the-plan purchase or a property with title issues takes more work than a straightforward house on its own title.
When you compare quotes, check what is included. A low headline fee can grow once extra charges are added, so look for a fixed price that covers the work from contract review to settlement.
Our residential conveyancing is fixed-price. Your fee is quoted upfront, before you commit, so you know the cost from the start. There are no hourly rates and no surprises at settlement.
Your matter is handled by experienced property lawyers, who explain each step in plain language and keep you informed until settlement is complete.
Our fixed fee for a standard residential purchase or sale is $1,495 plus GST, plus disbursements.
If you are buying, we review your contract of sale and Section 32 before you sign. Your first review is free when you go on to use Orange Legal Group for your conveyancing. If you choose not to proceed with us on that property, or you want additional properties reviewed, the standard fee is $275 inc. GST, with a turnaround of one to two business days. A priority review, submitted by 10am and returned by 5pm the same day, is $440 inc. GST.
Disbursements pay for the certificates and searches that make a transfer legally sound. They confirm what you are buying, reveal anything registered against the property, and give the figures needed to adjust rates and outgoings fairly at settlement. Common disbursements include:
The exact list depends on the property. An apartment in an owners corporation needs different certificates to a house on its own title, so your quote itemises what applies to your purchase or sale.
Payment timing is confirmed in your quote and engagement terms.
Stamp duty is also generally paid at settlement, so it needs to be part of your budget from the start.
A fixed fee covers a standard residential transaction. Some matters involve more legal work, and we will tell you upfront if yours is one of them. Examples include:
These are exactly the matters where having a property lawyer, rather than a conveyancer alone, earns its keep.
Conveyancing fees are generally paid at settlement from your own funds. Some buyers factor them into their overall borrowing, which depends on your lender and loan structure, so speak to your lender or broker about how they fit your finances.
Payment timing is confirmed in your quote and engagement terms. We confirm the final figure in your settlement statement before settlement day.
Not on your own home. For an investment property, conveyancing and legal costs of buying are usually treated as capital costs that form part of the property's cost base for capital gains tax, rather than an immediate deduction. Your accountant can confirm how this applies to you.
Usually not as an upfront deduction. Purchase costs, including conveyancing, generally add to the cost base and reduce capital gains tax when you sell. Speak to your accountant for advice on your situation.
The legal work from contract review through to PEXA settlement and title registration. For a standard residential purchase or sale, our fixed fee is $1,495 plus GST. Disbursements and stamp duty are separate and itemised in your quote.
Orange Legal Group offers fixed-price conveyancing and property law advice across Victoria, handled by qualified property lawyers in plain language, with no hidden fees. If you are buying, send us your Contract of Sale and Section 32 and we will review them before you sign. Your first review is free when you go on to use us for the conveyancing.
A plain-English, step-by-step guide to what a conveyancer does when you buy a property in Melbourne, from contract review to settlement day.
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